Here at the CCNM Integrative Cancer Centre, we are preparing to start a weekly yoga class for our patients, and we want to highlight the benefits of yoga for patients with cancer. Over the past decade, studies on yoga, both during and after cancer treatment, have increased; this centuries-old practice is now recognized by some large, national cancer organizations as having significant benefit to quality of life improvements. A recent, large study of yoga for patients with cancer, both during and after treatment showed benefits to:

• Fatigue
• Stress/distress during treatment
• Sleep disturbances after treatment
• Chemotherapy induced brain fog
• Immune function

A yoga practice can take many forms. You can do yoga at
most gyms, in a group at a designated yoga studio, or at home, with a YouTube
video. Here are some ideas to make yoga more accessible:

• The CCNM Integrative Cancer Centre has a no-cost Gentle Yoga for Cancer Recovery every Wednesday from 1:30-2:45 p.m.
• The CCNM Integrative Cancer Centre offers yoga therapy as a service with Registered Yoga Therapist, Miriam Patterson
• Massachusettes General Hospital 30 minute yoga class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF0berGrlho
• Roswell Park Hospital 20 minute, in-patient yoga routine: https://www.roswellpark.org/cancertalk/201601/yoga-tutorial-cancer-patients
• Check out local deals at Yoga studios as most have an introductory rate, or even consider looking for an online deal (eg. Groupon)
• Wellspring has no-cost yoga for patients with cancer, multiple locations in Canada
• Gilda’s Club of Canada has no-cost therapeutic yoga for patients with cancer, in Toronto