Video Collection:
YOGA FOR CHEMOTHERAPY
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Accessible to individuals in bed, seated in chair, or ambulatory.
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Focus on stress reduction, peripheral neuropathy, posture, chemo brain, gentle range of motion.
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Videos are intentionally short as individuals on chemo may have reduced activity tolerance. Also, try to add levity and fun into day.
Exercise Disclaimer: As with all exercise programs, when following these exercise videos, you need to use common sense. To reduce and avoid injury, you will want to check with your doctor before beginning any fitness program.
Savasana: In Bed
If you are having trouble getting out of bed, but want to participate in a healing activity, this video may help... because it is healing and it is done right IN bed :-) This may also be helpful if you find yourself ruminating over chemotherapy/cancer and are feeling anxious as it can relax the nervous system, providing a calming effect on the body and mind. Enjoy.
Current research indicates yoga provides numerous positive outcomes for individuals with cancer, helping improve their quality of life, with "significant reductions in symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as enhancements in physical outcomes such as fatigue and sleep quality."
— Giridharan S, Ansari J, Shanbhag N M, et al. (June 19, 2024) Yoga as a Therapeutic Intervention in Cancer Care: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Cureus 16(6): e62668. doi:10.7759/cureus.62668Crocodile & Sphinx Poses - In Bed
When you are struggling to get out of bed due to anxiety or chemo-related fatigue, this is a great way to help yourself feel better: restorative, healing, and relaxing. No equipment needed. Just you in bed!
Chair Yoga: Child’s Pose
When you are feeling unmotivated, depressed, and have "chemo fog"... Child's pose boosts your mood, refreshes your mind, and relaxes your nervous system. It also provides a great stretch for your ankles to help improve one's functional mobility (prevent falls), as well as for relieving tension in your lower back and pelvic regions.
Chair Yoga for Neuropathy & Chemo Brain
This is a carefully-crafted seated yoga practice designed to target MANY issues you may be experiencing with chemotherapy: low mood, self-esteem, chemo-related fatigue, chemo brain, and peripheral neuropathy (numbness/tingling/pain in hands and fingers). These poses can also help with side effects with other breast cancer treatments, such as surgery/lumpectomy/lymph node dissection or radiation treatment: tightness, limited range of motion, and lymphedema in upper extremities.
Seated Exercise - fun range of motion with upbeat music
This is a fun seated exercise routine based on the Otago Exercise Program, that promotes fall prevention during functional mobility.
Wang, Chenyu, Kim, Sung Min. The Otago Exercise Program's effect on fall prevention: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front. Public Health. v. 13 02 June 2025 (2025). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1522952
Music Credit:
Tai Chi
Research studies indicate Tai Chi reduces chemo-induced fatigue, sleep disturbances, and chemo brain, while also helping to boost mood.
Tai Chi for Chemo: Slow Walking
This is a safe and gentle activity for individuals undergoing chemotherapy and getting back into exercise. It focuses on improving balance, standing tolerance and weight-shifting, which may translate to safer and more effective participation in activities of daily living.
The tai chi elements help reduce stress, improve cognitive function (reduce chemo brain/fog), and reduce fall risks. The upper body stretches highlighted at the end of the video may be helpful to individuals in the future, if radiation to the chest or axilla regions will be done.