5 Benefits of Yoga During Cancer Treatment
Yoga has changed my life for the better! I could go on and on about the countless benefits of Yoga - but for now I have wrapped up a few of my top fav reasons in a bite sized little bundle for you. Enjoy, and I look forward to seeing you on the mat soon.
1. Yoga helps to Reduce Fatigue.
So Fatigue is a real factor when going through cancer. The trickiest part is when you are tired, worn out, lethargic, feeling BLAAA… that last thing you feel like doing is getting off the couch or out of bed and moving around. I hear ya! Yet, that’s the exact thing that’s actually proven to help! Studies have shown over and over again that adding safe movement into your day can:
Stimulate your lymphatic system
Wake up those positive feel good endorphins
Lubricate stiff achy joints, and stimulate your cardiovascular system.
Awaken blood flow to your legs, and lower the risk of blood clots
Improve balance, lower risk of falls and broken bones
Lessen nausea
2. Yoga can help us Manage and reduce stress, depression and anxiety.
Although yoga cannot solve all of the worlds problems, it can help us control the way we react to stressful situations. Yoga encourages us to take a moment and pause before reacting to a situation - which is a very valuable lesson in life both on and off the mat.
3. A Restorative Yoga practice can help you sleep better.
You know those nights when your mind/thoughts are spinning on a hamster wheel. All the worries that are even out of your hands… Sometimes the subtle act of trying to get out of your frazzled mind and into your body can do wonders for a great night sleep. Im talking from experience here!
4. Our practice helps us clear out toxins from cancer treatments.
This is huge! Breath and movement have such a profound way of flushing toxins out of the body. It doesn’t have to be a marathon - it can be a safe and gentle yoga class for even just 5-20 minutes a day (2-3) times a week to start feeling a lot better.
5. our yoga community Provides us with unity and support.
My biggest wish, prayer, intention and hope, is that you realize that you are not alone. Especially during the hardest chapter of your life. As humans I think we can all agree there is this deep desire within us to be reminded that we are valued, and deeply cared for. I believe that knowledge is powerful, and if your experience or insight can help someone else - it’s worthy of sharing. If you can help someone else feel not so alone, well I think that’s admirable, and a beautiful thing. To sow seeds of support and encouragement as a community, will lead to a harvest of healing much much bigger than what we can see alone.
With love,
Kelly