Yoga for Cancer

Using yoga to manage the challenges of cancer and its treatment • Explains how to create a safe home yoga practice that addresses the specific physical needs, risks, and emotions of cancer patients and survivors • Includes 53 yoga poses and 9 practice sequences that use movement and breathing to reduce and manage treatment side effects • Reveals how current research supports the physical and psychological benefits of yoga to aid recovery and reduce risk of recurrence • Written by a cancer survivor and certified yoga teacher For those faced with a cancer diagnosis and the journey of doctor-led surgery and treatments, yoga offers a way to regain control of your body and take an active part in your recovery and long-term health. In this easy-to-follow illustrated guide, yoga teacher and cancer survivor Tari Prinster presents 53 traditional yoga poses that are adapted for all levels of ability and cancer challenges. She then applies the movements and breathwork of these poses to address 10 common side effects and offers 9 practice sequences for varying stages of treatment and recovery. Sharing her own story as well as those of cancer survivors and yoga teachers with whom she has worked, Prinster explores how yoga can be used to strengthen the immune system, rebuild bone density, avoid and manage lymphedema, decrease anxiety, detoxify the body, reduce pain, and help the body repair damage caused by the cancer and conventional treatments. She reveals the research that supports the physical and psychological benefits of yoga as an aid to recovery and in reducing the risk of recurrence. Explaining how yoga must be tailored to each survivor, Prinster gives you the tools to create a safe home yoga practice, one that addresses your abilities, energy level, and overall health goals. Through personal stories, well-illustrated poses, and sample practices for beginners as well as experienced yoga practitioners, Prinster empowers survivors to create their own wellness plan in order to regain their independence and their physical and emotional well-being.

Tari Prinster is a certified yoga teacher, founder of yoga4cancer, former director of Women's Cancer Survivor Program at Om Yoga, New York City, yoga ambassador for the Living Beauty Foundation, and a breast cancer survivor. Her work has been featured in the documentary YogaWoman and in Yoga Journal. She has presented at conferences held by Yoga Journal, Yoga Service Council, and International Alliance of Yoga Therapists and has published articles in many yoga publications. She lives in California.

Foreword by Cyndi Lee Foreword by Robyn Frankel-Tiger, M.D. Preface Introduction A Wellness Plan for Survival Part 1 Understanding Cancer and the Benefits of Yoga 1 My Story 2 The Science of Cancer and Yoga 3 Applying the Science for Recovery and Prevention Part 2 How to Build Your Own Yoga Practice 4 The y4c (yoga4cancer) Methodology 5 Preparing for Your Practice 6 Creating Your Yoga Practice and Learning the Poses Starting Your Practice Taking Your Seat Finding Dynamic Stillness Taking Time to Breathe A Moment of Meditation Getting Warmed Up Starting to Move with Your Breath Arm Vinyasas Seated Hip and Spine Warm-Ups Warm-Ups on Your Back--Supine Vinyasas Warm-Ups on Hands and Knees Belly-Down Poses--Prone Vinyasas Getting Up and Down Building Strength, Bones, and Balance Standing Poses Sun Salutations Warrior Poses Balancing Acts Rest and Restore Restorative Poses Savasana/Sunset Pose 7 Sample Practices for Varying Stages of Your Treatment and Recovery In Treatment--30 Minutes In Recovery--30 Minutes Maintaining the New Normal--30 Minutes Gaining Strength--30 Minutes In Treatment--60 Minutes In Recovery--60 Minutes Maintaining the New Normal--60 Minutes Gaining Strength--60 Minutes Gaining Strength--90 Minutes 8 Poses to Target Common Side Effects Lymphedema Bone Loss Weight Gain Range of Motion/Scar Tissue--Upper Body Range of Motion/Scar Tissue--Lower Body Anxiety/Insomnia Constipation/Bloating/Abdominal Obstruction Detoxification Neuropathy Incontinence Conclusion Cancer Steals Your Breath, Yoga Gives It Back Resources for Survivors, Teachers, and Caretakers Notes Bibliography Index