Yoga Poses for Cancer
Yoga Poses that can help people with Cancer by ShareLove.Fund’s Rainbow Women Social Enterprise endeavor and sponsored by your generous donations.
Cancer. The word is dreaded all over the world. It’s a disease that still has the medical community baffled to a great extent. Perhaps calling it a disease isn’t the most accurate description. It is, after all, a group of diseases in which abnormal cells grow and have the potential to spread to the rest of the body. Some of its most common symptoms are lumps, prolonged cough, abnormal bleeding, sudden and unexplained weight loss and changes in bowel movements.
So where does yoga come in with all this? Several studies have been conducted into the efficacy of yoga for patients with cancer. The results have shown that yoga helps in reducing fatigue and stress, improving physical conditioning and sleep and lowering the risk of recurrence. Keeping these benefits in mind, here are some poses that can help cancer patients and survivors battle the disease. Remember; please consult your doctor before you start a yoga regimen.
Legs Up the Wall– This pose is also known as Viparita Karani. Get on the floor and sit whilst pressing your left side against a wall. Now turn your body to your left and bring your body down into a prone position. Your legs should be up against the wall. Scoot in till your buttocks are against the wall too. Relax and breathe.
Seated Spinal Twist –This is a great pose to deal with nausea and digestion issues. Sit cross-legged on the floor and take a deep breath in. Now let it out slowly and at the same time twist your body so you can look over your right shoulder. Your left hand should be on your right knee. Take another deep breath in and hold the stretch while doing so.
Seated Meditation – This is good for those who are brand new to yoga and helps them focus on mindfulness and on their breath. Sit on the floor and cross your legs in front of you. Feel the bones that are touching the floor. Sit up tall by lengthening your spine and slowly and gently drop your chin just a little bit so your neck and your spine are aligned. Take deep breaths and focus on them and on your body.
Reclined Bound Angle - This pose is also known as Supta Baddha Konasana. It helps in reducing stress and fatigue. Sit on the floor. Make the soles of your feet face towards each other and then bring your feet together. Your knees should be bent and your heels should point towards your groin. Now slowly lower your back to the floor while your arms act as a support. Once you are completely on the floor, spread out your arms to the sides and relax. Take deep breaths.
Cancer is not an easy disease to battle and you have to be a warrior every day to fight it out. Consider yoga a secret weapon that helps you fight the disease and its effects alongside your regular treatment.