YOGA THERAPY ACROSS THE CANCER CARE CONTINUUM

A comprehensive guide to yoga therapy for both cancer patients and their caregivers.

Integrative oncology specialist Leibel and School of Embodied Yoga Therapy director Pitman explore the use of yoga across the spectrum of cancer care in this guide. They divide their book into multiple sections, touching on the therapeutic role of yoga in clinical practices; the science behind cancer and its treatment; the biological intersection of yoga and cancer; and the “cancer care continuum.” They support their assertions with extensive references to scientific research. Helpful information abounds, from the practicalities of using yoga as therapy (addressing where sessions may best be held, and so on) to details about different forms of traditional cancer treatment patients might be experiencing. The meat of the book lies in the sixth chapter in which 38 contributing authors share their stories about how yoga therapy “can support mind, body, and spirit at every phase of the cancer care continuum.” Intermittent illustrations support the text, such as showing what a “tree pose” looks like for those who need assistance with yoga practice near the end of their lives. The work also discusses more advanced forms of yoga, such as Prānic Energization Technique. Anonymized personal anecdotes, such as story of a client expecting her first grandchild, add a human touch to often difficult subject matter in which clients learn through yogic techniques how to cope with their fear of death. However, it should be noted that the book can dense and dry at times, as when it frequently relies on yoga terminology: “From a yogic point of view, we see the remarkable intercommunication (through the kośa-s) demonstrated in the ‘stress response’; emotions (manomaya) can affect the body (annamaya), and the body can influence the mind.” However, this is counterbalanced by a great deal of helpful and relevant information. The authors clearly have a strong grasp of their subject matter and, by the end of the work, many readers will, too.

A well-researched and detailed resource for those interested in supplementing traditional cancer care with yoga techniques.