Yoga is a form of exercise that involves stretches and poses, breathing exercises and meditation. A major benefit of yoga is that it can be done in a group or in the comfort of someone’s home. Other healthful benefits of yoga include:
- Practicing and improving on relaxation techniques
- Breath work
- Relieving cancer related fatigue
- Increasing the immune system
Yoga has shown to help control physical issues such as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and body temperature. It can relieve stress and increase the feeling of relaxation and well-being. To be able successfully strike a yoga pose without falling over takes extreme concentration and control of breathing.
The emotional strain of a cancer diagnosis can be relieved through yoga. With various invasive treatments, anxiety can sky-rocket. Studies have suggested that yoga is helpful for people coping with cancer who have insomnia. The manipulation of breath movement can positively affect immune function and psychological related disorders. Breathing exercises can enrich the respiratory system to regulate nerves that can create a calming affect.
Any form of exercise can release endorphins that contribute to a better mood. Even the most gentle of movements can release endorphins that allow you to experience a positive mood. Yoga doesn’t typically involve lifting weights or intense levels of cardio, but balance and focusing on core strength can contribute to a more toned, sculpted body. Practicing yoga regularly can boost self-esteem because you are improving your strength and overall physical condition, including your appearance.
People do yoga for a variety of reasons. Whichever reason that is, everyone participating in yoga will feel be in a better mood and relaxed state afterwards. Yoga sessions can be anywhere from 20-minutes to an hour. There are some yoga environments that use aroma therapy to heighten the senses, or heat to increase body temperature. Some even incorporate music or calming sounds to further improve focus and concentration.
While the side effects of yoga are few and far between, it involves movement of joints and muscles. People with cancer should refer to their doctor before starting yoga or any other related therapy. Yoga ranges from a variety of beginner to expert postures that may be hard to achieve and the over-stretching of ligaments may cause injuries.
The practice of yoga offers several benefits for people suffering from the side effects of cancer treatments. Whether it’s to relieve stress or to incorporate physical activities into their daily life, yoga can ease the pain of coping with cancer in a complimentary way to medical treatments.