Cancer isn’t that easy to face but maintaining confidence on themselves is equally important in times of illness. Yoga is one such amazing physical and mental work out that links body mind and soul. Cancer patients undergo painful treatment regimens, stress, and emotional trauma. Yoga can be the best medicine that can complement cancer-fighting medical treatment. It helps to heal the body, mind, and spirit in the midst of the cancer battle.
Here are the benefits of yoga in cancer patients,
1. Lower fatigue
Fatigue is a major side effect in cancer patients. Several studies have linked yoga with reduced fatigue in cancer patients. These studies have reported a significant decrease in fatigue through the use of yoga and showed that patients’ fatigue decreased by the more yoga sessions they did per week.
2. Reduce stress
Battling life-threatening disease like cancer is not only physically stressful but also emotionally, and mentally stressful. Yoga may be able to help with this aspect of cancer as well. One study found that practicing a seven-week yoga routine was able to reduce the likelihood of developing “mood disturbance” by up to 65 percent. It has found that the reduction in stress also improves quality of life, appetite, could be responsible for the reduction in pain too.
3. Improve physical functioning
In addition to everything on your mind, cancer affects your ability to move. Spending time in the hospital or sick at home can make the body stiff and sore and make it more difficult to complete daily tasks. As a regular form of exercise, yoga is a gentle way to stay active. A review found that regular yoga practice can improve functional well-being in both cancer patients and survivors.
4. Sleep better
A combination of physical and mental stress can make sleep difficult, but healing the body requires ample rest. Yoga can help with insomnia and make it easier for cancer patients to relax at night. Yoga helps to improve sleep quality, efficiency, and duration.
5. Lower risk of recurrence
“Yoga decreases body fat density, which can help to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence,” says Dr. DiNome of regular yoga practice. Managing your risks is important even after diagnosis and recovery. Regular exercise through yoga is just one way of keeping the risk at bay.
Before starting yoga it’s better that cancer patients and survivors wholly unfamiliar with the practice of yoga should talk with their doctor about programs that may be specific to their condition. An increasing number of cancer centers offer such wellness programs, and yoga instructors are increasingly experienced in working with such patients.
“I have worked with cancer patients in the past,” says Jessica Bellofatto, founder and director of JBYoga in East Hampton, New York. “A yoga practice focusing on restorative postures, relaxation, and meditation is very helpful for fatigue, anxiety, depression, and other symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment.”
These are 2 simple yoga asanas that are suggested by Dr.Bellofatto,
1.Seated Spinal Twist
- Start by sitting cross-legged on the floor.
- Breathe deeply
- On the exhale, slowly twist your body to look over your right shoulder, placing your left hand on your right knee and your right hand behind your body.
- Breathe deeply and hold the stretch.
- Can reduce stress and back pain, in addition, it provides strength and flexibility.
2.Supta Baddha Konasana
- Begin seated and bring your feet together in front of you, with the soles facing one another
- Knees bent and heels pointing toward your groin.
- Slowly lie back, supporting yourself with your arms until your back is against the floor.
- Relax and breathe deeply, with arms out to your sides.
- Can not only reduce fatigue and but also controls stress.
“Several studies have demonstrated that yoga can combat fatigue and improve strength range for patients undergoing cancer treatment,” says Dr. Maggie DiNome of the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, California.
“Yoga is not just repetition of few postures – it is more about the exploration and discovery of the subtle energies of life.”–Amit Ray
Practicing yoga daily can affect you positively as well as it can increase your productivity, which can foster you with financial independence and early retirement.
What are your ways to heal the body and soul? What is your favorite yoga asana?
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