Yoga and lymphedema

Last July I had a lumpectomy and removal of 13 lymph glands from the right arm.  Last October I started a once a week yoga class, but it is mainly flexibility and breathing.  So far I've had no problem with swelling.  I'd suggest discussing your concerns with the class teacher as normally they may suggest a 'softer' movement to cater for injuries/weak spots.

I take Kundalini Yoga which actually has fabulous exercises specifically targeting the lymphatic system.  It uses a lot of deep breathing and opening up the fluid flow.  I find Kundalini Yoga very beneficial.

Debbie 

Aylin,

My LE therapist told me that we are not to do any poses where we will be supporting our weight with our arms, like the downward facing dog pose, which I used to do ALL THE TIME....  sigh... I guess NOTHING is ever going to be the same after bc.

Harley

Hi,

Yoga  can actually be good to help move lymph if you do Restorative Yoga. If you check with the Wellness Center (they recently  changed their name to Community something or other) you may be able to find it free. Here's a story I wrote on restorative yoga, specifically designed to deal with lymphedema.

Restorative yoga eases lymphedema and fear

If you've had lymph nodes removed during breast cancer surgery, you may experience lymphedema - or a buildup of fluid in your arm, ankles or feet. You may know drainage massages and lymphedema sleeves help, but there's also a new type of yoga- restorative yoga - to get the lymph flowing. And restorative yoga comes with other benefits.

"Practicing yoga poses and breathing techniques through breast cancer yoga therapy targets the soft tissue areas. It keeps the chest tissues from shrinking and promotes the opening and healing in this area. But it also helps with the overall sense of loss of control, fear of death and profound changes that a cancer diagnosis can bring to your life," says Diana Ross, who has taught yoga for over 16 years. It is the relaxation piece and the support her students bring to each other that are as critical as the physical, Diana says.

When you walk into her yoga room, the lights and music are low. She covers each of her students, now resting on warm blankets to protect their kidneys from the cold. Pressing their shoulders down gently, Diana places a pillow on their eyes.

And then she leads into the first pose, a gentle flowing twist to the right, with knees bent, feet hip distance apart. "Now take notice of your very conscious inhale and then exhale and let go into the moment," she says.

 She walks them through the whole series of free flowing movements, reminding them again to pay attention to their breathing - it's key to relaxation. It's key to letting go of the fear, anxiety and depression that come with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Some of her students have known her and each other for years. "As they got older and had knee hip or shoulder surgeries and emotional upset, I began to adapt  my classes for more nurturing. I use a ton of props. Soft music, forgiving bolsters to give support,  pillows and blocks to support your knees," she says.

The yoga instructor with triple digit credit hours in anatomy of movement, the circulatory, respiratory, and autonomic nervous systems, tells them about the studies on yoga.

"Research shows that when patients hear they have breast cancer there is an abundance of intrusive thoughts. These prolonged thoughts may create sleep disturbances, psychological stress, and an elevation in stress hormones. But when patients embrace a steady yoga practice, along with standard care, these symptoms will decrease."

The philosopher in Diana goes on to talk about other things - her last trip to India to see her guru, who she calls her spiritual mother. She talks about being dunked and blessed in the Ganges River, visiting the Taj Mahal, and she shares some deep thoughts.

"What we have versus what they have not in India is so different. They are accepting of their lot. It's a good thing to be more accepting and less wanting for our happiness," she says, more to teach what intrigues her than to pass judgment. She can't stress enough that peace of mind is big to healing.

For more on breastcancer yoga, or to learn about Diana's Restorative Breast Cancer book, you can visit her site: www.breastcanceryoga.com.  The book has 300 poses with a listing of benefits, contraindications, and easy instructions.

You can find other restorative yoga books at : http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=restorative+yoga+books&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=3649212797&ref=pd_sl_252e0w2zfw_b

Restorative Yoga Research:

http://blogs.yogajournal.com/yogabuzz/2009/02/restorative-yoga-helps-cancer-patients.html

If you ladies get a chance, will you visit my site where I posted this restorative yoga article? Lots of stories on great programs,  organizations doing wonderful things (like breastcancer.org) and other stuff. It's www.1UpOnCancer.com

Best,

Rachel

Rachel, I'm taking a break from it (because I broke my LE hand) but for at least a year and a half I went twice a week to a good teacher: once for Tai Chi and once for Qi Gong--and I did find the slow deliberate movements were helpful.

For some reason, along with breaking my hand, I just needed a break from it--but could see resuming soon. 

Much of qi gong was meditation, but there were also therapeutic movements. The teacher was quite good. 

Kira