As many of you have learned in Yoga instructor training, there are many different styles. One sub-style of Hatha is Restorative Yoga. This particular therapeutic style is often recommended for people who are undergoing chemotherapy. When visiting Women and Infants hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, restorative classes are on the menu in the oncology department. The Stanford Medicine Cancer Institute also refers patients to restorative classes.
Taking part in activities that you enjoy and surrounding yourself with positive energy can directly improve your emotional outlook. This is true during normal times, but is also true during times of stress. Incorporating Yoga as a way to strengthen the mind-body connection as well as to tap into the restorative powers that it is known for is something that has shown to have great promise for people who are being treated for cancer. Of course, more research is being done on this topic, but there are many cancer survivors who already believe it to be true simply because it worked for them. A 2009 randomized pilot study at the Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine looks promising, but with science and medicine there will be many studies before the medical community makes anything official.
A Restorative, Yin Yoga teacher training intensive, or something similar is recommended before working with patients who are recovering from chemotherapy. Pranayama, meditation, and relaxation techniques are just as important as asana practice. Positive visualizations are a very important part of the meditation and relaxation sessions.
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