Yoga Poses for Cancer Survivors

By Louanne Cho, 500 E-RYT, AWC


A cancer diagnosis and treatment can put stress on a person's mind and body. Yoga may benefit survivors and help them heal and learn to cope. Here is a list of a few poses and stretches and how they may benefit patients

Shoulder and Chest Stretch
Shoulder stretches are great for restoring lost movement to the whole upper body.  They are also good for breaking up scar tissue that may have developed due to injury or surgery.
Steps: 

1. Sit in a cross-legged position, or in any comfortably erect position.
2. With the hands sufficiently far apart hold onto a yoga strap.
3. With the torso upright try to make as large a circle as possible with your hands as they go up and over. 

Keep the torso upright and try not to lean forward or back when lifting and lowering the arms. If you have any shoulder issues, then only raise the strap as high as you can until you feel a good stretch.

1.  Inhale and lift the arms up above the head.
2. Exhale and reach back and down while keeping the arms straight.  You may have to make your hands wider apart to lower the arms without bending them.
3. Inhale and bring the arms overhead.
4. Exhale lower down in front to start position.

Repeat above five times. Then hold the stretch when the arms are reaching back behind you or when the arms are above the head.  Keep tension in the strap.

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