I joined my first yoga class back in University. Back then, I joined yoga because I wanted to explore this fascinating practice as a way to keep me grounded during a hectic University schedule!
Also, I had several friends and classmates raving about the sense of peace and tranquility that yoga brought to them. After attending a few yoga classes, I quickly realized that my friends and classmates were not wrong, and fell in love with the practice.
Now, many years later I still incorporate yoga as a lifestyle practice.
Yoga is an ancient system of physical and mental practices. It uses movement, breath and mindfulness practices to create a sense of harmony in the body, mind and environment.
Several important benefits of yoga in people with cancer, those who are trying to prevent a cancer recurrence, and those who are trying to avoid cancer include:
👉 Improved levels of fatigue – In studies of women with breast cancer, yoga has been shown to reduce fatigue, and improve quality of sleep as well as physical vitality.
👉 Reduction in anxiety and stress levels – Studies and reviews looking at yoga and psychosocial benefits are very positive, and several meta-analyses showed large reductions in anxiety, distress and depression.
👉 Improved quality of life – Factors that affect quality of life in those with cancer include type and stage of cancer, intensity of the cancer disease, patient acceptance of the cancer, and time since diagnosis. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have shown that yoga can improve health-related quality of life among patients with cancer.
Yoga can be done in a yoga studio, gym or even at home using YouTube videos, phone apps or yoga books with step-by-step instructions. Many yoga studios and yoga websites offer online yoga classes too!
These days, I practice yoga in the comfort of my home using a yoga app on my cell phone.
Have you considered yoga as part of your cancer recovery roadmap?
My online program, Cancer Recovery Roadmap, goes into yoga and other lifestyle practices in much more detail and provides guidance on implementing yoga and movement into your cancer recovery plan. Check it out!
I’ve taken all my research on diet, environment, lifestyle and mind-body and put it into a very comprehensive program which will help you create your own cancer recovery plan. If you want to take your recovery from cancer to the next level, click on the image below.
Also, if you want to join a free community of people with cancer looking for holistic and integrative strategies to encourage cancer recovery CLICK THIS LINK to join the Holistic Strategies for Cancer Recovery Facebook group to help support your journey and connect you with like-minded people.
Disclaimer: This information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended to offer medical advice or replace advice given by your healthcare team. You should address all medical questions and concerns about your care with your healthcare team. The information provided is based on my own research and is not to be taken as scientific evidence.
References:
1) Haroerfer K, Jentschke E. Effect of Yoga Therapy on Symptoms of Anxiety in Cancer Patients. Oncology Research and Treatment 2018;41:526-532
2) Armer JS, Lutgendorf SK. The Impact of Yoga on Fatigue in Cancer Survivorship: A Meta-Analysis. JNCI Cancer Spectrum 2020;4(2)
3) Sadja J, Mills P. Effects of Yoga Interventions on Fatigue in Cancer Patients and Survivors: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Explore (NY) 2013;9(4):232-243
4) Cramer H, Lauche R, Klose P, Lange S, Langhorst J, Dobos GJ. Yoga for improving health-related quality of life, mental health and cancer-related symptoms in women diagnosed with breast cancer (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD010802
5) Buffart et al. Physical and psychosocial benefits of yoga in cancer patients and survivors, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Cancer 2012;12:559
