Yoga Therapy Across the Cancer Care Continuum

Yoga therapists are essential in providing skilled, equitable, and compassionate support to individuals affected by cancer throughout their journey. This book explores the unique emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual experiences of people at each stage of the cancer care continuum and the responsive support offered by yoga therapy. It also shares the unique perspective of 40 oncology yoga therapists with exceptional expertise working with diverse cancer populations. The book highlights practical and professional considerations for yoga therapists and teachers working in cancer, including scope of practice, informed consent, safety considerations, and contraindications. It calls for the integration of yoga therapy into standard oncology care and discusses barriers, obstacles, and suggestions for the way forward. It recognizes Yoga as a time-honored mind-body science originating in ancient India and shares yogic teachings with gratitude and utmost respect.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 12 December 2022
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Cancer is a challenging and complex disease that requires skilled, equitable, and compassionate support. Yoga therapists are an integral part of an evidence-informed healthcare team that provides comprehensive care throughout the cancer experience. This article explores the unique emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual experiences of people at each stage of the cancer care continuum, including diagnosis, acute treatment, no evidence of disease or living with chronic disease, cancer recurrence, and end of life. It also discusses the biology of cancer, the challenges associated with different types and stages of malignancy, adverse side effects of conventional treatment, comorbid health conditions, and their impact on the whole person. The article features the perspectives of 40 oncology yoga therapists with extensive expertise working with diverse cancer populations in academic medical centers, hospitals, clinics, studios, in-home, and via telehealth. It includes clinical experience and scientific research that highlights relative contraindications and clinical pearls. Additionally, the article explores a unique model of yoga therapy that is informed by ancient yoga philosophy and modern biomedical research, reinforced by skillful and compassionate therapeutic relationships, intelligent yoga practice, and the tender-hearted humanity of co-regulation and resourcing for both patient/client and therapist. Finally, it highlights practical and professional considerations for yoga therapists and yoga teachers working in cancer.

Weight: 640g
Dimension: 244 x 188 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781912085910