Regular yoga practice can help heal and transform those affected by cancer in several ways. Yoga postures stretch muscles and ligaments, activate the parasympathetic nervous system to induce relaxation, improve blood circulation, and tone muscles. This helps activate the body's self-healing mechanisms. Over six months, yoga can induce physical changes like increased flexibility and respiratory efficiency. It can also produce psychological benefits like reduced depression and a more relaxed outlook. Mentally, yoga helps control the mind and reduce negative thoughts. On a spiritual level, it can improve awareness, induce meditative states, and provide a sense of peace and purpose.

1. Cancer and Yoga Postures

2. Yoga Postures
Stress (Disease)
Yoga Postures
Asanas
Calmness
of the Mind

3. Inter-Dependency
• Stretching of the muscles and joints activates
parasympathetic nervous system = relaxation
response in the psycho-physiological systems
• When minds is relaxed, breath slows down
and body self healing mechanism is activated.

4. Yoga Postures - Asanas
• Postures stretch muscles and ligaments:
– Postures are modified according to type of cancer to heal
affected areas after operation
– Activate parasympathetic system inducing relaxation
– Tone the muscles, improve blood circulation
– Increase efficiency of muscles
– Activate/balance the glands and hormonal system
– Activate lymphatic system improving immunity
– Tone cardio-vascular system
– Stabilizes metabolic rate
– Correction of body posture
– Structural changes in the functioning of the mind

5. Yoga Postures Transform
• Regular practice over 6 months transforms one’s physical,
psychological, mental and spiritual state:
• Physical:
– Physical changes to the functioning of the brain
– Physical changes to all the systems of the body
– Correction of the physiology of body
– Increased tone of muscles
– Rejuvenation of cells and organs
– Decreased fatigue
– Increased flexibility and endurance
– Increased respiratory efficiency
– Increased vigor
– Induced self-healing of the body

6. Yoga Postures Transform
• Psychological:
– Positive changes in personality
– Changes in outlook towards life
– Relaxed way of being
– Better sleep
– Change of habits, beliefs and behavior
– Behavior based on thoughtful action instead of
emotional reaction
– Moods like depression is significantly reduced

7. Yoga Postures Transform
• Mental:
– Ability to control the functioning of the mind with
cortex dominance
– Cortex (intellect) takes over from limbic brain
(emotions) the management of cerebellum
(controlling muscle functions) – results in calmness
and peace of mind
– Reduced negative or dysfunctional thoughts and
rumination
– Relaxed and quiet mind
– Prevailing acceptance and tolerance

8. Yoga Postures Transform
• Spiritual
– Improvement in awareness and consciousness
– Sense of peace and joy
– Changed sense of self identity
– Induced meditative/contemplative states
– Sense of purpose in life
– Subtle energy optimization