"Cancer takes our breath away, yoga brings it back."
Yoga, an ancient practice with centuries of proven benefits for physical and mental well-being, has recently gained significant recognition as a complementary therapy for various conditions, including cancer. Cancer Council NSW has stated that Yoga “Clinical practice guidelines on cancer pain include offering yoga to people experiencing pain related to taking aromatase inhibitors, as well as pain after treatment for some cancers… The guidelines also suggest yoga as a way to manage cancer-related fatigue.
In particular, therapeutic yoga has emerged as a more specific modality in supporting the physical and emotional well-being of cancer survivors. This article delves into the scientifically supported advantages of therapeutic yoga for those affected by cancer.
"Research has shown that therapeutic yoga can improve cancer survivors' physical functioning, reduce pain, and improve quality of life."
You may or may not know what therapeutic yoga is. It offers a personalised approach to yoga designed to meet individual needs. With a focus on healing and rehabilitation, it proves particularly beneficial for addressing specific health conditions, including cancer.
One of the key benefits of therapeutic yoga for those affected by cancer is its ability to promote relaxation and reduce stress in an affordable and sustainable way. Cancer treatment can be extremely stressful, both physically and financially, and many survivors experience ongoing anxiety and fear of recurrence. Yoga’s emphasis on deep breathing and relaxation can help survivors manage these feelings and reduce their impact on their overall well-being. Therapeutic yoga is also an affordable modality to maintain quality of life (QOL) and physical strength and flexibility, which can be compromised by cancer treatment.
Another important benefit of therapeutic yoga for cancer survivors is its ability to promote a sense of personal connection and community. Yoga classes provide a supportive and inclusive environment where survivors can connect with others who have had similar experiences. This can be especially valuable for survivors who may feel isolated or disconnected from others as a result of their cancer diagnosis.
"It can also reduce anxiety and depression, which are common psychological side effects of cancer treatment." (Lengacher et al., 2009).
You can see how passionate I am about this affordable, movement modality. Therapeutic yoga has been proven to offer valuable tools for cancer survivors looking to maintain and improve their physical and emotional well-being. Its ability to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and build physical strength and flexibility makes it an effective and accessible complementary therapy for cancer treatment. Additionally, the sense of community and connection provided by yoga classes can be a valuable source of support for survivors.
I have cancer survivors that attend most of my weekly classes as well as in my private, home clinic. If you think this might be something you wish to try, please don’t be shy to reach out to me.
You are not alone.
Om Shanti
(May you go in peace)
Heather
💙
References:
- Bower, J. E., et al. (2011). Yoga for persistent fatigue in breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial. Cancer, 117(16), 1-10.
- Lengacher, C. A., et al. (2009). Mind-body interventions for the management of pain in breast cancer survivors. The Breast Journal, 15(6), 1-6.
