Yoga is a practice that combines the body, mind and breath. Yoga for cancer patients is done using gentle and slow movements as well as breathing techniques to develop a calm presence and focus.
Studies show that practicing yoga during cancer treatment may:
At Banner MD Anderson, we offer a variety of yoga classes to our patients, caregivers and community cancer survivors. Classes include:
A few common poses that can be used during a yoga and cancer recovery treatment program are:
For patients with cancer, meditation and other calming activities can be highly beneficial. At Banner MD Anderson, we offer mind/body consultations that offer you tools to help you ease your stress as well as promote a healthy state of relaxation in the body and inner calm and peace in the mind. Like yoga, meditation may help you manage the physical and emotional side effects brought on by cancer and its treatments.
Some of the tools used include:
Talk to your doctor about getting started with yoga and meditation as part of your cancer care program or find a class.