For centuries, people have practiced yoga to not only build strength and flexibility but also connect the mind, body and spirit. Recently, research has shown that yoga can do far more. It has been shown to lower blood pressure and stress levels and improve a person’s coping skills — all of which can be beneficial for people with cancer.
“One of the best exercises for cancer rehabilitation is yoga,” says Amy Hane, BSN, RN, with the Beaufort Memorial Breast Health Center. “Studies show the effect of yoga on cancer patients can be significant, and when used alongside medical treatments, yoga can help decrease some symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment, while also helping patients deal with what can be a very stressful diagnosis.”
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How Yoga Helps People With Cancer
While yoga can’t treat or cure cancer, it — like any form of exercise during treatment — can help with certain physical and emotional side effects, such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, depression and anxiety.
Research has shown that yoga in particular may help:
- Decrease pain
- Improve mobility
- Improve your quality of life
- Improve stress hormone regulation and immune function and reduce inflammation, according to a study published in the journal Cancer
One study showed that breast cancer patients who engaged in an hour-long yoga class for three days a week during six weeks of radiation therapy were able to better handle daily activities and experienced reduced fatigued, according to the American Cancer Society.
“I often recommend yoga as a complementary practice during treatment,” Hane says. “Exercise in any form is helpful for people with cancer, and yoga is a good form to start with. It offers gentle poses you can do at home when you’re feeling up to it.”
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Different Styles of Yoga
Interested in trying yoga? There are many different styles, and some forms are more intense than others. It helps to understand the terminology before you sign up for a class. Here’s a quick guide:
- Ashtanga: The word ashtanga means “eight limbs” in Sanskrit. Ashtanga yoga, sometimes referred to as power yoga, is very physically demanding and requires moving rapidly between poses. These classes can be more difficult than others, so if you’re feeling unwell after treatment, this style may not be best for you.
- Bikram: In a Bikram yoga class, you will practice in a room hotter than 100 degrees. You may also see this class called hot yoga. Some studies claim Bikram yoga can improve strength, range of motion and balance. Like Ashtanga, Bikram yoga can be strenuous and may be too difficult if you’re experiencing side effects from your cancer treatment.
- Hatha: The term hatha is a generic term for yoga that involves poses and breathing techniques. This is a general style of yoga that is typically slow-paced.
- Yin, or Restorative: In a restorative yoga class, the focus is on calming the body and relaxing the mind. This style is very gentle and allows you to spend a lot of time in poses. You may use props in this class, such as bolsters and blocks, to help support you as you settle into poses. Studies show restorative yoga may decrease fatigue and improve emotional well-being in cancer patients.
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Get Started With a Simple Sun Salutation
During cancer treatment, you may not have the energy for a full yoga class. However, you may feel up for practicing a few simple poses at home. Try one or more of the poses below, and do as many as you feel up to.
The Beaufort Memorial LifeFit Wellness Center offers a free three-month membership to patients receiving cancer treatment at Beaufort Memorial. The free service requires a referral from your provider. Call 843-522-5635 to learn more.
