Yoga: 6 Pranayama For Cancer Patients

You are currently viewing Yoga: 6 Pranayama For Cancer Patients

Many cancer patients are taking help of yoga to deal with their treatment. The reason is that Yoga makes their bodies and minds calm, even when they have medical problems. 

Yoga Includes A Breathing Approach Towards A Better Wellbeing With Practices Such As Pranayama. This approach is all about controlling one’s breath. Moreover, it has a wide range of positive effects.

“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” – The Bhagavad Gita

In this article, we will discuss six different techniques of Pranayama. These techniques help patients breathe deeply and feel calm. Cancer patients while undergoing the treatment, do yoga to make themselves feel stronger and more peaceful. As a result, their overall health is maintained.

Below are the six techniques of Pranayama that might help cancer patients to undergo treatment at ease: 

1. Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing):

Anulom Vilom

Anulom Vilom, or “Alternate Nostril Breathing,” may help cancer patients cope with mental and physical challenges. Deep, Regulated Respiration Restores Physical And Psychological Balance. 

The Anulom Vilom breathing technique instructs the practitioner to inhale and exhale only via the nostrils in a predefined sequence to restore energy channel balance. This practice calms and clears the mind. Cancer patients may benefit from this treatment. The operation expands the lungs, restoring respiratory capacity lost to previous therapeutic procedures. Deep and steady breathing can help supply oxygen to cells, supporting healing and well-being. 

Additionally, Anulom Vilom reduces tension and anxiety, typical cancer therapy side effects. This may improve sleep, tiredness, and emotional management in patients.

Cancer patients can adopt Anulom Vilom into their training routine to improve their physical and mental health. This gives patients resilience for therapy.

2. Bhastrika (Bellows Breath):

Bhastrika

Bhastrika Pranayama, or “Bellows Breath,” may help cancer patients throughout treatment and rehabilitation. The critical aspect of vigorous respiration is fast and deep inhalations and exhalations, like the bellows’ operation. The respiratory system and organisms will benefit more from this. 

Bhastrika Pranayama, a breathing method, may help cancer patients improve oxygen intake, lung expansion, and well-being. During therapy, people may feel exhausted and unable to work. Bhastrika seeks to revitalize and energize the body to fix this. Controlled breathing increases cell oxygen intake, which may aid the body’s healing processes. Also, cancer patients generally experience increased mental anguish and worry. The nervous system relaxes using Bhastrika, a breathing practice with a constant pattern. Thus, this relaxation response reduces stress and improves cognition.

3. Sheetali Pranayama (Cooling Breath):

Sheetali Pranayama

Sheetali Pranayama, commonly known as “Cooling Breath,” may help cancer patients cope with therapy and rehabilitation. The above method rejuvenates beyond the physical realm. To do this, people must breathe with pursed lips or curled tongues. Cancer patients taking chemotherapy or radiation may experience hot flashes. The adoption of Sheetali Pranayama may help these patients. This activity creates a feeling of physical coolness, helping to regulate internal temperature and relieve heat-related discomfort. 

The relaxing effect of Sheetali Pranayama reduces stress and concern. This is especially useful in times of trouble. Breathing regulation has been shown to calm cancer patients, relieving emotional discomfort. Cancer patients can manage physical and mental stress by incorporating Sheetali Pranayama into their health routine.

4. Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breath):

Bhramari Pranayama

The yoga breathing practice Bhramari Pranayama, sometimes called “Bee Breath,” may help cancer patients recover. This simple but effective workout involves breathing and humming like a bee. Bhramari Pranayama has many health benefits for cancer patients. According to empirical research, the genuine oscillations created by humming calm the central nervous system. This strategy reduces stress, anxiety, and emotional upheaval prevalent in cancer treatment

Bhramari Pranayama activates the parasympathetic nerve system to calm the body and mind. This technique also emphasizes intentional, controlled respiration, which promotes mindfulness. Individuals can better handle discomfort and improve cognitive clarity. Bhramari Pranayama vibrations can trigger the thyroid gland and improve its performance, potentially regulating hormonal balance. This approach also increases participants’ oxygen intake and lung capacity, which may aid cancer patients who encounter respiratory issues due to their treatment.

When cancer patients add Bhramari Pranayama into their holistic health routine, they can find inner peace, improve their resilience, and become more aware of their breathing. This technique may help patients cope with medicinal side effects.  

5. Ujjayi Pranayama (Victorious Breath):

Ujjayi Pranayama

The “Victorious Breath,” or Ujjayi Pranayama, has shown promise as an adjuvant cancer treatment. In this regulated respiration technique, people inhale and exhale while slightly tightening their throat muscles. This device produces a pleasant ocean-like sound. Cancer patients may benefit from Ujjayi Pranayama.

First, it improves pulmonary airflow, aiding pre- and post-cancer treatment. The focused quality of Ujjayi breathing increases environmental awareness and calms people. So, this Practice Helps Manage The Stress, Worry, And Emotional Turmoil Of Cancer. This approach can improve emotional regulation and stability by lowering heart rate and promoting inner peace. Ujjayi Pranayama can also promote movement-respiration synchronization, keeping the body agile and resilient. Medical professionals and trained yoga instructors should advise cancer patients before including Ujjayi Pranayama in their exercise routine. This will help people customize the process.

6. Dirga Pranayama (Three-Part Breath):

Dirga Pranayama

Dirga Pranayama, or the Three-Part Breath, may help cancer patients cope with therapy and recover faster. This technique emphasizes attentive inhaling and exhaling air from the diaphragm, chest, and abdomen.

Dirga Pranayama helps improve the health of cancer patients. Consistent slow, deep breathing may benefit cancer patients to relax and reduce stress. The purposeful development and contraction of the diaphragm enlarges the lungs, improving respiration during and after therapy. The Three-Part Breath method also oxygenates the body, aiding its cleansing processes and boosting vigor. This practice helps people become more conscious and connected to the present, improving their emotional well-being despite challenges. Dirga Pranayama, a breathing technique, may improve sleep, focus, and mind-body connection. As a nutritional supplement, this medication helps bone cancer patients build resilience and stamina during recovery.

Conclusion

Through pranayama, cancer patients can heal and empower themselves. Anulom Vilom, Bhastrika, Sheetali, Bhramari, Ujjayi, and Dirga may reduce cancer symptoms. These approaches have different advantages. Pranayama, which relaxes, improves breathing, and increases awareness, can help people find serenity under challenging situations. However, these efforts must be guided by a trained professional and adapted to each person’s needs.

The Integrative Use Of Pranayama In Cancer Treatment May Improve Well-Being, Resilience, And Vitality.

“The practice of ‘asanas’ and ‘pranayama’ wards off disease and helps to maintain alertness.” – Sivananda

Also Read: Yoga’s Role In Cancer Recovery And Resilience