Yoga for Cancer

Tari Prinster is a certified yoga teacher, founder of yoga4cancer, former director of Women’s Cancer Survivor Program at Om Yoga, New York City, yoga ambassador for the Living Beauty Foundation, and a breast cancer survivor. Her work has been featured in the documentary YogaWoman and in Yoga Journal. She has presented at conferences held by Yoga Journal, Yoga Service Council, and International Alliance of Yoga Therapists and has published articles in many yoga publications. She lives in New York City and Vermont.

“Prinster, a breast cancer survivor and certified yoga teacher, presents an innovative plan to help readers diagnosed with cancer reap the benefits of yoga practice, from diagnosis through recovery. Admitting she was initially skeptical of yoga’s “healing powers,” Prinster takes readers through the scientific research, concluding that yoga can function as the “organ muscle” of the lymphatic system: helping with lymphatic drainage, venous return, bone building, relaxation, and immune function. Prinster also persuasively demonstrates how yoga can cleanse and strengthen the body, increase range of motion and flexibility, strengthen the spine, alleviate weight gain, and help patients deal with pain, fear, and anxiety. To meet the particular needs of cancer patients, the book presents 53 different poses, appropriate for different diagnoses or stages of treatment. Although Prinster notes the advantages of taking a group yoga class, this text will help readers build their own home practice (particularly useful for those who can’t locate a survivor class or would like to supplement one). In clear, compassionate language, Prinster explains her methodology and eloquently argues for yoga as a “prescription for reclaiming life and as a wellness plan for moving on to long-term health.”

• Foreword by Cyndi Lee Foreword by Robyn Frankel-Tiger, M.D. Preface Introduction A Wellness Plan for Survival Part 1Understanding Cancer and the Benefits of Yoga1 My Story 2 The Science of Cancer and Yoga 3 Applying the Science for Recovery and Prevention Part 2How to Build Your Own Yoga Practice4 The y4c (yoga4cancer) Methodology 5 Preparing for Your Practice 6 Creating Your Yoga Practice andLearning the Poses Starting Your Practice Taking Your Seat Finding Dynamic Stillness Taking Time to Breathe A Moment of Meditation Getting Warmed Up Starting to Move with Your Breath Arm Vinyasas Seated Hip and Spine Warm-Ups Warm-Ups on Your Back--Supine Vinyasas Warm-Ups on Hands and Knees Belly-Down Poses--Prone Vinyasas Getting Up and Down Building Strength, Bones, and Balance Standing Poses Sun Salutations Warrior Poses Balancing Acts Rest and Restore Restorative Poses Savasana/Sunset Pose 7 Sample Practices for Varying Stages of Your Treatment and Recovery In Treatment--30 Minutes In Recovery--30 Minutes Maintaining the New Normal--30 Minutes Gaining Strength--30 Minutes In Treatment--60 Minutes In Recovery--60 Minutes Maintaining the New Normal--60 MinutesGaining Strength--60 Minutes Gaining Strength--90 Minutes 8 Poses to Target Common Side Effects Lymphedema Bone Loss Weight Gain Range of Motion/Scar Tissue--Upper Body Range of Motion/Scar Tissue--Lower Body Anxiety/Insomnia Constipation/Bloating/Abdominal Obstruction Detoxification Neuropathy Incontinence Conclusion Cancer Steals Your Breath, Yoga Gives It Back Resources for Survivors, Teachers, and Caretakers Notes Bibliography Index