Breast cancer survivors benefit from the health advantages of yoga in multiple ways. Yoga for breast cancer not only helps them calm their minds but also provides pain relief advantages. Through yoga asanas, survivors can strengthen their bodies and quicken the healing process after breast cancer treatment.
Best Yoga Poses for Breast Cancer
After surviving breast cancer, patients often feel disconnected from their bodies and may also become traumatised from the psychological stress. Yoga for breast cancer patients provides the much-needed physical and physiological recovery process in a peaceful environment. However, not all yoga poses are equally helpful for breast cancer survivors, so we have listed the poses that offer the best advantages:
This yoga pose relaxes the back and chest muscles, eases weariness and stress, and calms the mind. To practice the child pose, begin on all fours, exhale, and bring your hips down to your heels. Extend your arms in front of you while keeping your head down. Hold the position for 10-12 breaths, get back to the first position, and repeat.
Matsyasana is considered one of the best yoga positions for breast cancer survivors. Your lungs, ribs, and, most significantly, your chest and breast area are all immediately impacted by this pose. Lay down on the yoga mat, extend both legs out, and place your elbows firmly on the mat. Take a breath to expand your chest, and touch the floor with the top of your head. Press firmly with your elbows as your back shouldn’t touch the floor in this position. Remain in this pose for 10-20 seconds.
The Snake pose helps to open up the chest muscles and improves back and shoulder strength. To begin, lay down on the mat and make sure you are lying flat on your stomach with your forehead touching the floor. Place both of your hands over your hips and interlock the fingers. Take a breath, lift your chest, and pull yourself up from the floor. Extend yourself as though you are being pulled by your hands and maintain that posture for 10 seconds. Release yourself from the pose by taking a deep breath and slowly lying back on your tummy.
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Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)
This yoga posture stretches the neck, spine, and back, and directs blood flow to the upper body. To begin, stand up straight and place your feet hip-distance apart. Exhale and move your hips downward to press your head on your knees. Extend your hands to reach the floor with your fingers. Take eight breaths while holding the pose, and then stand back up.
Conclusion
Continuous care is necessary for breast cancer survivors, and yoga can truly help during this phase. When practised correctly, yoga asanas help with chest muscle stretch, boost healing, and help with anxiety relief. Make sure that your health insurance policy covers breast cancer treatment.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.