Today I am excited to share a Guest Post from Jillian McKee, Complementary Medicine Advocate at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. In the post she discusses a variety of Yoga Poses that can be used to help those who are suffering from cancer with the goal of increasing their quality of life.

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Yoga has been proven to provide a variety of benefits, including better sleep, less pain, and an improved outlook on life to individuals with cancer. A review of several recent medical studies, “Yoga for Cancer Patients and Survivors ” by Dr. Julienne E. Bower, et al, shows that yoga can provide therapeutic relief for those suffering from a variety of cancers, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, melanoma, and breast cancer.

When beginning to plan a series of poses for a cancer patient, strive to keep the poses at a low-intensity to begin with to prevent further injury from over-extension.

The Marjaryasana (cat) and Batilasana (cow) poses are usually recommended for therapeutic relief. These low- impact positions stretch the torso, back, and neck while gently massaging the spine and internal organs.

One of the primary benefits of yoga for cancer patients is that it can relieve depression and anxiety. Several poses are especially good at this. The Supta Baddha Konasana (reclining bound angle pose) requires the practitioner to recline in the pose for an extended period of between five and twenty minutes for complete benefit. Instructions on the pose can be found here.

The benefits of this pose are that it quiets the mind, relieves stress and mild depression, stretches the knees and inner thighs, and supports increased circulation.

In addition to the Supta Baddha Konasana, the Uttana Shishosana (extended puppy pose) also can be held for up to thirty seconds to relieve stress and anxiety.

Yoga is also incredibly effective in aiding cancer patients to sleep better. The Savasana (corpse pose) can be used at the end of a series of poses to calm the body and mind. It also helps to relax the body and may aid patients in allowing them to fall asleep faster with fewer sleep medications needed.

Another pose that can aid in sleep is the Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend) by calming the brain and by relieving stress and depression. It also is said in some traditional yoga texts that this pose helps to heal disease, though traditional medicine is certainly at odds with that assertion.

These specific poses, (along with many others,) can provide cancer patients with therapeutic relief. However, the most important part of using yoga in cancer patient therapy is to stay consistent in practicing it. The risk of injury can be lessened by discussing a yoga pose with a medical professional before attempting it so as not to complicate efficacy of traditional cancer therapy.

The American Cancer Society provides even more great information for those cancer patients who wish to learn more about yoga in complementary cancer care.

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Jillian McKee is a yoga enthusiast and cancer activist. She works as the Complementary Medicine Advocate at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. Her time is spent mostly on outreach efforts and spreading information on complementary and alternative medicine used in cancer treatment.

You can contact her at jilliansmckee@gmail.com and check out the Cancer Alliance at @canceralliance on Twitter and Facebook.

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