Yoga for Cancer Care
Yoga for Cancer Care
As a therapist who has worked with more than 50 cancer patients over a period two years, I have come across people carrying various beliefs and opinions about yoga in cancer care.
At one end of the spectrum are people who look at me with eyes filled with fatigue and nervousness and say “I’m already struggling. I don’t think I have the strength and stamina to practice yoga. On the other end of the spectrum, I find people looking for definitive cures and assurances. They ask, “Can yoga cure cancer?” In reality, the truth lies somewhere between, and it is important we find a balanced perspective around this.
Disease of any form is a deviation from normal but none of them bring in as much anxiety or suffering like the diagnosis of cancer. In a majority of cases, this suffering is not limited to the physical pain and discomfort. While they remain significant aspects during cancer, they are actually just one aspect of the suffering. There are innumerable challenges that lie beyond- the family adapting to supportive roles, financial implications, unfinished responsibilities and a sense of urgency surrounding it considering the diagnosis and most significantly, the sense of uncertainty that seems the only reality of life.
Role of Yoga in Cancer Care
Cancer involves long term treatment. Depending on treatment options, each stage and even each day requires a mindset that supports the patient through treatment and recovery.
Several research evidences and stories of real-life cancer survivors emphasize the role of mind in navigating the cancer journey. While every day feels different, a resilient mindset supports the treatment phase and beyond.
Finding resilience in times of uncertainty sounds easier said than done. Yoga could play an important role at this juncture. Yoga is a set of techniques that brings in a relaxation response and calms the nervous system. Contrary to common belief, yoga is beyond physical postures alone. It is a structured approach that engages the physical, mental and emotional aspects of the personality.
Symptom relief is available through medication and procedures but patient also seek solutions for fears and traumas which are not always available through medication. They require mindful and structured approach to provide holistic experience of wellbeing. Gentle movements, mindful breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques to rewire the brain- all of these are integral to yoga practice. It results in creating an internal environment which is adaptive and comforting in nature.
Gentle movements are known to support better mood and promote a sense of wellbeing. When movements are done mindfully, it blends intention into the process. It makes one mindful of “what is” promoting a deeper connection towards the body and mind. It makes one more aware- aware of what? Aware of one’s body, the alignments, its limitations and the infinite possibilities. What stems from this awareness is the power to respond to the situation.
Another powerful method of self-regulation lies in mindful breathing or Pranayama. The stress, anxiety and fatigue through the cancer treatment have the potential to alter the breathing. Many a times, patients develop shallow breathing owing to these factors. Pranayama makes the whole process of breathing more mindful. It improves ventilation, promotes better oxygen exchange and reduces strain on the body. It guides patients towards a calm mind and strengthens emotional well-being. It is also known to promote better sleep and restores a sense of control on the body.
In cancer care, it is not just the disease that needs attention but the person living the disease. Varying moods and emotions, varied perspectives of life. Sometimes looking at the improvements and other times unable to recognize the body they live in and the helplessness that it brings! Each scenario brings in a stream of thoughts and creates an emotional roller-coaster for the patient and caregivers. In cancer care, overthinking remains a challenge. The mind oscillates between events of the past and uncertainties of the future. There is a need to help the mind anchor to the current moment. Meditation is an effective way to achieve this. Meditation is the practice of meeting one’s thoughts and remaining unaffected by them. Simple meditation techniques that increase the mindbody connection are being increasingly adopted as part of clinical practices in the West. Studies indicate that meditation could enhance neuroplasticity which means it helps form new thought patterns. By simply focusing attention on breath, a sound or a certain visualization, mind becomes steadier.
If handling the cancer journey comes with its set of challenges, cancer survivors also have difficulties that can hamper their quality of life if left unaddressed. Some cancer survivors live in the fear of recurrence and this keeps them from pursuing normal activities in daily life. Some other times, cancer survivors develop image issues or struggle with the fear of being stigmatized by the society. This can affect their sleep, social skills and keep them under a constant state of stress. Scientific evidence suggests that yoga helps improve the quality of life. Yoga has proven to help cancer patients and survivors have a healthy sleep cycle, maintain healthy social relationships, adopt a healthy lifestyle and above all, nurture a healthy mindset. Surviving through the cancer journey or beyond is not the only question. The real challenge is to live in every moment which can be achieved through mindful practices like yoga.
The power of yogic practices lies in helping one slow down. A fast-paced heartbeat, a racing mind, anxiety about what the future holds, the social stigma- all of these fade into a distant reality. What remains is the experience of your breath, the liveliness of the movements and the calmness of your mind. In these few moments of silence, one experiences harmony between the body and mind. A consistent practice slowly helps the body recognize a calmer self. It reinforces that fact that one can choose to remain settled from within and respond to adversities with equanimity. Yoga does not cure cancer; yoga helps you discover your inner strength and wisdom to move forward with hope and courage. Through all of this, it helps one truly live and experience life rather than merely survive!
