Yoga for Cancer Patients: Benefits & Healing Support
What is Yoga?
Yoga is an ancient practice that blends movement, breath control, and meditation to enhance physical and mental well-being. Originating in India over 5,000 years ago, yoga has developed into various forms, from gentle, restorative postures to more dynamic flows. In India, it can be a spiritual practice, but in the West it is more of a physical and mental exercise.
For cancer patients, yoga offers a holistic approach to recovery by easing treatment side effects, reducing stress, and promoting emotional resilience.
Yoga Can Relieve Fatigue
Cancer-related fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom, often persisting long after treatment ends. Research suggests that yoga can significantly reduce fatigue by improving circulation, boosting energy levels, and fostering deep relaxation.
A systematic review of 34 controlled studies showed that there was an improvement in fatigue, although the effects varied. The longer the study, the greater the effects (1).
A study in The Journal of Clinical Oncology found that breast cancer survivors practicing yoga experienced a 57% reduction in fatigue compared to non-practitioners (2).
Gentle yoga poses help combat lethargy by encouraging movement without overexertion, making it ideal for individuals with limited energy.
Controlled breathing techniques (pranayama) enhance oxygen intake, supporting overall vitality.
Benefits of Yoga on Sleep
Struggling with sleep? Cancer patients frequently experience insomnia because of stress, pain, and side effects of treatment. Yoga can help regulate sleep patterns and improve rest quality.
After 4-8 weeks of yoga, research found that yoga significantly improved sleep quality (1).
Restorative yoga and guided relaxation techniques encourage the body to enter a parasympathetic state (rest-and-digest mode), promoting deeper sleep.
Gentle bedtime yoga routines, such as Child's Pose or Legs-Up-The-Wall, can help signal the body that it's time to wind down.
Effects of Yoga on Anxiety and Depression
A cancer diagnosis brings emotional challenges, often leading to anxiety and depression. Yoga provides a safe space to process emotions and cultivate inner peace.
A systematic review published in Psycho-Oncology revealed that yoga interventions significantly reduced anxiety and depression in cancer patients (3).
Slow, mindful breathing decreases cortisol levels, the hormone responsible for stress.
Meditation and guided visualisation techniques in yoga enhance emotional resilience and foster a sense of control over one's well-being.
Relieve Stress with Yoga
Chronic stress weakens the immune system and exacerbates symptoms of illness. Fortunately, yoga offers an effective way to manage stress through relaxation and mindfulness.
A study in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice found that yoga significantly reduced perceived stress in breast cancer patients (4).
Yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing tension.
Simple breathing exercises, such as alternate nostril breathing, can help manage stress in moments of overwhelm.
Improve Quality of Life with Yoga
Yoga isn't just about physical movement—it's a practice that supports emotional, mental, and social well-being.
A study in Breast Cancer found that breast cancer patients who practised yoga reported higher social, emotional and functional well-being (5).
Yoga fosters a sense of community, particularly in group classes tailored for cancer patients.
Practicing gratitude and mindfulness through yoga can help shift focus from illness to healing.
Pain Relief from Yoga
Pain, whether from cancer itself or its treatments, can be debilitating. Yoga provides natural pain relief by improving flexibility, reducing inflammation, and altering pain perception.
A study in Trends in Cancer Research showed that patients with chronic pain who practiced yoga experienced significant reductions in pain intensity and frequency (6).
Gentle stretching relieves tension, while mindful breathing techniques help manage pain perception.
Poses like Cat-Cow, Seated Forward Bend, and Reclined Butterfly promote relaxation and reduce physical discomfort.
Yoga Improves Muscle Strength
Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation often lead to muscle weakness and reduced mobility. Yoga helps rebuild strength and improve overall physical function.
Research in Cancer showed that cancer survivors engaging in yoga-based programs had improved strength and flexibility (7).
Strengthening poses, such as Warrior II and Chair Pose, help maintain muscle mass.
Adaptive yoga ensures that even those with physical limitations can take part safely.
Other Side Effects Reduced using Yoga
The best-known side effects of chemo are nausea and vomiting. They can be debilitating, so it’s heartening to find several studies that show you can reduce them by practising yoga (1).
Several studies reported in Cancer found that issues with memory, commonly known as ‘chemo brain’, improved after using yoga (7).
Cancer also found several studies that suggested that yoga programs helped reduce lymphoedema (7).
Conclusion
There are a few different yoga types to consider. If you would like some guidance on choosing the best type for you, you will find it in my book, Naturally Supporting Cancer Treatment. Discover the various online stores that stock it by clicking on the Buy Now button below.
Yoga offers a wide range of benefits for cancer patients, from reducing fatigue, stress and side effects to improving sleep and physical strength. Whether through gentle stretching, mindful breathing, or meditation, yoga provides a holistic path to healing and recovery. If you or a loved one is navigating cancer, consider incorporating yoga as part of a comprehensive wellness plan—it may just be the support your body and mind need.
References
Niu N, Huang R, Zhao J, Zeng Y. Health benefits of Yoga for Cancer Survivors: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing. 2024;11(3):100316. doi:10.1016/j.apjon.2023.100316
Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Bennett JM, Andridge R, et al. Yoga's impact on inflammation, mood, and fatigue in breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2014;32(10):1040-1049. doi:10.1200/jco.2013.51.8860
Gonzalez M, Pascoe MC, Yang G, et al. Yoga for depression and anxiety symptoms in people with cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Psycho-Oncology. 2021;30(8):1196-1208. doi:10.1002/pon.5671
Ding X, Zhao F, Zhu M, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions to reduce perceived stress in breast cancer patients. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2024;54:101803. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2023.101803
Hsueh E-J, Loh E-W, Lin JJ-A, Tam K-W. Effects of yoga on improving quality of life in patients with breast cancer: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Breast Cancer. 2021;28(2):264-276. doi:10.1007/s12282-020-01209-6
Agarwal RP, Mafek AA. Integrating yoga into cancer pain management: A review of the research evidence. Trends in Cancer Research. 2016;11:157-170.
Danhauer SC, Addington EL, Cohen L, et al. Yoga for symptom management in oncology: A review of the evidence base and future directions for Research. Cancer. 2019;125(12):1979-1989. doi:10.1002/cncr.31979
