Yoga: Helping Breast Cancer Patients & Survivors

Do you do yoga?

If you practice yoga, you know how therapeutic it is & how relaxed you feel afterward.

Today, this 5,000-year-old practice is even proving to help breast cancer patients & survivors.

A recent study finds that when these patients add yoga to their routine, it helps counter some common side effects of radiation treatments, including fatigue.

Watch this video as Breast Cancer Answers Co-Founder Wendy Hartley & Breast Cancer Yoga's Diana Ross discuss the benefits of yoga for breast cancer patients & survivors.

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Breast Cancer Recovery - 3 Elements For A Restorative Yoga Practice

Restorative Yoga, Breathing and Yoga Props for Breast Cancer Physical Therapy

Restorative Yoga DVD at www.breastcanceryoga.com

There are 3 basic elements that are needed in a restorative yoga practice in order to receive the therapeutic benefits for breast health and breast cancer recovery.

  A healthy restorative yoga practice includes:

     *Gentle repetitive movements

     *Specific breathing exercises

     *Use of props

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Ultimately this system of restorative yoga encourages and supports recovery back to a balanced state of mind and body.  This is when one can learn to lessen muscle and emotional tension, and replace it with self-nurturance, health, vitality and hope.  Breast Cancer Yoga is this kind of gentle flowing yoga which encourages good health while in recovery and beyond.  It is restorative; there are no weight bearing poses that cause pain, no headstands or challenging poses. Come and visit our YouTube Channel and try our various flowing yoga videos.
www.breastcanceryoga.com

About Dawn Bradford Lange:  Co-founder of Breast Cancer Yoga. Dawn is making a difference with Breast Cancer Yoga therapeutic products designed to support you emotionally and physically during breast cancer . We want to give you the attention and personal service you need so please email us at info@breastcanceryoga.com if you have questions.

American Cancer Society, Diana Ross and Breathing For Cancer

Diana Ross & American Cancer Society, a photo by Breast Cancer Yoga on Flickr.

Breast Cancer Yoga Event With American Cancer Society

“Breath With Purpose” is a step by step instructional workshop that will teach you how easy it can be to learn how to breathe properly. You will also learn that the quality of the mind is linked directly to the quality of the breath.

Diana Ross, E-RYT500 and Founder of Breast Cancer Yoga introduced the Art of Natural Breathing to create inner calm, release tension and increase mental clarity.

Breathing For Cancer Prevention, Treatment & Recovery

• Great for centering and feeling grounded.
• Breathing fully calms anxiety.
• Strengthen the nervous system.
• Creates a respiratory balance through rhythmic inspiratory/expiratory cycles.
• Stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system.
• Breathing deeply brings forth awareness of an inner witness.
• The mind begins to quiet so we can hear what is truly being thought.
• With breathing excess chatter is dissolved.

For more Breast Cancer Yoga Events

Try Breast Cancer Yoga's Breathing CD

 

Via Flickr:
American Cancer Society Choose More Birthday event with featured speaker Diana Ross, founder of Breast Cancer Yoga.

Breathing For Breast Cancer Benefits

Learn How to Breathe

Deep breathing is vital; it encourages the release of body toxins, and rebuilds healthy tissue. It is as simple as oxygen helping to nourish the body, the muscles, and organs which then provides relief from stress, fear and anxiety. Slow, deep, and relaxed breaths calms the autonomic nervous system, (ANS) producing a balanced stable energy and builds the body’s immune function. Make a conscious decision to start with 5 to 10 minutes a day of simple deep breathing. Breathing is an important aspect of lymphedema management too. Slow deep breaths, with breath retention create pressure changes that empty the lymphatic system into the venus system at the thoracic ducts and clear the lymphatic pathways. Simple practices like counting each exhale develops concentration, or using a Sun Moon breath will make a difference in stress levels by balancing the right and left hemisphere of the brain. Learning how to come into synch with each breath allows for the “fight-or-flight” response to move to a “relaxation response.” Breathing and relaxation may offer another self management tool for lymphedema too.

Learn More About Breathing

By Breast Cancer Yoga Founder & Survivor: Diana Ross, E-RYT 500

Yoga Restores Physical Movement For Breast Cancer Recovery

Breast Cancer Yoga offers a Restorative Yoga therapy that can effectively help restore physical movement and aide in post surgical recovery. One of the essential tools for recovery is effectively dealing with stress and depression. Pain and worry affects the body, creating stress hormone release. When the body becomes stressed, the breath becomes shallow, which in turn tenses the muscles. Some may even find themselves unconsciously holding the breath. Breast Cancer Yoga's Restorative Yoga therapy addresses the emotional and physical causes of stress, fear, anxiety and depression. This marks the beginning of recovery and allows a state of clarity and relaxation to be experienced. These states of calmness produce their own associated neurohormones which promote the healing process to begin. 

By: Diana Ross, E-RYT 500

Founder: Breast Cancer Yoga

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Maximize Health And Recovery Through The Breath

Maximize Health and Recovery 

The diaphragmatic breath is the most calming and therapeutic breath. When constant stress leads to restriction of connective and muscular tissue in the chest area; a decrease in ROM (Range of Motion) is experienced. This decrease is due in part to unconscious shallow breathing. The chest does not expand as much as it would with slower and deeper breaths. Deeper diaphragmatic breathing is efficient because of the greater amounts of oxygen being drawn in the blood which then flows in the lower lobes of the lungs. Breathe Consciously. “It is as simple as oxygen helping to nourish the body, the muscles, and organs which then provides relief from stress, fear and anxiety. Slow, deep, and relaxed breaths calm the autonomic nervous system, producing balanced stable energy.  Conscious breathing does improve the body’s immune function, and lower blood pressure. Make a conscious decision to start with 5 to 10 minutes a day of deep breathing. 

To learn yoga breathing techniques visit Breast Cancer Yoga and download our “Breast Cancer Yoga Breathing Techniques” E-book

Author & Founder: Diana Ross, E-RYT 500

January 26, 2012

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Breast Cancer Yoga Breathing CD Trailer

Where There Is A Prop, There’s A Way

No pose is too big or too small, all you need is the right yoga props and a good attitute. Pick a restorative yoga practice of your choice that will offer an opportunity to explore different props and diffrent poses. Using flowing movements before coming into a sustain pose with props will help to warm up muscles, and offer the opportunity to settle down. Movement also provide the chance to shed restlessness and any agitation before settling into a place of surrender.

Props are to be use, so use them generously; blocks, pillows, bolsters, blankets, sandbags, eye pillows and belts. The more support that is felt, the deeper sense of relaxation and nurturance. Make sure when using the props that they feel “just right.”  A little adjustment here, or a little adjustment there, can make all the difference in the world. I mean that, so please explore the placements of the props. One inch can transform a supported pose; allowing you to  feel like you are in heaven. Here in lies your opportunity to tune inwards, and intuitively feel what is needed. For some, restorative poses may create a challenge for the mind to settle down and relax, so don’t be hard on yourself; just allow it to happen.  In time and with practice the feelings of comfort and healing will draw you into the present moment, where the real work is for peace and acceptance. The power of the props are not just to support the physical body through this time of healing but a time to find a quiet understanding. This is where questions are either answered or they lose their importance. 

Taking this valuable time for yourself to be supported with props is imperative. When in breast cancer recovery this maybe a time for emotional healing to be felt and absorbed. It will awaken an awareness inside, where we need not pretend; but realize we can become responsible for change. This awareness exists beyond words and props.

By: Diana Ross, E-RYT 500

Founder: Breast Cancer Yoga

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Prevent Breast Cancer with Healthy Lifestyle Choices for 2012

Necessary Lifestyle Choices for Optimum Health

An anti-cancer lifestyle will include a variety of exercise, organic foods, clean pure water and air. There are a few easy steps to keep the body safe and healthy. It is important to cultivate an awareness of what feels and taste right going into your body. It is equally important to stop and take notice of bad choices. Ask yourself “Is this good or bad for me? “Will it make me feel better or worse?”  We all want to feel alive and vital.

Exercise – Yoga
Practicing restorative yoga has shown through studies to encourage and improve sleep and to enhance overall quality of life. (Reuters Health) – About one third of breast cancer survivors experience fatigue that affects their quality of life. A new study found that doing yoga might help restore some lost vitality. There are some simple suggestions to start exploring a change in vitality.

• Find a restorative yoga class  
• Buy a therapeutic yoga DVD
• Watch Breast Cancer Yoga on YouTube

Cancer Prevention Foods – Vegetarian/Vegan Diet
It is suggested to eat a plant base diet of fruits and vegetables: make your diet rich in organic fruits and vegetables that are full of micronutrients and bioflavonoids which are duly noted to help prevent breast cancer or other cancers. Here are some simple choices to select from to start improving your health.

• Order a vegetarian/vegan starter kit
• Start by adding healthy food choices to diet

Water Therapy – Alkaline Water
Alkaline water (referred to as ionized water) can neutralize or decrease the acidity of the body’s pH caused by stress, modern diet, and air pollution. We suggest trying this water and feeling the possible positive effects.

• Find a water store and get alkaline water by the gallon (it usually stays charged with negative ions for up to 48 hours)
• Purchase if possible a home alkaline water system that filters pollutants as well as charging the water with negative ions and anti oxidants
• Benefit from the many ways to use alkaline water like necessary hydration for the body’s cells

Manage Stress – Learn to Breathe
Deep breathing is vital in that it encourages the release of body toxins, rebuild healthy tissue which consequently increases overall energy. This true oxygen exchange stimulates digestion, assimilation and elimination. A very important function of breathing fully and slowly is that the body’s natural relaxation response is prompted. This relaxation response results in decreased tension, anxiety and fatigue. A great place to start is with our single down-loadable breathing exercises or you could do the following.

• Purchase a therapeutic breathing CD
• Read books on how to breathe correctly
• Explore breathing exercise e-books

Laugh Often – Emotional Balancing
It has been shown that even when manipulated to smile people in truth feel happier and joyful. Laughter can stop depression right in its tracks and boosts our immunity. We suggest the following to bring on happiness.

• Have a daily joke sent to your e-mail
• Watch funny YouTube videos
• Listen to the comedy channel on the radio
• Download comedians from iTunes

By : Diana Ross, E-RYT 500
Founder & Survivor: Breast Cancer Yoga

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Yoga Poses With Props For Breast Cancer

Supported and Safe Poses

Using yoga props can make all the difference in the world for a person to feel safe, supported and nurtured. Props create a perception that the Earth is rising up to provide support, and create a feeling of being safe. Using blocks, blankets and bolsters decreases muscular tension and anxiety about letting go or falling in a pose. Yoga props also provide the opportunity to surrender deeper into a pose, without the distraction of strain or pain. After surgeries or treatments it is common to feel tight, inflexible and weakened. It is here where yoga props can facilitate great physical and emotional change.  

Yoga Pose Without Discomfort

Yogis of the past used props, such as ropes, stones and wooden logs to help support a yoga pose. These props served great purpose when an aspiring student lacked yoga experience, had not stretched their muscles enough, or could hold a pose without discomfort for any significant time. Here to they offered great support for the body.

Relieve Pain With Yoga Props

A restorative yoga therapy such as Breast Cancer Yoga, which uses many yoga props, serve a valuable function of support before and after surgery, especially when there is ongoing stress or limited ROM (Range of Motion) in the arms, back and chest. Poses that are properly supported with props can help in breast cancer recovery by relieving associated pain and discomfort. By taking pressure off the joints and muscles of the body, a person may be able to relax more and focus better on the breath, and to then hold the pose longer. Being able to let go and surrender in a pose comfortably allows the mind and body to feel safe and nurtured. 

Most importantly, when props are used correctly, they allow the body to come into a natural and balanced state of alignment.  When the body is aligned, the mind feels balanced as well. Once the body and the mind unite, the breath too becomes aligned and brings a deeper, internal state of peace.

By: Diana Ross, E-RYT 500

Founder: Breast Cancer Yoga

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Triggers of Unhealthy Breathing

Influences

There are certain influences on breathing that trigger unhealthy breathing, and pain is just one. The breath will register pain with sudden piercing inhalations and fierce exhalations, and the breath stays affected the entire time that the pain persists or until the pain crisis passes. Emotions also trigger enormous changes in breathing; just by witnessing a scary picture, fear will be triggered. Or the breath can become relaxed and take on a completely different point of reference if we see a beautiful sunrise or sunset. Stress too has an affect on the breath.  The breath is hard wired into your nervous system and if you become tense, hurried or overwhelmed the stress may linger on well past the event. 

Conscious Change

Training the breath can help bring these various influences on breathing to conscious place for change. And it makes the breathing a stronger tool to resist the disruption of all these harmful influences: stress, pain, fear and becoming overwhelmed.  A trained breath can also help defuse these powerful and disruptive emotional reactions and keep them at bay. Through practice, the breath can become a powerful instrument in managing stress, restoring energy and calming the mind.

Manage Anxiety

Diaphragmatic breathing “belly breathing” will help manage anxiety when levels of stress are difficult to manage. Pain can be a signal for you, and an opportunity to transform the situational influences in a positive way. These influences need to be managed instead of being a crippling. It is here where developing a daily breathing practice can become the foundation of managing upsets.  I know that anxiety, stress, fear and any other type of tension will appear here and there. However, there is no reason not to have the tools to manage or decrease their effects and provide you with the ability of feeling in control. 

By: Diana Ross, E-RYT 500

Founder: Breast Cancer Yoga

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Why Do We Take The Breath For Granted?

Breathing Is Automatic

We take the breath for granted; that it is automatic and will always persist, uninterrupted day and night. But precisely because breathing does not require our attention it can be hard to understand “why”.  

Yoga And Breathing

Yoga instructs us to learn to breathe with greater awareness.  When the breath is properly trained it becomes an effective therapeutic tool; always present, effective in prevention of emotional stressors and restorative. First the need to consciously learn to regulate and develop a rhythmical breath for a maximum outcome is required. All it takes is the merest voluntary effort and a conscious change in the way we breathe. 

Breathing Is A Gift

Breathing normally without conscious awareness occurs outside our mind’s awareness. The breathe is governed by certain cells that measures blood gas levels, which create a crude rhythm of respiration that coordinates the activity of the respiratory muscles. All of which makes breathing smoother and effective.  Just imagine all the inhalations and exhalations passing some 21,600 times in just one day; and that is with out any breaks. Pretty amazing. We ask “Why not take the breath for granted?” This is why not. It is a gift that keeps giving and most of the time we do not acknowledge it.

By: Diana Ross, E-RYT 500

Founder: Breast Cancer Yoga

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Breathing for Anxiety

Anxiety Triggers

For many depression sufferers, anxiety can be quite formidable. Anticipation of having breast cancer, potentially having to do chemotherapy or radiation treatments can trigger great anxiety. This anxiety can then disrupt any normal physical or emotional functioning. Besides when anxiety is great enough it can bring on fatigue, sleeplessness, the jitters, irritability and painful headaches.  Not very good for recovery.

Remedy to Reduce Anxiety

Anxious people tend to take short, shallow breaths which create an erratic heartbeat, dizziness and even lightheadedness. Fear may play a hugh role in these physical changes. It is not unusual to treat these symptoms with medication. These medications run the possibility of becoming addictive. Instead of taking something that could become a problem, why not turn to your own breathe as a possible solution to anxiety. One simple remedy to reduce anxiety is to learn how to breathe slowly and deeply. Slow inhales and exhales with your complete attention can be quite amazing.

By: Diana Ross, E-RYT 500

Founder: Breast Cancer Yoga

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Why is Breathing so Important in Recovery?

Take A Deep Breath

We hear from time to time this familiar phrase ”take a deep breath” when we become stressed or over excited. Ever wonder why?  There are so many reasons as to why.  Taking a full, deep conscious breath has been known to settle us down when we are  nervous or upset.

Gain Control Of Emotional State

First step is to tune into your breath and become a conscious breather (as much as possible). The immediate result of tuning into your breath is the ability in obtaining control of your emotional state of mind. There is also greater (efficient) oxygen absorption and carbon dioxide elimination.  Now for the a positive potential results of facilitating recovery from surgery and beyond, is the ability to calm your nerves and invite relaxation. The immune system will benefit as well to proper breathing cycles. By conscious breathing we bring the mind/body state into balance and the nervous system runs with maximum efficiently.

Learn & Develop a Breathing Practice

Now how can we facilitate something that may be so challenging, especially when someone  has a  “monkey mind”, a restless mind that jumps all over.  If you can find a yoga teacher that specializes in breathing techniques or maybe a great breathing CD that introduces specific stress relieving breaths this would be most helpful. However, this could be the easy part, the real job would be the commitment to yourself to learn and develop a breathing practice. All I can tell you is that it is so worth it.  Studies support that proper breathing play a large role in recovery by balancing, energizing, and relaxing the mind/body connection.  Try it; it is for everyone.

By: Diana Ross, E-RYT 500

Founder: Breast Cancer Yoga

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Breast Cancer Yoga Pose "Reclined Arm Lifts"

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BENEFITS OF FLOWING YOGA POSES 

* Facilitates lymphatic drainage of breasts 

* Promotes deep breathing by widening the chest

VISIT our family website for more information on a complementary holistic approach to breast health and breast cancer recovery. Breast Cancer Yoga includes specific restorative yoga poses, supportive yoga props, a blend of aromatherapy oils, healing herbal teas and medicinal massage oils.

Aromatherapy for Breast Cancer Recovery

Aromatherapy has been shown to be an effective complementary treatment for breast cancer, and can relieve many of the side effects of chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Aromatherapy can help you navigate the terrain of your healing journey from surviving to thriving. Learn about the essential oils to use and why.

• Control nausea

• Easing anxiety and depression

• Lowers blood pressure in patients going through chemotherapy

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Benefits of Balanced Breathing

Breast Cancer Yoga

Learn How to Breathe With Purpose CD

Balanced Breathing

Breathing Exercise CD
By Breast Cancer Yoga

Using a balancing breath, a pranayama breath will serve to maintain and equalize the complete breath cycle. The goal of the inhalation and exhalation is to be identical in volume and duration thus creating the natural flow of the breath such as Natural, Complete and Sun Moon Breath.  This also brings the quiet mind with it. Concentration will be higher during this equalized state.  Therefore an equalized airflow through both nostrils should be strived for. Habitually we resort to unconscious shallow breathing and clearly do not use our true lung capacity creating uneven inhalations and exhalations. In the beginning if the airflow is unequal, do not be concerned. It is a natural phenomenon, and you need not to resort to any other method, just continue to practice. Also in the beginning the effects of the pranayama practice may not be felt right away, but after a few sessions the results will show themselves. It is only through practice that we begin to master so don’t get discouraged.

By Diana Ross, E-RYT 500

Breast Cancer Yoga

Breast Cancer Yoga Pose "Swimming Locus"

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FREE Preview "Twisting Yoga Poses for Breast Cancer Recovery and Lymphedema Management" E-book

TWISTING YOGA POSES

Breast Cancer Yoga has just released Twisting Yoga Poses E-book as apart of our "Healthy & Hopeful Lifestyle" E-book Series. You can preview Twisting Yoga Poses E-books on our home page. We would love your feed back on the E-books.
Twisting Yoga Poses E-book Contains
“Healthy & Hopeful Lifestyle” E-book Series contain specific restorative yoga poses that assist in breast cancer post - surgical recovery, fatigue and lymphedema management. Also included is a breathing exercise which is an essential tool for reduction of stress, anxiety and depression. Complementary Therapies are suggested to further enhance healing FREE PREVIEW.
Purpose of Twists
Twists can boost energy when feeling tired or fatigued. When we twist, we literally squeeze tension and toxins out from the body. In twisting poses, our muscles have an opportunity to squeeze and relax, and once finished, the area that released will then experience a rush of blood and nutrients TAKE A LOOK.
Twists Yoga Poses for Recovery
Twists are valuable for supporting breast cancer recovery and for the repairing of breast tissue. Lateral movements that are inherent with twists encourage the lymph fluid away from the tissues toward lymph nodes which then circulate the fluid to functioning lymph vessels. If the lymph system cannot effectively drain, lymphedema may result SNEAK PREVIEW.

Medicinal Herbal Teas for Breast Cancer Recovery

Medicinal Herbal Teas For Breast Cancer

There are many nourishing herbal teas that have anti-tumor properties which can and should be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle. Simple healthy lifestyle choices like drinking more therapeutic teas and increasing exercise will do a great deal to increase your odds of beating cancer.

Herbal Teas For Breast Cancer
Research has shown that herbal teas help to balance the whole person physically, mentally, and emotionally while conventional medicine does its work. 

 
HEALTHY & HOPEFUL LIFESTYLE VIDEO SERIES In this video:
Peppermint tea - Soothe the stomach
Chamomile tea - Sleep aid
Echinacea tea - Helps the Immune system

Diana Ross founder of Breast Cancer Yoga uses her therapeutic knowledge of botanical remedies with her family and students. The mission of Breast Cancer Yoga is to share knowledge and bring forward the traditional teachings of botanicals. It is also highly acknowledged in the medical community that herbal remedies do play a vital part of holistic healing cancers.

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