Yoga for Cancer

Why is yoga good for people living with or recovering from cancer?

You can also read our spotlight on Yoga for Cancer with Krastina Stevenson.

Easing stress and calming the nervous system

Cancer places the body under physical and emotional stress. Gentle yoga, combined with slow breathing, activates the parasympathetic nervous system—the “rest and digest” response. This can:

• Reduce perceived stress and anxiety
• Lower heart rate and blood pressure
• Create a felt sense of safety in the body

Mindful breathing practices like diaphragmatic breathing and extended exhales help regulate mood and improve resilience. Many people report feeling steadier and more present after even 10 minutes of breath-led movement.

Supporting emotional well-being

A cancer diagnosis can bring fear, grief, anger, and uncertainty. Yoga gives you a safe space to feel and release emotions without judgement. The combination of movement, breath, and rest can:

• Improve mood and reduce emotional reactivity
• Increase a sense of control and agency
• Support body image and self-compassion, especially after surgery or treatment changes

Journalling a few lines after practice—how you felt before, during, and after—can reinforce these emotional gains and help you spot patterns in energy and mood.

Improving flexibility and gentle strength

Cancer treatments, surgery, and inactivity can lead to stiffness, tight fascia, and reduced joint range. Gentle yoga sequences lengthen muscles and hydrate tissues, improving comfort and ease of movement. Over time, you may find:

• Better flexibility in the hips, spine, and shoulders
• Less stiffness on waking or after sitting
• Improved posture and breathing mechanics

Many poses also build light, functional strength—especially around the core, back, and hips—which supports balance and everyday activities like standing up, reaching, or walking.

Managing common treatment side effects

While everyone’s experience is unique, people often use yoga to help with:

• Fatigue: Short, restorative sessions can boost energy without taxing the body.
• Sleep issues: Calming poses before bed help quiet the mind and body.
• Lymphoedema risk and swelling: Gentle, rhythmic movement and breath may support fluid flow. Work with your clinical team if you have lymph node removal or swelling.
• Neuropathy: Slow, mindful movement can improve proprioception (your sense of where your body is in space) and reduce the fear of falling.
• Pain and tightness: Stretching and relaxation can ease muscular tension and support pain management strategies.

Always tailor your practice to your current stage of treatment. On low-energy days, choose more restorative options and shorter sessions.