Alchemy of Yoga
Yoga is a tool for self-care
Yoga can help people with cancer reclaim a sense of control over their bodies and fates. Rather than simply waiting for the next treatment, a patient can develop a personal practice to reconnect with the body and reclaim the mind.
In Alchemy of Yoga, yoga master Dharma Mittra tells of one student who was diagnosed with cancer. He devoted himself to learning how to do a headstand, practicing the pose for longer and longer periods of time.
“After a year or so, the cancer just gave up on him,” Mittra says.
Other teachers interviewed for this film explain that, while yoga may not be a cure terminal illness, it has much to offer. Yoga aids digestion and elimination, which can be disrupted by treatments or disease progression. And yoga boosts immunity, as well as mental attitude. The positive effects are cumulative. Once people begin to feel better, they are able to manage with the uncertainties that come with a cancer diagnosis with more confidence and ease.
Yoga may offer a sense of connection and community to people who feel isolated and alone in their suffering. Such support can provide vital nourishment to ailing bodies and spirits.
The wealth of resources available today makes it easy to undertake a regular home yoga practice. Skilled instructors present practices which serve as self-care maps to those dealing with the fallout of a cancer diagnosis.
A light in the darkness
Darkness always hides a light and, sometimes, it shines through. In cancer patients to whom I’ve taught yoga, I’ve witnessed the transcendent peace that comes with understanding that the moment is our greatest treasure and only true possession. Yoga fosters a connection with this inner wisdom and sustenance we each possess. It’s especially important to tap into these resources in times of sickness and distress.
