The term “yoga” refers to union with Lord. All yoga practices bring you closer to God, and make you realize your Inner-Self.
Yoga dates back to more than 5000 years since the time of the Bhagavad Gita. Patanjali Yoga Sutras were laid down by Sage Patanjali; he explained yoga as the “Ashtang Yoga,” or the eight limbed yoga.
As far as yoga therapy is concerned, we are only concerned with three limbs of yoga—asana, pranayama and dhyana.
Asanas are physical postures, which the practitioner can comfortably hold, while on the other hand, pranayama is controlling or directing the vital energy of the breath. Pranayama is the most important limb of yoga, and is also called as the heart of yoga.Dhyana or meditation is the seventh limb of yoga, and holds a great significance in yoga therapy.
Let me start here with the significance of asanas in cancer. A cancer patient is already quite weak, because of the side effects of chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy or a bone marrow transplant (done in a few cases).
I would not recommend one of the strenuous asanas for a cancer patient; however, he could do the Shav asana.
Shav asana: Shav asana is a relaxation posture, and helps in releasing stress, tension and anxiety. The mind becomes calm and stress-free. Shav asana is also a very effective tool for patients having problems such as depression, high blood pressure and insomnia.
Technique: Lie down on your back, with eyes gently closed. Your arms should be by your sides with palm facing upwards. Your shoulders should be relaxed, and there should be no sign of tension on your face. There should be a gap of about one foot between your feet, and the toes should be pointed sideways.
Now, by a process of auto-suggestion, relax the entire body starting from the toes, and moving upwards to the head. As you begin relaxing your toes, mentally repeat to yourself, “I am relaxing my toes, I am relaxing my toes.” Feel a sense of relaxation in your toes as you relax them. Now mentally repeat, “My toes are completely relaxed.”
Next relax your legs, and then slowly and gradually relax your thighs, abdomen, chest, hand, arms, neck, face and finally the head. Feel a sense of relaxation enveloping your entire body as you relax yourself.
Once you’re in a state of complete relaxation; mentally repeat to yourself, “I am at peace with myself.” You will feel quite calm and stress-free.
Pranayama being the heart of yoga holds a great importance in practically all ailments. As far as cancer is concerned, some of the pranayamas, which are very useful are—deep abdominal breathing, Kapalabhati (forceful exhalations), Anuloma-Viloma (alternate nostril breathing), Nadi shodhan pranayama, External Retention Nadi Shodhan pranayama, Double retention Nadi Shodhan pranayama, Antara pranayama (long retention), Bahya pranayama (external retention) and Hasya pranayama.
Here I am mentioning a few of them:
Deep abdominal breathing: Deep abdominal breathing is a great tool for stress management, and moreover, a good pain reliever. When a patient undergoes a difficult test as a bone marrow biopsy, or experiences pain in his legs after the chemotherapy treatment—deep abdominal breathing is the one, which provides great comfort.
Technique: Sit in sukh asana (cross-legged), or any comfortable posture. Gently close your eyes. Preferably try to keep your back straight, and chin parallel to the ground. Now keep your one hand over the abdomen, and the other over the knee.
Start with observation of breath. Feel your abdomen expanding as you breathe-in fresh air, and contracting as you exhale out stale air. Try to regulate your breath. Breathe-in to the count of 3, and breathe-out to the count of 3.
Now gradually—breathe-in to the count of 5, and breathe-out to the count of 5. Breathing should be slow and deep. Let no thoughts come into your mind. Just observe your breath. You could also mentally repeat a positive affirmation as you do deep abdominal breathing.
Mentally repeat, “I am healthy and full of energy.” You will feel quite relaxed and energized after you complete your practice.
Kapalabhati: Kapalabhati is a great pranayama for cancer patients as it helps in releasing toxins from the system. It might also help in shrinking tumours of cancer patients. Large amount of stale air is released as you practice Kapalabhati.
Technique: Sit in Sukh asana, or any comfortable posture. Try to keep your back straight, and chin parallel to the ground. Now, forcefully throw-out all breath. As you exhale, your abdomen will contract, and the diaphragm will move upwards.
The inhalation shall take place on its own, and the diaphragm shall come back to the rest position.
Now again with force, throw out all breath—feel your abdomen contracting. Continue this process of forceful exhalation for 1 minute. Each time you exhale, the abdomen goes in. In this pranayama, the inhalation takes place on its own, and the abdomen comes back to its normal position.
This pranayama should be done in 3 stages. In the first stage, there is a gap of about 1 second between 2 successive exhalations; in the second stage, there is a gap of about half a second between two successive exhalations, and in the third stage, which is the fastest, there is practically no gap between two successive exhalations.
Meditation (Dhyana): Mediation is very effective in releasing stress and anxiety. It is an inward journey, and makes you realize your Inner-Self. Meditation coupled with affirmations, and visualization might help in healing.
Technique: Sit in any comfortable posture, and gently close your eyes. Now observe your breath. As you breathe-in, feel your abdomen expanding. Your abdomen contracts as you breathe-out.
Gradually try to regulate your breath. Don’t get carried away by thoughts—keep your attention on the breath. Now imagine “healthy blue cells” (colour of divinity which, is generally taken as blue), penetrating each cell of the diseased area (liver, abdomen, kidney etc.).
Gradually visualize the entire diseased area being penetrated with healthy blue cells. Now, form a mental image of being healed. Also mentally repeat to yourself, “I am healthy, and full of strength.” Carry on this practice for about 15 minutes. You will feel quite relaxed and joyful.
I would like to mention here, all yoga practices should be done in consultation with your doctor. You are most welcome to contact me at 91-9810178140 Delhi); e-mail: ramneekwig@gmail.com. You could also visit my website: www,pranayama.asia
Ramneek Wig
DYN (Yoga and Naturopathy) Gold Medalist
e-mail: ramneekwig@gmail.com
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