cancer and heart yoga therapy

8/2/2019 Cancer and Heart Yoga Therapy

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Holy Yoga Specialty ClassesYoga Therapy for Chronic Diseases

By Gina Tricamo, M-HYI

Session 1: Cancer and Heart Conditions

Cancer

A Meditation:

I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains?

No, my strength comes from the Creator of the entire Universe,who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

He won't let you stumble;

your Guardian God won't fall asleep.Not on your life! He will never doze or sleep.

God's your Guardian,

right at your side to protect youShielding you from sunstroke,

sheltering you from moonstroke.

GOD guards you from every evil,He guards your very life.

He guards you when you leave and when you return,He guards you now, he guards you always. Psalm 121

Discussion:

Cancer is one of the most feared diseases in our modern times,

although heart disease comes first in the number of fatalities. Cancerof all types can be related to ones diet, habits, genetics, environmental

factors and abnormalities in the immune system.

There are abnormal cells, with the potential for uncontrolled growth, ineveryones body. Healthy immune systems can get rid of the cells

before tumors develop. When preventive measures are taken, at an

early age, the probability decreases greatly. However, in most cases,when these HEALTH OPPORTUNITIES occur the only option is

intervention. Seeking opportunity in the health issue is important forwholeness in body/mind/spirit.

Hospitals, clinics and therapist are now utilizing the integration ofwestern and eastern treatments as intervention and finding a higher

success wait in survivors.


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Findings: Yoga as an Integrated/Complementary Intervention

In many cases the cancer patients undergoes a series of variouswestern medical treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation,

medications (tamoxifen to block female hormone estrogen fromstimulating the cancer cell)and surgery.

Cancer can make a person feel victimized by the medical system overwhich they have very little control. Harsh medical approaches and other

experimental treatments often cause difficult side effects. It is naturalto feel powerless within these circumstances.

The Yoga Therapist can guide the student to take a holistic plan ofaction to feel better in the moment; students increase chances of long-

term survival and change in the whole psychology of the experience.Often people feel betrayed by their bodies and through yoga therapy

learn to find relaxation and joy in their bodies spaces where true healingtake place.

Research has indicated that yoga therapy is helpful in managing stress,managing side effects, chronic pain and assist in coping with the strong

emotional thought processes from the various battles of the healthopportunity.

Survival Rates charted from a 20 year period taken from The Lancet

publishing:

Thyroid and Testicular Cancer 90%

Melanomas and Prostrate Cancer 80%

Endometrial Cancer 80%

Bladder Cancer 70%

Breast Cancer 65%

Cervical Cancer 60%

Colorectal, ovarian and kidney cancer 50%

Lets look at the research findings from the application of Iyengar(Restorative) Yoga Therapy from the University of Calgary in Canada:


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The study showed the effects of a seven week program of restorativeyoga on women (primary breast cancer survivors) who engaged in

practice once a week for a seventy-five minutes session. The sessionconsisted of gentle breathing in the pose Viparita Karani (Legs-Up-the-

Wall) followed by fifty minutes of modified gentle asana and fifteen

minutes of deep relaxation pose Savasana (Corpse Pose). The studentswere encouraged to engage in self practice at home as well.

Compared to the controlled group, the yoga group had significantly

less:

tension

anxiety

depression

confusion

anger

fatigue diarrhea

emotional irritability

The group:

experienced improvement in their physical fitness and heart rate

showed reduction of toxicity of treatment (in many cases doctors

have to stop treatment or reduce doses in ways that may diminishits effectiveness)

reported more pain researchers speculated that there was more

increased body awareness as the result of their yoga practice)

These yoga methods are especially helpful with pain in the later stages

mindfulness-based meditation (focus)

relaxation chanting (tonal sounds)

guided imagery and relaxation

Yoga Practice Suggestions:

Classes for cancer patients are gentle. There may be a wide

range of strengths so take in consideration and use modifications,adaptations, props and blankets

Movement rather than holding poses. Gentle flow that is slow andmindful movements of the body releases tension

Most poses are done sitting in a chair (once again allow forvariations) or using the chair as a prop for floor asana


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1. Tuning In (attached hand-out)2. Vertical, horizontal and head tilting

3. shoulder shrugs4. full circle rotations of shoulders

5. cat/cow

6. modified shoulderstand7. breath work

8. meditation

Safety needs to be the primary concern when choosing asana forpeople with cancer or any health opportunity! The treatment of cancer

can lead to extreme fatigue. Do not overdo the practice (less is bestwith more rest). Gentleness is the highest priority in preventing injury.

Patients undergoing chemo should be instructed to avoid quick

changes in posture (most injuries occur combining movementssuch as lifting and twisting at the same time)

Some poses lead to fractures where the cancer has spread and

weakened the bones

Avoid exhausting already depleted energy by gentler movementrather than holding poses for any length of time

Avoid hot yoga due to risk for lymphedema ( a frequentcomplication of breast cancer, especially infection of the lymph

nodes under the arms)

Avoid not stretching for a week after surgery

When moving the arms keep elbows bent to reduce stress and

less pressure at the fulcrum of the shoulder When doing cat/table pose keep the arm of the affected side

elevated (avoiding swelling from the force of gravity)

Place hands on wall to modify downward facing dog and avoid

lymphedema

Avoid breath retention (cancer students need the oxygen)

Avoid belly breath (it can increase fatigue for those seriously ill,depleted or using multiple medications)

Holistic Complementary Intervention:

Acupuncture

Diet Measures / Specific Detoxify Remedies

Massages (lymph drainage massages)

Therapeutic Oils/Herbal Medicine (ginger for nausea, valerian forinsomnia and anxiety)

Therapeutic Touch, Healing Touch n Energy Work for cancer

patients

Palliative Pain Intervention


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Psycho-therapy and Spiritual Life CoachingI look up to the mountains, from where does my help come

from? My help comes from the Creator of the entire Universe.

Mental Health, Spiritual Belief and Faith

Spirituality is an important part of yoga as medicine. Facing cancer stirs

up fear and worries about death. Creating a spiritual space opens up

acceptance to whatever is to take place. The cognitive processing ofacceptance then increases the values of hope and faith. In turn,

spiritual focus improves the quality of life and assist in the dyingprocess.

In most cases when presented with a health opportunity, it creates atime of reflection and seeking a deeper spiritual understanding and

desire for spiritual growth relationally.

Integration of a holy yoga therapeutic practice creates a safe and sacredspace to breathe in the meditative words of scriptures and create

wisdom and discernment within the value of relationship with an

intimate, caring and loving God.

Lets look at an interesting study on the psychological and spiritualgrowth and transformation to understand the value of holy yoga therapy

as a means to meet the whole person in body/mind/spirit.

An evidence based study, Psychological and Spiritual Growth Associatedwith the Experience of Breast Cancer by Kathleen Wall, PhD and ArielleWarner, PhD, at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, was

conducted from the experience of breast cancer with clients

participation in a yoga based psycho-social intervention.

Twelve women, diagnosed with breast cancer, within the past fiveyears, shared their growth and transformation during the intervention.

The measurement was within four categories:

1.

Coping Behaviors and Attitudes Related to Distress andChallenges2. Spiritual Transformation Related to Pre-Cancer Issues

3. Spirituality

4. Evaluations of Priorities and Values


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Coping Behaviors and Attitudes Related to Distress and Challenges

100% of participants found benefits from their diagnosis

So, I am grateful for having breast cancer. There isso much I have gained from having itI wouldnt

change it. 92% of participants expressed support from family and

friends The way they have helped me is the growing

sense of community. I just really strongly felt peoplewere there for melet me know that they love me is

a very valuable gift.

75% of participants demonstrated positive thinking andgratitude Rather than being negative about it, I

pretty much embraced it. Because I pretty much felt

like, if Im really crabby and negative about this Im

not going to get anywhere. Im not going to get well.Im not going to feel better, so I wasnt negative. Iwas always kinda like; Im going to be okay.

67% of participants acceptance of research and education

Treat it like a project. You go to the doctor, you have toknow what questions to ask, make a list, just continue

asking, read about it

50% of participants responded to group support Ineeded to talk to other people or just be around other

people so I went to the support group and of course Iwas the youngest one there and basically went in

there and cried for two hours. They just let me go offand vent. Im so scared. I cant get through 5minutes.

50% of participants attitude to get the cancer out - My

immediate response was get it the hell out of me,now! That was my instant reactionhave it done,

over with, get everything off, but away, I wanted thatcancer off me.

42% acknowledged spirituality, meditation, and faith as

way to cope with distress I went to the library and I

got books on positive thinking and meditation and Igot books on, not really the bible, but religion based

booksso whenever I started to feel sort of panicky Iwould do these meditations in my head: God is with

me, God will send you through, that kind of thing. Itwas weird how I kind of carried myself through, God

carried me through.


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33% reflected on denial And I was just in denial, Idont think I want to deal with this cancer.

25% view on facing the fears I surrendered to the

fear and I just started feeling the fear. Ok, Im justgoing to just feel the fear and go with it and not keep

trying to pretend.

Spiritual Transformation Related to Pre-Cancer Issues

75% illustration of letting go A time when both of us

looked at each other and said okay, you know, we needto let go of the stupid petty stuff in the past and just let

go because thats not what is really importantwe kindof let go of so much that had been pestering both of us.

I mean little things and words that were said and angry

things that hadwe let go of a lot at that point

75% illustration of Self-care: slowing down and receiving Ilearned that I needed to slow down, that I needed to

take more time and that would benefit my family in thelong runthere was a need for me to stop and just look

at where I was and say hey! You are working yourselfto death.

It was so good for me to realize that there needed tobe a back and forth with it. Not just me giving to others,

but receiving as well to receive graciously.

42% illustration of empowerment and self-esteem Andjust in general I felt that I had sort regained the ability

to cope with things that I felt not competent about theyear before.

Spirituality

66% participants indicated enhancing spirituality its like afinding almostlike finding my faith in Goddiscovering

it, maybe, Ive always believed in it, and Ive alwaysbelieved in God and Ive always tried to follow the

golden rulebut it was a completely different meaning

for me when I went through this experiencefor me it

was more of a discovery of how I believe or what Ivebelieve.

50% participants expressed feeling taken care of by God/theDivine I just reached both of my hands up like this,

straight upI had a vision of blue light of consciousnessand it was reaching down to me and I felt that every

thing was going to be ok and everything else was going

to be taken care of and from that point on it was


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different this is where I am and its all going to be ok.I dont know how exactly its all going to work out but

everything will be ok. A clarity about that.There was a time during the night, it was a semi-

conscious state but I do remember feeling very

surrounded by angels or presence of something there,very connected to something, that was in my opinion

unearthly, but that was a very difficult night. At thatpoint, I kind of felt like ok, Im going to get through this

somehow, I am going to get through it.

I think that was all part of the plan for me. But hereally, this higher power, which I chose to call God does

really care about me.

33% participants reported no spiritual change I wouldhave thought it would have open me up to be more

spiritual but I think I was in such confusion, suchunsettled living conditions that kept me, my mind busy

and didnt put me into my spirituality as much as Iwould like to.

77% participants shared existential reflection I, wellI

dont [think it is] God, but its like you know that first ofall things can happen, and can happen to you.

Evaluations of Priorities and Values

58% participants illustrate appreciation and strengthening of

personal relationships The relationships with people are like

for me one of the most important things in life, if not themostand like family and friends, relationships with

people became much, much higher. I mean it had a highpriority before, but it moved it to a different scale.

50% participants expressed a greater appreciation for life I

learned to appreciate the things I took for granted beforeand to set priorities differently.

A sense of what is important in life, I have been able to

look past material needs now, I just dontI dont needanythingthere is not a lot of wants anymore.

41% participants illustrate reaching out to the community Ikind of look at my cancer now and I thinkI never would

have helped out those people in any way.

Because of the [breast cancer] I feel more human and Ireach out to more people in need.

In conclusion, the data gathered suggest that the experience of breast

cancer, combined with the opportunity to practice yoga created a


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recognizable association with psycho-spiritual growth andtransformation, in addition to distress and challenges.

As yoga therapist it is important to understand and be comfortable with

the specific dialogue that occurs with the challenges of being diagnosed.

We have the opportunity be still, connect in a non-judgmental way tolisten with the ears of Christ, have compassion with the heart of Christ,

gently extend our hands with the touch of Christ and utilize the gifts ofthe Spirit to guide the cancer patient(s) towards the grace of being fully

present in body/mind/spirit through the stages of their journey.

HEART CONDITIONS

A Meditation:

I will pour water over you

I will scrub you cleanI will remove the stone heart

I will give you a new heartI will put a new spirit in you

I will put My Spirit in you Ezekiel 36:24-26

Heart disease is the number one killer in the modern world. Men andwomen are both affected by it and research indicated, that even though

symptoms show up in men at a earlier age, women suffer more hearth

attacks then men.

Men and womens symptoms vary as well. Men have the classic heartattack symptoms; pain radiating to the shoulder, jaw, or arm. Women

have milder pain in the chest and abdomen, fatigue and weakness and

months of vital exhaustion.

We all know someone or have been personally affected by a heart issue.In most recent years, we are seeing younger and younger adults

impacted with these conditions and in many cases, in the case ofstrokes, lives are changed completely. In my own private practice the

clients with heart issues shared one of their on going fear was when

would there be another unexpected heart attack with severe ordetrimental consequences. It is important to enter into a

compassionate and reassuring practice as they begin to move throughtheir life changes.

We will be focusing on:

Risk factors


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Benefits of yoga therapy

Specific Poses

Appropriate adaptations/position avoidances for heart issues

Risk Factors:

Type A personality (a behavior characteristic by aggressiveness,anger, hostility, a sense of constant urgency and a driving focus

to over-achieve at all cost)

High levels of stress

Smoking

Elevated cholesterol

Genetic Disposition (family history)

Overweight

Diabetes

High blood pressure

Inflammations (rheumatic arthritis, gingivitis)

Benefits of yoga therapy for heart issues:

Reduces stress hormone cortisol

Calms emotions of anger, fears, anxiety

Increases attitudes of compassion and gratitude

raises heart rate in aerobic range

breath work improves cardiovascular conditioning and lung

functions

lowers LDL, HDL and cholesterol

Antidote for depression

Systematically unblocks large and small blockages

Creates an overall sense of hopefulness

Specific Asana:

Yoga Chair Poses are over all the most preferred as they assist in

warming up the subtle bodies and facilitate lowering heart rates,

relieving angina pain, and release of spasms in the coronary arterieswithout posing further risk during the practice. I have found placing a

block under the feet during chair poses aligns the knees with the hips

and elevates any stressors to the systems.

Yoga Chair series:

Neck movements

Shoulders alternating sides - up to ears movements, bothshoulders up to ears, shoulder circles


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Ankle movements

Knee to chest movements

Cat/cow movements

Lateral bending of trunk with hands on hips

Hip flexion, extension and rotation

Seated spinal rotation Elbow flexion and extension movement

Wrist flexion, extension and rotation movement

Hands and fingers open and closing movement

Standing Posture:

Standing Swinging Twist (gentle wind milling arms and moving

fingers)

Mountain pose and alternating lifting one arm at a time over thehead with continuous breath

Warrior I with hands on hips (intermediate) Modified side body angle with hands on hip and then releasing and

drawing arm/hand down along leg for deeper side body opening

(intermediate)

Table poses:

Cat series - cat/cow, lateral cat and hip circles

Modified runner with back knee of floor (intermediate)

Corpse poses:

Knee to chest with the opposite leg bent at knee and sole of footon floor

Knees to chest movement (drawing knees to chest on exhalation

and knees away from chest on inhalation for abdominalstrengthening)

Leg Stretch with strap with short holds (intermediate)

Pelvic Lift and Tilt to Half Bridge (intermediate)

Restorative Half Frog *

Restorative Knees Down Twist (Prone and Supine) *

Restorative Reclining Butterfly *

Restorative Savasana *

* Restorative poses are positioned with blocks. Restorative chestopeners are relaxing, expand the chest, and allow deep breaths to bring

oxygen to the systems and help in the development of collateral blood

vessels.


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Appropriate adaptations/position avoidances for heart issues

Arm balance poses, full backbends and some standing poses can

be too stressful

Holding poses for a length of time is not suggested

Breath should not be held for any length of time Iyengar advises against unsupported inversions due to the weight

of the abdominal organs putting strain on the heart

Iyengar advises to forego long holds of downward facing dog

Iyengar advises when doing standing or warrior poses the hands

are on the hips rather than overheadto lessen the burden of theheart

Avoid straining or pushing in poses

Relaxation poses for heart patients with shortness of breath need

to be adjusted by propping against walls or a chair against the

wall

As yoga therapist, are goal is to help facilitate a hopeful and positive

outcome! There are many yoga methodologies of meditative andmindful practices specific for heart issues and bringing the student into

a calm state. One may think that is an easy task, but most heartpatients deal with hypertension and a sense of urgency, which

challenging the idea of being still and calm.

Joseph and Lillian Le Page, authors of Integrative Yoga Therapy,

facilitated an 8 week yoga training called IYT Healthy Heart Program fordoctors, nurses and heart patients at their Mountain Yoga Center in

Garopaba, Brazil. The goal was for the patients to have the carenecessary from the doctors, with nurses monitoring heart rate and

diabetes level after each sessions, and doctor/nurses engaging in the

Healthy Heart Program along side patient-participants.

The therapeutic classes were two and half hours long and considered acomplete yoga wellness intervention. The IYT Healthy Heart Program

consisted of:

Mundras (pressure point hand positions) and affirmations(positive injunctions)

Pranayama and asana practice

A ten-step yoga nidra (relaxation focus each body part integrated

into wholeness of complete body)

Sharing and group support


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Results from a qualitative standpoint and quantitative research showsignificant improvement in a group of 18 measured for systolic blood

pressure and diastolic blood pressure:

SBL fell from 151.6 (before the first class) to 122.2 (end ofprogram)

DBL decreased from an average of 98.3 to 75.6 mmHg

Take heart [my daughter]; your faith has healed you [she] was healed fromthat moment. Mathew 9:22

Time open for questions, comments and/or reflections

cancer and heart yoga therapy

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