YOGA THERAPY FOR CANCER
Gentle, personalised yoga therapy to support you before, during and after cancer treatment.
A cancer diagnosis can change many parts of life. It may affect how you move, sleep, breathe, think and feel. Some days you may feel like yourself. Other days, even everyday tasks can feel challenging. Yoga therapy offers personalised support that adapts to you.
Whether you're preparing for treatment, having chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery, recovering afterwards or living with cancer long term, we'll work together to create practices that support your body, your wellbeing and what matters most to you.
WHAT IS YOGA THERAPY?
Yoga therapy uses the practices of yoga in a personalised way to support your health and wellbeing before, during and after cancer treatment. Every session is tailored to your health, treatment, symptoms and what matters most in your life.
Yoga therapy isn't about achieving poses or becoming more flexible. It's about finding practical ways to support your body and mind, wherever you are in your cancer experience.
As your health changes, your yoga therapy changes too. Some days that may mean moving more. Other days, it may mean resting, breathing or simply taking time to reconnect with yourself. The practice adapts to you, not the other way around.
HOW YOGA THERAPY CAN SUPPORT CANCER CARE
Every person's experience of cancer is different, so every yoga therapy
practice is different too. Many people seek yoga therapy to help them
manage challenges such as:
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Cancer-related fatigue
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Pain or stiffness
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Anxiety and stress
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Sleep difficulties
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Reduced mobility
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Neuropathy
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Breathlessness
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Muscle weakness
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Reduced confidence in movement
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Feeling disconnected from their body
Whether your goal is to manage side effects, feel more confident moving again, improve your sleep or simply find moments of calm, yoga therapy is designed around what matters most to you.
IS YOGA SAFE DURING CANCER TREATMENT?
For many people, yes. Research suggests that appropriately adapted yoga can be a safe and supportive part of cancer care. Like any form of movement, what is appropriate depends on your diagnosis, treatment, current health and the advice of your healthcare team.
Cancer treatment isn't the same for everyone, and neither is yoga therapy. Your sessions are planned around your individual needs, taking into account factors such as recent surgery, fatigue, pain, neuropathy, balance, bone health and any other treatment-related considerations.
The aim isn't to push through. It's to support your wellbeing in a way that works with your body, not against it.
WHO CAN BENEFIT?
Yoga therapy may be appropriate if you are:
- Newly diagnosed with cancer
- Preparing for surgery
- Having chemotherapy, radiation therapy or immunotherapy
- Recovering after treatment
- Living with metastatic cancer
- Managing the long-term effects of treatment
- Looking for gentle, individualised support
You don't need any previous yoga experience.
WHAT HAPPENS IN A YOGA THERAPY SESSION?
Our first appointment begins with a conversation.
We'll talk about:
- Your diagnosis and treatment
- Your current symptoms
- How your health has changed
- What you're finding difficult
- What you'd like more support with
- Your goals
Together, we'll explore practices that are appropriate for you, that may include gentle movement, breathing techniques, relaxation, meditation.
A key part of yoga therapy is the personalised practice you take home. This practice is meant to integrate into your everyday life, and can be adapted around treatment days, changing symptoms, low-energy days and the natural ups and downs that often come with cancer.
As your needs change, your home practice changes too. In follow-up sessions, we'll build on what's helping, adjust what's no longer serving you, and adapt your practice to meet your changing needs.
WHY IS THERE A HOME PRACTICE?
Yoga therapy isn't just something that happens during an appointment. The goal is to help you build simple practices you can return to throughout your week.
Some days your practice may be longer. Other days it might simply be a breathing exercise before treatment or a short relaxation before bed.
Follow-up sessions help us review what's working and adapt your practice as your needs change.
I'VE NEVER DONE YOGA BEFORE. DOES THAT MATTER?
Not at all. Yoga therapy is suitable for complete beginners as well as people with years of yoga experience.
CAN I DO YOGA WHILE HAVING CHEMOTHERAPY?
Often, yes. Sessions and your yoga therapy practice are adapted to how you're feeling on the day. On lower-energy days, your practice may focus on breathing, relaxation or gentle movement rather than more active exercise.
I'M NOT FLEXIBLE. DOES THAT MATTER?
No. Flexibility isn't the goal. Yoga therapy is about finding practices that support your wellbeing in ways that feel safe, achievable and meaningful.
CAN I DO YOGA AFTER SURGERY?
Many people begin yoga therapy after surgery, although the timing and type of practice will depend on your procedure, your recovery and the advice of your healthcare team.
IS YOGA THERAPY THE SAME AS A YOGA CLASS?
No. Yoga therapy is individualised. Your session is designed specifically for your health, symptoms and goals rather than following a standard class.
WHAT IF I'M VERY FATIGUED?
Cancer or treatment related fatigue is one of the many symptoms yoga therapy can help support. Whether it's a in person session or your home practice, we work with your energy levels and adapt your practice accordingly.
CAN YOGA THERAPY HELP WITH SIDE EFFECTS OF TREATMENT?
Yoga therapy is often used alongside medical care to help manage symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, sleep difficulties, pain and reduced mobility. It may not remove these symptoms, but it can offer some relief and a sense of agency over how you move through them.