Volume 10 Issue 10 October, 2020
Most of the people diagnosed with cancer chose to do Yoga after cancer treatment. They do not know that Yoga should/can be practised right from the time of diagnosis. This is precisely due to lack of awareness and Yoga is considered more as a form of fitness world wide. There are few or no oncology sectors that provide Yoga in adjunct to conventional cancer care treatment.
How can Yoga help a patient?
Cancer the disease per se and its treatment causes a lot of stress in patients. It can leave them depressed, demotivated which in turn has an impact on the treatment out come, i.e., increased side effects, repeated hospitalisation, etc. This aspect of a patient cannot be dealt with mere medications, but an initiative to enhance their will-power can help them to deal the situation positively.
Does Yoga cure cancer?
Well, there is no scientific evidence to prove that Yoga can cure or prevent any type of cancer. But, many studies have found Yoga to improve quality of sleep, mood and spiritual well being in patients suffering with cancer.
When can one do Yoga?
It is advised cancer patients to do Yoga right from the time of diagnosis.
Yoga is the ancient science derived out of the Sanskrit word ‘yuj’, which aims to unite body, mind and spirit. It has eight limbs namely Yama (Universal morality), Niyama (Personal observances), Asanas (Body postures), Pranayama (Breathing exercises/control of prana), Pratyahara (Control of the senses), Dharana (Concentration and cultivating inner perceptual awareness), Dhyana (Devotion, Meditation on the Divine), Samadhi (Union with the Divine). For practical purposes, Asanas, Pranayama and Yoga Nidra (relaxation form of Meditation) are considered. Yoga can be done at all stage of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. But, it is always safe and advisable that one learns Yoga from a Yoga expertise preferably one who has been trained in and in consensus with the treating Oncologist.
Following are few tips on how yoga can be incorporated while treatmentison-
•Pre-treatment
‘Fear’ is a common factor faced by almost all patients before treatment. Although one need sometime to over come fear, the anxiety associated with the fear can be reduced by doing deep breathing practices before chemotherapy/radiation/surgery. A day before every treatment session is as care, which can be over come by doing relaxation techniques.
•During-treatment
An idle mind is devil’s workshop. While the treatment is going on, a patient can be disturbed by thoughts of the future, side effects (hair loss, etc.), disease, finance career, family, etc. By performing breathing practices, one will be able to diver this/her mind from these disturbing thoughts. It is the most feasible form of practice that can be performed even while radiation and chemo therapy is going on.
•Post-treatment
The journey of cancer is not easy! It will take sometime for an individual to recoup him/herself. But, the ‘fear’ of cancer can constantly ponder in one’s mind. It can eventually affect their immune system that may trigger the likelihood of cancer recurrence.
It is therefore suggested to indulge in yoga regularly post treatment. Yoga poses may help to loosen the stiffened muscles; deep breathing/pranayama may help relax the mind by reducing stress; Yoga Nidramay help in removing the deep-rooted fear. As the stress start reducing, the patient start feeling more positive. This change in attitude can motivate an individual to take care of him/herself and improve their quality of life.
•Caretakers
The effect of cancer is not limited to the patients. It can affect the entire family including caretakers. A caretaker will have to compromise on their personal life and constant care giving can lead to ‘burn-out’. So, it is better to engage caretakers along with their loved ones for Yoga sessions.
Stress burns away the innate nature (Care, love and affection) in human beings. While, Yoga help store lease stress, revive and be you.
So, now you know what yoga can do in the journey of cancer!
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Probably yogic way of life should be introduced in the process of diagnosis itself. Good that caretakers stress is also addressed.