The practice of yoga has become increasingly popular for its potential benefits to physical, mental and spiritual health. According to the Mayo Clinic, yoga combines the disciplines of controlled breathing, poses and meditation to reduce stress and promote overall fitness. In addition, the Mayo Clinic reports that by improving mood and calming anxieties, yoga may also provide relief from symptoms of conditions such as cancer, depression and chronic pain. Although studies have investigated the benefits of yoga in breast cancer patients and survivors, it is not considered a medical treatment for this or any condition.
Benefits
One benefit yoga may provide to breast cancer survivors is the relief of certain menopausal symptoms that may occur after breast cancer. According to Breast Cancer.org, a 2010 study led by Laura Porter of Duke University found that women who participated in an eight-week "yoga of awareness" program experienced fewer hot flashes at the end of the study than women in a control group. Women in the yoga group also noted less joint pain and fatigue than those in the control group. Further studies are needed to confirm this result.
Emotional Significance
Because yoga is considered a discipline that may benefit the mind, body and spirit, studies have investigated its potential effects on the well-being of breast cancer patients and survivors. In one study, published in "Psycho-Oncology" and led by Suzanne C. Danhauer, breast cancer patients and survivors were assigned to either a restorative yoga group or a control group. Restorative yoga is a type of yoga thought to be particularly calming and possibly suitable for cancer patients. The researchers found improvements in well-being and decreased fatigue among women in the yoga group, compared to those in the control group.
Poses
According to certified Iyengar yoga instructor Jaki Nett in "Yoga Journal," breast cancer patients should be careful, gentle and patient with their bodies when doing yoga after treatment. If you have had surgery to your breasts, begin with poses that free up your shoulders. She recommends arm variations of poses such as Urdhva Hadastana, Paschima Namaskarasana, cow face pose and eagle pose.
Caution
Don't be too quick to do poses that place the burden of weight on your upper body if you have had breast cancer surgery, Nett says. Poses such as upward bow pose, two-legged inverted staff pose and forearm balance may not be advisable while you are still healing.
Considerations
The Mayo Clinic emphasizes that you can't expect yoga to "cure" you or entirely relieve the symptoms of any of your health problems. However, it can be a useful adjunct to conventional medical treatments and may improve your sense of peace and well-being. Talk to your doctor about how yoga might fit into your post- breast cancer health-care plan.
