Yoga for Those Touched by a Cancer Diagnosis

Going through a cancer diagnosis and treatment can cause changes to your body and how you see yourself. Yoga is a great way to get to become familiar with these changes and adjust to the new you. The practice of yoga is ancient tradition of body poses, breathing techniques and meditation. There are many styles of yoga and research is just starting to identify which techniques benefit specific diagnoses and symptoms.

Some of the benefits of yoga are:

• Increased strength, flexibility and balance
• Improved mood, resilience and quality of life
• Positive identification with physical changes
• Weight management
• Improved sleep

Cancer patients may have residual symptoms well into survivorship. Your instructor will modify the practice with sensitivity to what you are experiencing, including:

• Range of motion limitations
• Lymphedema
• Neuropathy
• Fatigue
• Pain