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Yoga Proven Effective in Complementary Cancer Care

Haute Yoga — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:47:34 +0000

By Jack Bleeker

The 21^st Century has brought with it tremendous strides in cancer survival and the efficacy of therapies. Among the more important aspects of this progress is the implementation of integrative oncology as an effective model for cancer treatment. Integrative oncology emphasizes not only the use of traditional cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and surgery, but also complementary, non-curative therapies designed to ease the process of cancer treatment for the patient. These therapies can range from acupuncture to meditation, but have proven more often than not to be effective in assisting patients through the discomforts commonly associated with traditional cancer treatment. One therapy being incorporated into cancer care in recent years is Yoga.

The primary goals of integrative oncology are to achieve effective cancer treatment while maintaining patient comfort and relief of stress. Just as Yoga has been used for hundreds of years as an effective stress release mechanism for many people, so too is it now being utilized by cancer patients.

While further research is ongoing, preliminary studies examining the effects of Yoga among cancer patients and survivors support the efficacy of Yoga within cancer treatment regimens, including the combating of symptoms caused by chemotherapy drugs. Yoga has shown to dramatically reduce sleeplessness, cancer-related distress, nausea, and excessive fatigue.

Some aggressive cancers are difficult to treat with curative therapies. Many patients of malignancies such as mesothelioma choose to incorporate alternative therapies such as Yoga, not to supplant traditional therapies, but to improve quality of life and reduce anxiety associated with terminal disease. Therapies which can reduce stress levels and alleviate symptoms associated with aggressive chemotherapy cocktails and radiation treatments can be extremely beneficial not only to patients but also to family members and loved ones of patients.

This is not to say however, that Yoga and other alternative therapies are appropriate for all patients. Patients of mesothelioma cancer, for instance, should speak with their oncologist and other doctors to ensure that they are in good enough health to pursue any therapy which could induce mild stress on the body. However, support for Yoga and other well-being-based therapies is growing among the oncology establishment and many cancer centers are introducing sessions designed for patients and family members. If the ultimate goals of complementary cancer care are to introduce therapies which improve comfort levels and reduce stress experienced by patients and loved ones, Yoga will be at the forefront of integrative oncology now and in the future.

Reference

Bower, Julienne E., Woolery, Alison, Sternlieb, Beth, and Garet, Deborah. “Yoga for Cancer Patients and Survivors.” Cancer Control 12 (2005): 165-71

Hydrate

Haute Yoga — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 02:04:37 +0000

HYDRATE YOUR BODY & BRAIN

We provide scales in our studio so that you can properly monitor your body’s water loss during yoga classes. Weigh yourself before and after class to find just how much you are losing. 1 liter of water weighs about 2 pounds. Make sure you bring your body’s level of hydration back to at least where it was before class. You should also be well hydrated before class which will improve your body’s performance and how you feel during class as well.

Good Hydration Cuts the Risk of Disease
Research studies show that good hydration cuts the risk of breast cancer by 79%, reduces the risk of colon cancer by 45% and slashes the risk of bladder cancer by 50%.

Good Hydration Enhances Mental Clarity
A drop of just 2% in body water causes short term memory problems and significant difficulties with concentration. Good hydration helps you become mentally alert throughout the day.

Good Hydration Improves Digestion
A digestive system without sufficient fluid is constipated. Fluid is essential for nutrients to pass through the delicate membranes of the intestines. If the body is adequately hydrated sufficient fluid is present in the digestive track to distribute nutrients throughout the body.

Good Hydration Softens Skin Texture
Adequate hydration makes it possible for water to move through all the membranes of your body so that the largest organ in the body, the skin, is adequately hydrated.

Skin texture softens. The natural aging process is slowed. Wrinkles vanish. Bagging skin tightens.

Good Hydration Slows the Aging Process
Good hydration lowers the surface tension of the water that is ingested and reduces the cluster size of its molecules. Wetting capacity is increased, making water more readily available for transport to each and every cell of the body.

Good Hydration Relieves Back and Joint Pain
A little known fact is that adequate hydration has been shown to relieve back and joint pain for as many as 80% of sufferers.

Good Hydration Helps Control Body Weight
Adequate hydration resets the thirst mechanism in the brain so that hunger is not confused with thirst. The obvious benefit is a subsequent loss of excess weight that is caused by eating too much food.

In summary, what are the mind-boggling benefits of good hydration?

* We look and feel younger.
* Mental clarity gets a welcome boost.
* Our digestive system sends nutrients to each cell
* Weight control is restored.
* Ability to handle stress is enhanced.
* Pain from aching joints is reduced.
* Overall flexibility is restored.

Drink, drink, drink!

Welcome to the Haute Yoga blog!

Haute Yoga — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:26:52 +0000

Welcome to the Haute Yoga blog. This page is for your reading and posting pleasure. If you have any threads you’d like to open for comments, please email us with your topic and content. Feel free to add your thoughts to any subject matter you wish. Have fun and enjoy…

Challenging times give time for yoga.

March 25th, 2009

Some yoga students are turning the recession into an opportunity of a lifetime. According to an article from Reuters.com, some recently unemployed yoga students are taking advantage of their open schedules to enroll in yoga teacher training programs. Though many people enroll in teacher training because they want to change careers, "others are seeing this as a unique opportunity to do something they never had time for before," says Jessica Hinkle, who manages the teacher training program at Yoga Works. Teaching yoga may not pay the bills, but it has other rewards. "My bank account is smaller, yes," new yoga teacher Veronica Wolkow told Reuters. "But my world is bigger.

Do you know anyone who has turned the negative economic circumstances into positive change?