Yoga and Cancer: A Path Unfolding

Will I be able to practice yoga after brain surgery? Can I practice yoga while in treatment? What about the effects of chemotherapy?

One of my concerns after my brain tumor diagnosis was what would happen to my yoga practice. I’ve been studying, practicing and teaching yoga for years, and it’s become a huge part of my life and community. The COVID-19 pandemic had actually given me the chance to dedicate even more time and effort to yoga – without a daily commute, and with fantastic online offerings, I was practicing and studying more than ever in my life from March 2020 to March 2021. I was deepening connections with friends and mentors in the yoga community that stretched from Hawaii to California to Nashville to Washington, DC, and making plans for future trips to study in and reconnect with friends in the yoga communities in Kazakhstan and India. I felt great!

And then…boom. For the first week or two after surgery, I couldn’t really think about anything because I was mostly asleep. But soon enough, I started exploring ways to integrate the practices back. And slowly, steadily, I made my way back on the path. I might not be standing on my head every day at the moment, but I am very much still practicing yoga. Here are a few ways how my practice continued and evolves –

1. Practicing physical yoga postures & breathwork (asana & pranayama practice)

2. Studying

3. Meditating

4. Sharing yoga with others

For the first month or two after surgery, I wasn’t on my computer much, and took a break from ZOOM yoga classes – both asana and studies of the spiritual texts. My teaching break actually lasted four months. I was able to practice some chair-based yoga and breathing exercises in April and May. That provided gratitude and joy – even if I only practiced for 5-10 minutes in the morning and 5-10 minutes in the evening. I also practiced mantra meditation, which I try to do daily.

In June, I discovered yoga4cancer (y4c) - a specialized yoga methodology developed by Tari Prinster that focuses on yoga practices to stimulate the immune system, improve strength and flexibility, boost well-being, and reduce anxiety for individuals affected by cancer. In short – many of the benefits I sought. I was intrigued! I took my first classes online and was immediately impressed by how skilled the instructors are in providing safe, challenging, and engaging yoga classes. I continued, and also took classes by oncology-yoga trained instructors through both Duke Cancer Center and Virginia Hospital Center. I became so appreciative of the method that I went on to actually complete y4c’s online teacher training this fall, which has opened a whole new world into how I view the practice of oncology yoga. It was a challenge to do the training while returning to work and negotiating a move from coast to coast, all on top of continued treatment. However, the course gave me a goal to strive toward and was a great distraction from treatment.

By fall, I was back to study of the Bhagavad-gita with a friend and mentor in Washington, D.C., joined by old and new friends via ZOOM. I’ve also been back to teaching weekly classes at Washington Yoga Center and taking classes through Yoga Shala Nashville, yoga4cancer, and a lovely weekend community yoga group based in D.C. and around the world.

My physical yoga practice has changed somewhat, and that’s totally OK. I embrace props that I know will lead to safer expressions of yoga postures. For months, I had to let go of any poses where my forehead or sides of the head were on the ground. The effects of radiation therapy and lasting effects of surgery suddenly made putting my head on the mat unpleasant. I still avoid headstands and other inversions. They used to be my favorite – but there are many other yoga practices that provide benefits across the board. On chemo days, if I’m feeling extreme nausea, then I modify my practice accordingly. I still try to fit in something every day – whether meditation, breathing exercises, seated or standing postures for the spine, playing the harmonium for a few minutes, or a combination of these practices.

I’ve learned this year that the physical yoga practice can actually help reduce fatigue for individuals affected by cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends that adults get 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week (or a combination of these). Yoga counts in these recommendations! There are so many benefits to the practice on so many levels.

So…returning to my initial concerns – am I able to practice yoga while in treatment? Yes! Of course, every individual is different, and you should check with your health care professional before starting a physical yoga practice. For me, I never really let go of my yoga practices and continue to find great joy in exploring, learning, and sharing yoga with others. I am convinced that practicing mantra meditation while going through MRI scans is what helps me make it through in a calm manner. I am convinced that the incredible outpouring of love and support from friends in the yoga community has made a huge difference in my ongoing healing. Does yoga improve my quality of life? It’s an unequivocal yes.

If you’re also an individual affected by cancer and curious about yoga, please reach out. I welcome dialogue!

January 14, 2022

Picture: sunset over Marina Bay, Richmond, California, USA

#bewellnow #yoga #yogaforcancer #oncologyyoga #yogaandcancer