Yoga

Yoga is a form of non-aerobic exercise that involves a program of precise postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. Yoga can be a useful method to help relieve some symptoms of chronic diseases such as cancer and can lead to increased relaxation and physical fitness.

Recent scientific studies do not support yoga as an effective stand-alone treatment for cancer or any other disease; however, it may enhance quality of life by relieving the stress and anxiety associated with disease progression or treatment. Alyson Moadel of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine studied the effects of yoga in breast cancer patients and published her findings in a 2007 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. She found that patients who did yoga saw improvements in social and emotional well-being compared with those who didn’t.

Most studies on yoga and cancer have focused on breast cancer patients, but recently studies have begun to incorporate other cancer patients, including those with lung cancer and colorectal cancer.

Results from recent studies on yoga and cancer show that the complementary therapy can have many benefits for patients, both mentally and physically.