Yoga for Cancer in Practice

Studies show that yoga for breast cancer can relieve the distress and depression that often accompany the disease.

Imagine a cancer treatment program that focuses as much on restoring the individual as it does on destroying the disease, a program that brings together the most effective treatments from both modern and ancient medicine. Imagine, if you can, a cancer treatment program, which includes a rejuvenating routine of yoga for cancer patients, helping cancer sufferers—exhausted from radiation treatments—to sink into a deep, meditative peace. Imagine a healing environment with the soft ambiance of aromatherapy and Feng Shui, a stark contrast to the ordinarily frosty hospital environment.

“Cancer.” The little, two-syllable word carries worlds of weight. The initial diagnosis piles the first two-ton brick onto the patient’s emotional load, and the subsequent barrage of painful tests, grim treatment options, unreassuring and sometimes conflicting information only adds to the distress. Under this duress, it’s no wonder that so many cancer patients suffer from depression, anxiety, and tension-related issues. Those fighting the battle are looking for ways not only to improve their physical well-being, but to help deal with the mental and emotional stress of the ordeal as well.

Battling cancer is an enormous drain on all your resources—physically, emotionally, and mentally. All energy pours into enduring the discomfort of both the disease and the treatment process, and into coping with fears of the future. Can yoga make a difference in enhancing healing for cancer patients and cancer survivors?

Cancer patients who practice yoga as therapy during their treatment often refer to their yoga practice as a life-saver, the one thing that would bring relief from the often debilitating discomfort and fatigue.

Yoga therapy can help cancer patients avoid or overcome depression, increase positive emotions, and sense of well-being.