You must know, Meditation and Yoga is very important for Cancer Patients ! The practice of yoga began approximately 5000 years ago in India and combined physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. The word yoga means “to join” or “union.” Yoga focuses on joining the body, mind, breath, and spirit together in harmony and focus, without mental distractions. Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years. Strict followers of the discipline observe a number of beliefs and practices, including ethics, dietary guidelines, and spirituality.
According to medical research, yoga has been increasingly used to support the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of cancer patients who practice this ancient art through asana (yoga postures and movements) and pranayama (breathwork). Guided imagery and yogic sleep, called Yoga Nidra, have also been found to have positive effects for individuals affected by cancer, because of the impact on the nervous system by way of the pre-frontal cortex.
Yoga philosophy teaches the release of the three tensions, physical, mental and emotional to support optimal health. Therefore, the heart of yoga offered to cancer patients is brought forth with the intention to release tension in an effort to support the whole self during a challenging diagnosis.
Yoga Helps Manage Depression, Fear, and Anxiety:
Depression and an acute fear of death can be prevalent in patients suffering through the emotional strain of a cancer diagnosis. guided breathing exercises enrich the respiratory system to regulate nerves that can deeply calm both mind and body. Yoga activates this relaxation response and can thus help relieve feelings of anxiety. With the aid of supported inversions to increase circulation and guided meditation/deep breathing to let go of grief, fear, and foreboding, you can actually re-pattern and calm your stress cycles.
Increased sleep quality
All forms of exercise help improve restful sleep. However, it is likely that the calming effects of deep breathing and a meditative state used in the practice of yoga enhance these benefits.
Decreased fatigue
Breast cancer treatment can be particularly harsh on the body, and it's common for patients to suffer severe fatigue and a decline in respiratory fitness. Yoga helps eliminate these effects avoiding a long-term cycle of lowered energy.
Help to Manage Physical Pain:
Besides the well known and painful physiological side effects of cancer treatment, emotional stress can also produce physical pain. Moderate, appropriately modified physical activity aids in managing the physical pain that can be experienced during treatment, and research has shown that women who practice yoga specifically when in recovery report reduced pain and stress.
Reduced depression
From diagnosis to treatment, to recovery; cancer is a battle every step of the way. Depression is common in all long-term illnesses and cancer is no exception. The improvement in physical symptoms and the ability to participate in a group activity can help relieve this depression.
The "Mood Boost" Effect
It's a fact - exercise produces endorphins and endorphins improve your mood. A regular yoga practice, no matter how gentle the movements, allows the body to release endorphins so you can instantly experience a positive boost in mood. Several studies also suggest that yoga can increase the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating the nervous system and managing your mood and outlook. In addition, a regular yoga practice can boost self-esteem because you feel better about your appearance, strength, and overall physical condition.
Improved quality of life
An improvement in physical symptoms can lead to the ability of patients to participate more in other aspects of their life. Restful sleep and decreased anxiety lead to increased happiness as well.