Benefits of Yoga For Colon Cancer

Yoga for colon Cancer has several benefits. This genre of physical activity, i.e., yoga, has an ancient history. It dates back to more than 5000 years, and it studies whole-body philosophy. There are a variety of yoga types, and each involves specific breathing exercises or Pranayamas, and a series of postures or asanas.

Yoga can benefit patients seeking Colon Cancer Treatment in the following ways:

• Help reduce Fatigue caused by chemotherapy
• Lowers Anxiety which can help improve appetite and quality of life
• Enhances bone strength
• Helps sleep better
• Prevents recurrence of Colon Cancer Symptoms

Jessica Belloffato, Director of JBYoga in New York, recommends four asanas for patients with cancer symptoms and the ones undergoing colon Cancer treatments such as Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy.

Also Read: Tips and Benefits of Exercise During Cancer Treatment

Best Types of Yoga for Colon Cancer

There are four best types of yoga for colon Cancer. The four asanas include:

Ardha Matsyendrasana: This can help with nausea and digestion. The Half Lord of the Fishes poses energizes the spine and stimulates metabolism.

• Step 1: Patients are asked to sit on the floor with their legs straight out. After bending the knees, the right foot slides under the left leg to the outside of the left hip. The left foot is stepped over the right leg and it stands on the floor outside the right hip. The left knee will point upwards.

• Step 2: One should press the left hand against the floor, and set the right upper arm on the outside of the left thigh near the knee.

• Step 3: Now, one can turn their head in any direction. Twisting the torso while changing the sides is the rhythm of this asana.

Viparita Karani: This Yoga for Colon Cancer helps reduce Fatigue. In a modern Yoga asana, survivors are asked to take the help of a wall to do this pose. One should lay on their back, with the legs mounted/rested against the wall. By pushing them slowly upwards with the support of the wall, one can elongate their spine, taking the neck as a support.

Supta Baddha Konasana: This Yoga for Colon Cancer helps lower Stress and Anxiety levels. In one of the easiest positions, one just needs to lie down with their hands protruding outwards, in a downward direction. Bringing the feet together, one must bend their knees accordingly to make the soles of the feet touch completely with each other.

Sukhasana: Also known as Easy Pose, Sukhasana helps in focusing on breathing and calms the mind. This meditation pose can be done while sitting in the lotus position, with the two hands resting on the knees while focusing on mindfulness.

For those undergoing colon cancer treatment, Pranayamas can improve your immunity and aid in the regeneration of dead cells in the body. With daily practice and an optimistic outlook, Yoga can subdue the colon Cancer treatment side effects gradually.

Benefits of Yoga for Colon Cancer: Pranayamas

Pranayamas, a type of Yoga for Colon Cancer also very beneficial. Yoga practitioners recommend the following Pranayamas for patients recovering from colon cancer symptoms.

Anuloma Viloma or Nadi Shodhan

Pingala Nadi or right nostril represents the body or Sun principle, and Ida Nadi or left nostril represents the mind or moon principle. In Anuloma Viloma, one first inhales through the right nostril and exhales through the left, and then inhales through the left nostril and exhales through the right. This technique of alternate nostril breathing purifies the right and the left nostrils. The purification brings a balance to the metabolic processes, body, and mind.

According to the Hatha Yoga principle, health conditions result from the imbalance between the mind and the body. Anuloma Viloma balances the two forces.

Benefits of Anuloma Viloma

1. Anuloma Viloma ensures proper oxygen supply and the effective removal of carbon dioxide.
2. Purification of blood from toxins
3. Reduces anxiety, depression, and hyperactive disorders
4. Enhances the benefits of deep breathing
5. Effective management of stress

Bhramari Pranayama

The Bhramari Pranayama relates to the sound of a Bhramar or a humming bee. One must emit sounds like that of a humming bee in this Pranayama. Experts advise performing this Pranayama in sitting positions like the Simhasan or Padmasan.

The three stages of the Bhramari Pranayama are Pooraka, Kumbhaka, and Rechaka.

Stage 1 (Pooraka): To achieve the efficiency of Pooraka, one must first practice a steady Rechaka, and then proceed to Pooraka. During inhalation, hinder the airflow by pressing the soft palate a little. The palate starts to vibrate since it is soft and generates a peculiar sound. Beginners would find the sound odd and loud, but with time and practice, the sound adapts to a beautifully melodic tune, like that of a humming bee.

Stage 2 (Kumbhaka/ breath retention): With the completion of Pooraka, one can now progress to the Kumbhaka. Kumbhaka expects no sound but the observation of three bandhas or muscular locks namely the Jalandhara bandha, Uddiyan Bandh, and Mul bandh.

• Jalandhara Bandha (Throat lock): Bringing the chin down to touch the sternum (neck flexion).

• Uddiyana Bandha (Abdominal lock): Tightening the abdomen region to an upward direction and holding the position.

• Mul Bandh (Root lock): Increasing the curvature of the lumbar spine while drawing the hips slightly backward, and tightening the pelvic muscles.

Stage 3 (Rechaka): In Rechaka, one must generate a sound similar to that in Pooraka. However, the sound Rechaka emits is louder and more melodious than that of Pooraka.

Also Read: Benefit From Exercise During Cancer Treatment

Benefits of Bhramari Pranayama

• Calms the nerves and the mind
• ReducesStressand anxiety
• Helps in lowering the blood pressure

Sheetali and Seetkari- Cooling Pranayama

Jointly described as cooling pranayama, Sheetali, and Seetkari are known to offer cooling at the physical, mental, and nervous levels. These Pranayamas can also help lower blood pressure.

One can perform Seetkari or 'hissing cool breath' as follows:

1. Seat yourself in a cross-legged position.
2. During the next few breaths, to incite a feeling of inward focus, take note of the flow of the breath at the tip of your nose.
3. Inhale deeply through the gaps between your teeth lightly held together.
4. Hold your breath for 6-8 seconds in Jalandhara Bandha.
5. Use Ujjayi breath to exhale, by lifting your chin and closing the Pingala Nadi with the right thumb.

The steps of Sheetali Pranayama are quite similar to that of Seetkari

1. Seat yourself in a cross-legged position.
2. During the next few breaths, to incite a feeling of inward focus, take note of the flow of the breath at the tip of your nose.
3. Roll your tongue into the shape of a tube by bringing it out.
4. Inhale deeply through this tube in the tongue.
5. Hold your breath for 6-8 seconds in Jalandhara Bandha.
6. Use Ujjayi breath to exhale, by lifting your chin and closing the Pingala Nadi with the right thumb.

Benefits of the Cooling Pranayama

• Can help in the effective cooling down of the system
• Calms the nerves and the mind
• Reduces stress
• Fights insomnia

Benefits of Yoga for Colon Cancer- Final Words

There is limited evidence for the scientific benefits of Yoga for Colon Cancer. It is debatable whether Yoga can cure Colon Cancer or other types of cancer. Few studies suggest that cancer patients can learn to cope with the different cancer symptoms and the Cancer Treatment side effects, including that of Chemotherapy and radiotherapy, by practicing Yoga.

Researchers, therefore, conclude that since yoga can help combat stress and fatigue, it improves psychological health. Hence, positive thoughts can help cure cancer to a great extent.

Elevate Wellness & Recovery in Cancer

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Reference:

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2. Danhauer SC, Addington EL, Cohen L, Sohl SJ, Van Puymbroeck M, Albinati NK, Culos-Reed SN. Yoga for symptom management in oncology: A review of the evidence base and future directions for research. Cancer. 2019 Jun 15;125(12):1979-1989. doi: 10.1002/cncr.31979. Epub 2019 Apr 1. PMID: 30933317; PMCID: PMC6541520.