Yoga for Cancer

What is oncology yoga?

Oncology yoga and the yoga4cancer methodology is designed to reduce the impact of physical and emotional side effects caused by cancer and its treatments. Patient safety and wellbeing is at the foundation of the practice which provides a range of modifications making it accessible for all levels of physical ability. The program incorporates physical poses, breath work and mindfulness practices and uses a variety of props to support patients during their practice.

Learn more about the yoga4cancer methodology.

Cancer and its treatments cause a wide range of physical symptoms and side effects. Psychologically, a cancer diagnosis can trigger anxiety and fear relating to uncertainty about the future. Emotional distress in cancer patients is associated with sleep disturbances and altered stress hormone function.

Yoga practice, however, helps to encourage the body to relax and to calm the mind. Evidence shows yoga helps to improve sleep quality, reduce fatigue and pain and improve symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines recommend yoga for patients with cancer for reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms and improving quality of life, mood, fatigue, and sleep quality.

Evidence shows yoga is beneficial for treating multiple symptoms from cancer treatment*

Adult cancer pain
Cancer-related fatigue
Sleep disorders
Distress (anxiety/deprression)
Cancer assoicated cognitive-dysfunction
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Sexual dysfunction
Nausea/vomiting

Yoga helps reduce the risk of cancer spreading or returning

Researchers have found that practicing yoga twice a week for 75 minutes can help reduce the risk of cancer spreading or returning. In the study published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), 502 cancer survivors were randomised to take part in either 2 x 75 minute yoga sessions per week or 2 x 75min standard survivorship health education sessions. After four weeks, the yoga group showed significantly lower inflammation levels compared to standard health education group. Inflammation is known to play a key role in the development and progression of cancer, thus targeting inflammation through treatment protocols is important to minimise the risk of cancer spreading or recurring. Yoga has also been shown to improve sleep quality in cancer survivors experiencing sleep disruption after treatment. The yoga intervention developed for these studies combined physical postures (asana), breathing (pranayama) and mindfulness exercises (meditation and awareness).

The study concluded that yoga is a safe practice which can be modified for varying levels of physical capacity and ability, making it highly accessible to cancer survivors.