Yoga

Yoga

What is yoga?

Yoga is one of the oldest systems of personal development in the world. This system of balancing the body, mind and spirit was formulated by ancient yogis, who understood man's essential nature and realised a way to utilise all of man's inner resources to live in harmony with himself and the environment.

Yoga practice both relaxes and energizes the body and mind and brings vitality, flexibility, strength, concentration, self-confidence and emotional calm. Yoga is suitable for all types of people and all levels of fitness.

Practising yoga helps you overcome and prevent many stresses, strains, aches and pains. It promotes a firm foundation for health and well-being.

How can yoga help?

Physical postures can help

encourage strength, stamina and flexibility
encourage efficient functioning of all the body’s organs and systems
promote healing by reducing muscular tension that obstructs the free flow of energy
stimulate circulation of lymph in the body to minimise the risk of lymphoedema
encourage a reconnection with the body that may have been lost

Relaxation can help to

lower the heart rate and blood pressure and to calm the sympathetic nervous system
release muscular and mental tension and to help relieve anxiety
improve sleep
stimulate immune function
prepare the ground for our natural healing forces to work
calm the activities of the mind and emotions. With the mind and body at rest we move toward stillness, peace and harmony

Perhaps the most important point of these aspects of yoga – particularly breathing and relaxation - is that they give you an opportunity to participate in your own healing process.

What happens in a session of yoga?

You participate in a supervised series of slow and gentle stretches or postures. There is a short relaxation held at the end of each class.

When can yoga be done?

Yoga can be done anytime during breast cancer treatment, except immediately following surgery. Then, it is best to wait for six to eight weeks to allow for recovery. Yoga is best not done after eating until your food is digested.

For a pdf factsheet, please click here.