Yoga, an ancient practice originating in India over 5,000 years ago, is rooted in the Vedic tradition.
It was developed as a holistic system to harmonize the body, mind, and spirit through physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), and meditation.
The teachings of yoga were first compiled by the sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, which outline the principles and practices of yoga.
Today, yoga is recognized globally for its therapeutic benefits, making it an integral part of modern healthcare, including cancer care, to enhance physical and emotional well-being.
As a leading hospital for cancer treatment in India, HCG believes in a holistic approach to cancer care, integrating conventional oncology services with evidence-based complementary therapies like yoga to support our patients' overall well-being.
Yoga therapy for cancer patients and survivors is a specialized practice designed to address the unique physical and emotional challenges posed by cancer and its treatments.
Yoga for cancer patients and survivors has been shown to significantly improve the quality of life and overall well-being.
Key benefits of yoga therapy include effective management of side effects such as fatigue, pain, and anxiety, and enhanced physical strength, flexibility, and immune function.
Our yoga sessions are tailored to meet the specific needs of individuals at various stages of their cancer journey, ensuring a safe and effective practice.
Yoga therapy helps cancer patients manage various symptoms and treatment side effects, improving their overall well-being. Below is a structured approach to how yoga treatment can support symptom management:
| S.N | Side Effects and Symptoms | Effect of Clinical Yoga |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fatigue & Weakness | Improves energy levels, enhances blood circulation, and strengthens muscles |
| 2 | Pain Management | Reduces inflammation, relaxes muscles, and enhances pain tolerance |
| 3 | Nausea & Digestive Issues | Regulates digestion, reduces nausea, and improves gut health |
| 4 | Sleep Disturbances & Insomnia (common in chemotherapy & radiation Therapy) | Yoga during chemotherapy can induce relaxation, reduce stress hormones, and improve sleep quality |
| 5 | Anxiety, Depression & Emotional Stress | Yoga benefits for mental health include balanced emotions, reduced cortisol levels, and improved mental resilience |
| 6 | Lymphedema (swelling in arms & legs after surgery or radiation therapy) | Promotes lymphatic drainage and reduces swelling |
| 7 | Breathlessness & Lung Capacity Issues (common in lung or breast cancer patients) | Improves lung function, increases oxygenation, and enhances respiratory efficiency |
| 8 | Cognitive Fog & Lack of Focus (chemo brain) | Enhances brain function, improves focus, and reduces mental fatigue |
| 9 | Immune System Weakness | Boosts immunity, detoxifies the body, and reduces inflammation |
| 10 | Hormonal Imbalance (common in breast & prostate cancer patients) | Regulates endocrine function, boosts your mood, and reduces depression |
Evidence-based yoga therapy is a holistic approach that supports cancer patients by addressing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It is integrated into cancer care to help manage symptoms, improve treatment outcomes, and enhance the overall quality of life.
Personalized yoga treatment sessions, under expert guidance, can maximize benefits for cancer patients.
At HCG, we offer a comprehensive range of oncology services, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and advanced diagnostic tools.
We understand that cancer treatment can be physically and emotionally taxing, which is why we integrate yoga into our oncology care plan. This integration helps patients cope with the side effects of treatment and promotes faster recovery.
HCG has been involved in numerous research studies that have demonstrated the positive impact of yoga on cancer patients. Research indicates that yoga can reduce cancer-related fatigue and stress, improve sleep quality, and decrease levels of anxiety and depression.
Additionally, yoga has been found to enhance recovery times, physical strength, flexibility, and immune function, contributing to overall health and recovery.
Our yoga therapy programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient. Our qualified yoga doctors and therapists collaborate with oncologists to create individualized plans that complement conventional cancer treatments.
These personalized programs focus on gentle postures, breath control, and meditation to support physical and emotional healing.
We offer both group classes and one-on-one sessions to accommodate different preferences and needs.
Group classes provide a sense of community and shared experience, while individual sessions allow for personalized attention and modifications based on the patient's condition and comfort level.
At HCG’s yoga department, we are dedicated to advancing the field of yoga therapy through ongoing research. We continuously evaluate the effectiveness of our programs and incorporate the latest scientific findings to ensure our patients receive the best possible care.
Our commitment to research ensures that our yoga therapy services are grounded in evidence and tailored to the evolving needs of cancer patients.
By integrating research-based yoga therapy with our oncology services, we aim to provide a comprehensive care experience that addresses the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. Join us in exploring the healing potential of yoga and enhancing your journey to recovery.
HCG has been at the forefront in conducting integrative yoga research in the field of cancer care. The HCG Cancer Centre at Bengaluru is among the few hospitals in the world to have completed several funded randomized controlled trials, contributed about 30 international publications, and been represented at about 20 international conferences relating to oncology.
The department is proud to be collaborating with leading organizations like MD Anderson Cancer Center, the University of Texas, the US, and SVYASA Yoga University.
| Research Paper | Results and Observations |
|---|---|
| Role of Yoga in Cancer Patients: Expectations, Benefits, and Risks: A Review | Studies on yoga reveal variability in interventions, duration, and practices, highlighting the importance of situational context for benefits while cautioning against its use in certain cases. Many reviews and bibliometric analyses exist, but few explore the fundamental principles of using yoga in cancer patients. |
| Effects of an Integrated Yoga Program in Modulating Psychological Stress and Radiation | A study involving 68 breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy found that those participating in an integrated yoga program experienced significant reductions in anxiety and depression, along with lower stress levels, while the control group saw an increase in these symptoms. Although both groups had increased radiation-induced DNA damage after treatment, the increase was slightly less in the yoga group. |
| Effects of an 18-Week Integrated Yoga Program on Cardiac Autonomic Function in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial | This study examined the effects of Integrated Yoga Therapy (IYT) on breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Patients who practiced yoga had better heart rate variability and lower resting heart rates than those who received only chemotherapy. This indicates that IYT may improve autonomic nervous system balance and offer cardiac benefits during treatment. |
| Effect of Long-term Yoga Practice on Psychological Outcomes in Breast Cancer Survivors | A case-control study found that early breast cancer survivors who practiced yoga had lower stress, anxiety, and depression compared to those without yoga experience. Yoga was linked to better overall health and quality of life, indicating it may boost emotional resilience and support long-term survivorship. |
| Comparison of lymphocyte apoptotic index and qualitative DNA damage in yoga practitioners and breast cancer patients: A pilot study | This study compared breast cancer patients, long-term yoga practitioners, and healthy controls to evaluate DNA damage and apoptosis levels. It found that yoga practitioners had lower DNA damage, while cancer patients showed higher apoptosis. The results suggest that long-term yoga may help improve cellular health and balance. The study also suggests that apoptosis and DNA damage could serve as biomarkers for health status. |
| Impact of integrated yoga therapy on cognitive impairment and cardiac dysfunction in relation to quality of life in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: Study protocol for a two-arm randomized controlled trial | This study looks at yoga's impact on cognitive and heart issues from chemotherapy in women with early breast cancer. Participants will either engage in yoga therapy or receive standard care, with key outcomes on quality of life and heart health. The aim is to determine if yoga can help reduce chemotherapy's negative effects. |
| Yoga versus physical exercise for cardio-respiratory fitness in adolescent school children: a randomized controlled trial | This study, which was conducted with 802 students from 10 different schools, found that an hour of yoga practice can be just as effective as physical exercise training in improving the cardiorespiratory fitness among adolescents. |
| Effect of yoga therapy on quality of life and depression in premenopausal nursing students with mastalgia | A study compared the effects of yoga and brisk walking on quality of life (QoL) and depression in nursing students with mastalgia. Eighty participants were evaluated over six months. Results showed the yoga group had significantly better improvements in QoL and depression scores than the control group, indicating that yoga is an effective way to manage mastalgia and boost emotional well-being. |
| Development and validation of a need-based integrated yoga program for cancer patients: a retrospective study | This paper outlines eight yoga therapy modules for cancer patients during treatment and recovery. Combining traditional and modern approaches, these modules address patients' physical and psychological needs, aligning with treatment phases like surgery and chemotherapy, and have been validated as safe and effective alongside standard therapies. |
| Evaluation of the Effect of Yoga on Symptom Burden and Quality of Life Impairment in Head-and-Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Radiotherapy | This study found that head-and-neck cancer patients practicing yoga during radiotherapy reported less psychological distress and greater treatment benefits. Among 53 participants, 66% of yoga practitioners felt yoga was helpful, compared to 23% of non-practitioners. These findings suggest yoga can enhance emotional well-being and trust in conventional treatment, potentially improving compliance. |
Firstly, check with your oncologist about the yoga program at HCG. Yoga therapy at HCG is provided in the following formats:
