Is Yoga Beneficial For Breast Cancer Survivors?

Researchers from Canada’s University of Windsor testing therapeutic values of Ashtanga Yoga for survivors of breast cancer

Y.S. Rana

Centuries-old Yoga system seems to be slowly but surely catching up across the globe for treatment of diseases where allopathy system of medicines fails. Though it has been established that Yoga asanas are beneficial in treating of a number of diseases, yet with its popularity graph ascending a number of researchers have stepped into the field. From loincloths to leotards, Yoga has come a long way from veiled anonymity to popularity in 5000 years. Can Yoga be beneficial for breast cancer survivors? The latest popularity graph shows that Canada’s University of Windsor researchers are testing therapeutic values of Ashtanga yoga for survivors of breast cancer. It is stated in a two-year study jointly conducted by Professors Kendall Soucie and Josee Jarry and Kinesiology Professor Cheri McGowan. It aims to find out whether Ashtanga yoga can be beneficial to breast cancer survivors. The research is based on two things how Ashtanga Yoga responds physically and psychologically to breast cancer survivors. The university has received 70,000 dollars rant from Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation. Founded in 1857, University of Windsor, which claims to be “Canada’s most personal comprehensive university”, has 15,574 students from nearly 100 countries in 261 undergraduate-graduate-professional programs on a 125 acres urban campus on the banks of the Detroit River in Windsor (Ontario). Edward C. Lumley and Dr. Alan Wildeman are Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor respectively.

The psychological aspect of the study will gauge mental health benefits by surveying participants on increased self-esteem, decreased anxiety and depression, and improved interpersonal relationships. A specialised yoga routine tailored to survivors of breast cancer will be developed, yoga sessions will be filmed and analyzed, and there will be focus groups; it adds. The research suggests that when healthy adults practice Ashtanga yoga, there is a significant improvement in self-esteem, body image and interpersonal functioning, as well as a reduction in depression and anxiety.      Survivors of breast cancer who are finished with chemotherapy and radiation treatments and are cleared for light exercise by their doctors may be eligible to participate in this study. Meanwhile, Hindus have welcomed UOW efforts to explore yoga’s ability to help breast cancer survivors. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada, said that although introduced and nourished by Hinduism, yoga was a world heritage and liberation powerhouse to be utilized by all. According to Patanjali who codified it in Yoga Sutra, yoga was a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical. Yoga, referred as “a living fossil”, was a mental and physical discipline, for everybody to share and benefit from, whose traces went back to around 2,000 BCE to Indus Valley civilization, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out. Credit goes to prime minister Narendra Modi who had made efforts to give world recognition to Yoga in the recent past. Not only in India but also across the world even in Muslim countries are adopting Yoga in their daily life. According to US National Institutes of Health, yoga may help one to feel more relaxed, be more flexible, improve posture, breathe deeply, and get rid of stress.

Yoga Gaining Popularity In America

According to a “2016 Yoga in America Study”, about 37 million Americans, including celebrities now practice yoga; and it is strongly correlated with having a positive self image. Yoga is the repository of something basic in the human soul and psyche, Rajan Zed adds.

Ashtanga Yoga Finds Mention In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra

Ashtanga Yoga (eight-limbed yoga) finds mention in Patanjali’s ancient Yoga Sutra, foundational text of yoga. Outer limbs are yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara; while inner limbs are dharana, dhyana and samadhi.

Himachal-o-Meter

The state’s ups and downs this week

Farmers Cheerful After Rain, Snowfall

Kangra: At last the nature smiled and ended worries of farmers in Kangra valley. Heavy rain in Kangra valley and snow in Dhauladhars has come as a big relief to farmers of the region who had been facing drought-like situation for the past three months. This was the first heavy snowfall in the region. Snow was also witnessed at comparatively lower mountain ranges. The snow reached even Dharamkot, McLeodganj and Naddi areas. The snow and rain also brought relief to the Irrigation and Public Health Department as these would replenish the water sources in the region. Most of the water sources in Kangra valley had dried up due to lack of rains and snow for the past three months. The IPH authorities had been apprehending water shortage in the region. But the situation has changed completely now.

Trouble Brewing For HIMUDA Colony

Dharamshala: The oldest colony of Himachal Pradesh Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) in Chilgari area of Dharamshala seems to be heading for a trouble. It had come up on forestland. Since HIMUDA had not taken clearance from the Union Ministry for Forest and Environment for changing the use of forest land for development of colony, it could now put hundreds of residents in trouble. According to sources, the colony was developed in late 1980s. The land on which the colony was developed is still classified as forest land in revenue record. Matter came to the fore when HIMUDA recently auctioned two properties in the colony. Revenue officials informed authorities that the land being auctioned was still forest land in revenue papers. This was an illegal act. It has put both the forest and HIMUDA officials in a tizzy. Residents might face trouble trouble in case the forest land was not diverted for housing purpose to HIMUDA.

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