Yoga & Pranayama

It is challenging for the patients to deal with a life-threatening disease emotionally and physically. The treatment for Cancer takes time, it differs from couple of months to may be years and to keep a positive attitude throughout is very difficult. Many research shows that Yoga therapeutically helps to heal the body, mind and soul. It is very well-established that there are so many health benefits of Yoga in general and when cancer patients practice Yoga regularly, then it supports them through their battle against Cancer.

What exactly is Cancer?

Our body is made up of more than billions and trillions of cells. Old cells die and new cells take their place. Cancer is such a disease in which an abnormal cell of the body divides and grows uncontrollably. Some of these cells may eventually spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). These cells may form into tumors which are lumps of tissues. Tumors can be Cancerous (Malignant) or non-cancerous (Benign).

What are the forms of Cancer?

There are more than 100 different forms or types of Cancer. The five main categories of Cancer are:

• Carcinoma

• Sarcoma

• Leukemia

• Lymphoma

• Central nervous system cancer

Causes of Cancer

As very aptly described by Dr. Hansaji Yogendra, “The major cause of Cancer lays in your lifestyle. The frequent changes in food choices, cooking methods, sleep pattern, daily use products, and lack of physical activities play an important role in causing cancer.”

Some of the causes are stated below:

• Harmful cooking methods

• No proper ventilation in kitchen

• Eating stale food

• Lack of sleep

• Lack of proper hygiene

• Cosmetics

• Obesity

• Tobacco and alcohol

Benefits of Yoga for Cancer Patients

Yoga helps cancer patients and cancer survivors relax and cope with stress, anxiety and depression. It also helps in managing the symptoms and side-effects from the treatment. There are innumerable benefits of doing yoga, more specifically benefits of yoga for Cancer patients are as follows:

1. Management of State of Mind

Yoga practice is very useful as many cancer patients perceive Cancer as threat and constantly live under fear for their life. Practicing specially designed Yoga poses for cancer patients, practice of meditation by focusing on the breath and pranayama breathing exercises helps in changing the perceptions and reactivity to the situation. Dr. Hansaji Yogendra says, “Cancer is in your body; don’t let it go to your head. Mind supersedes body; don’t let your body overpower your mind. Deal with cancer like a common cold”. These practices in turn help in reduction of fatigue, anxiety and depressive symptoms and encourage resilience to face everything in a calm manner.

2. Improves Bodily Functions

With all the Cancer treatments going on from chemotherapy, popping pills to surgery, there are many side-effects like indigestion, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, insomnia etc. Yoga practices including Asanas aids in proper blood circulation in the body, cleansing practice in kriyas and breathing exercises through pranayama improve digestion and helps in managing these side effects effectively. Chanting and meditation on sound of ‘OM’ and other mantras reduces fear, anxiety and instil restful state of mind.

3. Neuromuscular Strengthening

Going through enormous number of treatments including multiple surgeries and chemotherapy, there are many muscle related issues such as loss of strength, muscle weakness, stiffness of joint, pain, burning sensation, tingling feeling, soreness etc. One of the best known health benefits of Yoga is loosening of muscles and joints stiffness, Yoga poses help in strengthening the muscles and managing the aches. Regular practice helps in functional well-being and keeps one active to complete daily tasks.

Post Cancer treatment; there can be some cognitive issues like mental cloudiness, lack of mental sharpness, forgetfulness, decrease in problem solving skills, lack of concentration etc. often referred to as Chemo Brain. Doctors describe Chemo Brain as cancer treatment related cognitive impairment, cancer related cognitive change or post chemotherapy cognitive impairment. Meditation can help improve brain function by increasing your focus and awareness. One can also practice The Yoga Institute’s Reflection Technique known as Anitya Bhavana which will grea tly help in regaining mindfulness and memory strengthening. As Dr. Jayadeva says “We have to cultivate a balanced state of mind and that is an exercise – throughout the day, whenever you get the chance, just enjoy the balanced peaceful state.”

Must Know: Yoga Asanas For Healthy Body and Mind

4. Emotional Well-being

A cancer diagnosis can create storm of emotions, making one question everything in life. Healing the emotional wound from cancer diagnosis is as important as healing the physical wound to overcome the battle against Cancer. The stress hormones activated in the brain by this trauma gets stuck in active mode and sometimes do not go back to normal turning into PTSD. Dr. Hansaji Yogendra says, “While dealing with Cancer, atmosphere also matters a lot, it may be a healthy place but change it. Change work wonders in healing.” Here, Yoga is the necessary tool to emotionally heal and grow strong internally to pull through this traumatic event.

5. Reducing the Risk of Recurrence

Therapy based yoga helps beyond the physical and work on the patient as a whole including emotional and cognitive function. It helps taming the fears of recurrence. After chemotherapy period is over, the cell multiplication has to be brought back to normal; growth of new cells replacing the old cells has to be normal. Here, Yoga therapeutically helps in strengthening the nervous system and slowly rebuilds the immunity of the body and normalises the bodily functions. Medicine helps kill cancer cells, Yoga treatment works on making the cells healthy, so that these can take care of Cancer before its recurrence. Yoga poses along with pranayama and meditation help break the cycle of negative thoughts and helps let go of things to gain control on the present.