Chemo Yoga

If you are in the unfortunate position that you have to undergo chemotherapy, the process is long and tedious and will test your strength.

When you go in, treatments can last up to four hours for the medicine, hydration and other shots you might need to keep your system going while fighting the disease.

Sitting for long periods of time can be exhausting.

Busying your mind with friends, visitors, books, music and conversation are all good for passing the time.

Movement is also important.

Please ask your doctor if the following exercises are ok for you to do whilst undergoing treatments.

Ok, you're plugged in. Either your left or right arm will be hooked up to the treatment.

1. Sit back in your chair and relax your arms. Keep your feet open hip distance, feet on the floor.
Inhale and extend your legs straight, engaging your upper thighs and hold for a beat then exhale and release your feet back to the floor.
Repeat several times.
If you can, add a point of the feet when the legs are elevated and inhale, then flex the foot as you exhale. Repeat as much as feels comfortable.

2. Sit on your chair, your back away from the back of the chair. Feet hip distance, knees hip distance. Stand up as you inhale, then sit down as you exhale. Do several times.

3. Sitting straight up on the chair, back away from the back of the chair, take an inhale, then exhale as tilt your pelvis forward, rounding your low back, like you are about to pick something off the floor, then sit up straight as you inhale. Round again then sit up straight.

4. Sitting on the chair, back slightly away from the back of the chair, take your shoulders up towards your ears as you inhale then release them back and down as you exhale. Do several times. Then take the shoulders up towards the ears and forward. Do several times.

5. Sitting on the chair, take an inhale and extend the arms long in front of you like a zombie. Exhale as you bend the elbows and release them back to the arm rest. You should be able to do this while hooked up to the drip. If it's uncomfortable for the arm receiving treatment, just use the other arm. Repeat several times.

6. Sitting on the chair, relax your body and just focus on spreading the fingertips as wide as you can as you breathe in. Relax the fingers as you breathe out. Repeat several times.

7. Still sitting, take your right ear and relax it down toward your right shoulder. Take 5 breaths as deep as you can.
Then return the head to center and do the left side.

8. Still sitting, inhale as you slowly drop your head back like you are looking at something on the ceiling. Exhale as you return your head back to neutral. Repeat a few times if you feel comfortable.

9. Still sitting slightly away from the back of the chair, take both hands to the left arm rest, gently twisting your spine.
Hold for a few breaths. Switch sides.

These are simple, small exercises you can do to keep the joints lubricated, keep the mind busy and work on keeping up your strength.

Walk around a little if you can.

Add a seated forward fold if you can, breathing deeply. You can do it standing as well, but it is very important to move slowly if you add this move and keep the knees slightly bent. When the head is lower than the heart, dizziness and lightheadedness can occur, when returning upright. We want you to feel as good and as comfortable as you can while getting treatment.

If nausea or dizziness follows any of these exercises or deep breathing, stop immediately.

Again, talk to your doctor and go over the above.

Trial and error.