Cancer Care
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is something most people don’t expect. Most of us know at least one person who is effected by cancer and each person will respond differently, treatment also has a range of possibilities.
Yoga is now widely recognised as a supportive, evidence based therapy. It improves quality of life, reduces treatment side effects and supports emotional and physical recovery.
There is a spectrum of emotions for a cancer patient commencing at the initial diagnosis then throughout treatment and again post treatment. Support from family and friends and finding the health professionals that align with you is integral to healing but there is a lot we can do to help and support ourselves. This road doesnt need to be lonely or isolating even when on your own. Self-care management is an empowering process that takes the edge off fear, worry, mental agitation and can reduce symptoms of treatment and pain.
Our system is multi-dimensional, one dimension impacting the other. The mind, body, breath, personality and emotions don’t function independently, therefore holistic care addresses you as a whole, a unique individual with your own specific needs. For example if you receive a serious health diagnosis, the mind becomes agitated, the breath becomes disturbed, the emotions change and a long term health condition can change ones personality. Yoga therapy isn’t a one size fits all health modality, mind body practices are applied and tailored to an individual however the lessons in this category offer specific teachings for a specific purpose and that is to bring balance and healing into your life.
Reduced mental cognition, disturbed sleep, low energy, reduced appetite, elevated temperature in the body, anxiety, depression can all be the result of the cancer journey. The goal of the lessons in this module is to address these byproducts of pre and post cancer care and treatment.
There is a spiritual element in healing that assists in the benefits of self care. Yoga is not a religion, however the philosophy cultivates a belief in connecting with something that is greater than us, building faith in our own bodies abilities but also in the higher powers of the universe. Research studies have proven the power of nature in the healing process, simply walking through a forest or being in your garden has positive mental health effects. A natural environment has a positive impact on all dimensions of ourselves.
As each person will experience cancer in their own individual way, its important to honour your own journey. Self-care in our daily life is a preventative health measure, it gives our bodies a healthier baseline so we have less risk of disease.
Please view the below recent analysis on the positive effects of yoga in cancer care. In this study, the benefits of tailored interventions is recommended. My work extends to customizing practices for patients if this is something you are looking for.
National Center for Biotechnology Information
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › pmc › articles