What is it?
Yoga can increase physical activity and improve emotional health. It involves holding postures (asanas) with the body, being aware of breathing, and focusing the mind. There are many styles of yoga ranging from gentle to more vigorous.
What to expect
Wear comfortable clothes. You may be asked to remove your shoes before entering the yoga room. You usually use a yoga mat, which may be provided, or you may need to bring your own. Most classes last about one hour. A session usually begins with warm-up stretches, followed by a series of yoga postures. A typical routine also involves focusing on quietening the mind and working with the breath, and ends with some form of relaxation.
Laughter yoga combines breathing, clapping and physical laughter exercises. It’s based on laughter as a form of movement and breathwork, rather than anything to do with jokes or humour.
Some cancer centres offer yoga classes designed for people with cancer, having treatment or in recovery. If possible, see a yoga therapist who works with people who have cancer. This is because certain styles of yoga may not be suitable at some stages of cancer or depending on your abilities. Ask your yoga teacher about any precautions you should take and possible modifications or support you may need.
What is the evidence?
Clinical practice guidelines on cancer pain include yoga for people with pain related to taking aromatase inhibitors, as well as pain after treatment for some cancers. They also suggest yoga as a way to manage cancer-related fatigue.
There is evidence that yoga can decrease stress and anxiety, reduce sleep disturbances, improve muscle strength and enhance quality of life. The breathing focus may help reduce pain.
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Key resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
More resources
A/Prof Geraldine McDonald, Director Patient Experience and Wellbeing, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Laura Carman, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria; A/Prof Christine Carrington, Senior Consultant Pharmacist Cancer Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital and Metro South Health and The University of Queensland, QLD; Kellie Giannarelli, Consumer; Dr Suzanne Grant, Senior Research Fellow, Integrative Oncology, NICM Health Research Institute, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Vivienne Hansen, Bush and Western Herbal Medicine Practitioner, WA; Karla Jaji, Administration Officer, Nepean Cancer and Wellness Centre, NSW; Dr Laura Kirsten, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Nepean Cancer Services, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, NSW; A/Prof Judith Lacey, Director of Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Adjunct Professor Danforn Lim, Western Sydney University and University of Technology Sydney, NSW; Dr David Mizrahi, Senior Research Fellow and Accredited Exercise Physiologist, The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW; Professor Avni Sali AM, Founder and Director, National Institute of Integrative Medicine, VIC; Gillian Thompson, Consumer; A/Prof Kate Webber, Medical Oncologist, Monash Health, VIC; Tanya Wells, Integrative Oncology Consultant and Naturopath, Melbourne Integrative Oncology Group, VIC; Prof Kate White, Professor Cancer Nursing, Cancer Care Research Unit, The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW.
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