The therapy and treatment stages for a cancer patient can be excruciatingly difficult. Extended rounds of chemotherapy and radiation have been known to bring on many side effects that have an impact on quality of life. Luckily there have been growing options in complementary treatment options that are directed towards alleviating some of these symptoms. One of the popular and growing options includes Bikram yoga, primarily because of its ability to mix both physical and mental benefits for patients.
Bikram yoga has a great impact on regular participants for its ability to cleanse the body and its impact on cancer patients is no different. Patients have been known to help reduce their acidity through hot yoga. Acids are removed from the body during hot yoga through working the lungs with heavy breathing, the kidneys with increased metabolism and heart rate, and creating an alkaline environment within the body. All three of these elimination methods help to cut down on the acidity within these cancer patients.
Hot yoga also allows patients a chance to get more oxygen in the body. Because breathing is such a heavy focus during hot yoga, they help to move stagnant air out of the lungs. What this is doing is taking out acids and making room for oxygen to come in. This oxygen goes on to diffuse in the blood and be carried throughout the body of a patient.
Perhaps the biggest reason that hot yoga is so popular with cancer patients is because of the ability to connect the mind and body. The treatment stages of cancer can be busy, stressful, and fearful. Hot yoga provides a chance to reconnect the mind and body through tranquility and peace. All types of yoga, including hot yoga can help people to find peace of mind. A great example of the impact that hot yoga can have on cancer patients involves its help with mesothelioma patients. This is a type of cancer that results from asbestos exposure and forms within the lining of the lungs and abdomen area. These patients have an extremely low average life expectancy and hot yoga has been known to give them peace of mind and tranquility during the stressful and fearful time following diagnosis. The ability of hot yoga to have astounding mental benefits is one of the main reasons it is continuing to grow as a complementary treatment option.
While hot yoga is not as popular with cancer patients as traditional forms of yoga, it is continuing to grow. More research from physicians and scientific evidence will continue to make hot yoga a great option to cancer patients looking for a complementary therapy to alleviate some of their side effects.
Krista Peterson is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer. As a health and safety advocate, she shares a strong passion for the wellness of others in her community. Krista has been practicing yoga for 3 years and loves to encourage others to do so as well. Through her writings, she helps to spread awareness of such issues as cancer and chronic illness and how they can be treated." If you wish to contact Krista she can be reached at krista.peterson925@gmail.com
Thank you for that post, Krista and Amber. I think it's generally agreed-upon that yoga and meditation can dramatically alter one's relationship with illness, and I'm so curious to see further research about its physical effects on the illness.
ReplyDeleteHi guys, a friend of mine sent me the link to yr blog because I am a cancer patient too and have reaped the benefits of yoga - both mental and physical during n after chemo. I think the one thing people must keep in mind when they read yr blog abt Bikram yoga is that it is a steam/heat based yoga which is not good for many cancer patients to be exposured to...ESP if done in large classes whIch can be breeding ground for germs n infections. Many of us are immunocompromised n can't take such chances. Neither do we really have steam rooms at home. And given it's intense nature, it tends to be too much for most weak cancer patients.
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ReplyDeleteHey guys, thank you very much for reading the guest blog and yes, I personally take into account the idea that cancer patients have a compromised immune system and therefore precautions in any and every matter must be taken into consideration prior to any form of exercise. I just wanted to give the readers some positive information relating to hot yoga and the benefits it can have on cancer patients.
ReplyDeleteI just read a study that found that people who did 10 minutes of yoga daily for two years increased bone density in their hips and spines. Also noted, was yoga’s benefits decrease the risk of falls, which can result in osteoporotic fractures. I like to to stretch my feet and toes with Smarttoes Toe Stretchers. The unique design relieves foot and toe strain, as well as, provide hammer toe treatment and bunion treatment.
ReplyDeleteYoga really has many benefits to us, not just keeping us active outside, keeping our healthy body but also to the emotional aspect of the person doing yoga.
ReplyDeleteExactly now is the right time to do it since it Breast Cancer Awareness month. Lets us all support the fight against these cancer.
ReplyDeleteYoga can indirectly help treating cancer by improving ones body condition and also self esteem too.
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ReplyDeleteexactly, bikram yoga has a great impact on our lifestyle....
ReplyDeleteI love the blog! My wife is trying to get into some hot yoga in Calgary. She loves this type of aesthetically pleasing exercise.
ReplyDeleteHot yoga allows patients a chance to get more oxygen in the body. Because breathing is such a heavy focus during hot Yoga , they help to move stagnant air out of the lungs.
ReplyDeleteThere are millions of patients who have been treated for cancer who might benefit from starting yoga. All physicians who treat cancer patients should recommend different types of yoga to their patients for their healthy living.
ReplyDeleteI wish more authors of this type of content would take the time you did to research and write so well. I am very impressed with your vision and insight.
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