How yoga helps with breast cancer
Assisted by aids, women can also practice yoga shortly after the operation
Like the princess on the pea, she lies there. Several layers of thick pillows are stacked on assembled chairs. And on top of this "throne" Susanne Haustein, relaxed on her back, her arms spread out comfortably and laid on the sides, small bags on her eyes to keep the outside from disturbing the inside. With each breath she seems to sink deeper into the pillow mountain, her facial features are released, at some point she starts to smile. Even if it does not look like this: Susanne Haustein, 45, does yoga. "Salamba Purvottanasana" is the name of the exercise. It deepens the breathing, regulates the blood pressure, calms and invigorates. And is part of a special program for women with breast cancer, which is now being scientifically examined in the Essen-Mitte Clinic as part of a study with 100 patients. It has been compiled by the Indian master of yoga B.K. S. Iyengar.
The 93-year-old is known for his systematically ordered, precise exercise series, especially for diseases. And so that the asanas can be carried out more easily, he uses aids. "After breast surgery, women can not do traditional yoga exercises," says Rita Keller, director of the Iyengar Yoga Institute Rhein-Ahr e.V. Anna Paul, director of mind-body medicine in Essen, has initiated. "The asanas have to be adapted to the disease and the handicaps compensated by aids.
In addition, the patients need a very individual and very intensive personal care. "The goal is to achieve maximum relaxation and deepening your breathing, using everything that helps women to do so: pillows, blankets, chairs, wooden blocks, straps." For example, an arm can not be opened well because: As the surgeon tightens the operation scar, the therapist places it on cushions so that the tissue is gently stretched, and because it is tiring to grasp the legs with the soles of the feet together, the feet and legs are gently fixed with a strap. to hold the position, she can let go and relax better.
Rita Keller, expert for Iyengar Yoga, and Professor Gustav Dobos of the Essen-Mitte clinics now want to scientifically prove the effects of the yoga program
"Everyone needs support to learn something," says B.K. S. Iyengar. They provide trust in the teacher and help to avoid mistakes in the exercises.With tools anyone can practice without stress, without worry and without fear.Thus, everyone, even the elderly, the weak and the sick, can practice and practice yoga without hindrance benefit from it. " Rita Kallmeyer lies on the floor, her head and neck on a blanket, her legs in a chair.
Quite well, the 48-year-old does not seem to feel. Yoga teacher Anke Roth-Langels pushes her pad under the pelvis and back, corrects the posture of her upper body, spreads blankets under the arms outstretched sideways and gently wraps a strap around her legs. Finally, Rita's slightly strained look relaxes, lying soft and comfortable. Now she can hold the position effortlessly. Your chest opens, breathing becomes deeper, circulation and lymph flow are stimulated. This can prevent edema, a risk of breast cancer surgery. "Stepped Viparita Karani", shoulderstand lying down.
At first, women do not have to do much themselves. Only later will follow two more exercise series in which they are slowly becoming active, forces to build. Immediately after surgery and during chemo and radiation treatment, when they are still very needy, they tend to remain passive. The therapist stores her well, puts her in the right position and makes sure that she can stay in posture for five to seven minutes without any effort or pain. "It feels like dropping yourself from a wall into the arms of your mother or father as a small child," says Rita. "You trust that the stronger arms will catch you and not drop you."
Only one thing women have to do themselves: breathe deeply and consciously. And while doing so, mindfully feel in and feel your body, become quiet and listen to your own needs, come to rest and find a new balance. "Health is not static, but a dynamic life force," says Iyengar Yoga experimenter Rita Keller. "If I get sick, I have moved away from myself." In yoga, I rediscover the relationship with myself. " For many, that's strange. The cancer diagnosis abruptly threw them off track, taking away all perspectives from one moment to the next.
But the longer they practice yoga - preferably as fast as possible after surgery twice a week for about an hour - the more they realize that something is changing. "Many women are skeptical at first, they think they're just lying around," says Anke Roth-Langels. "But when they get involved in it, they stay in the exercises for a long time, and gradually they realize that they are allowed to let go and that it is good for them to relax, and then they have tears."
Yoga teacher Anke Roth-Langels knows exactly what is good for every woman: relaxing on blankets and cushions
Yoga not only strengthens the muscles and the nervous system, it also reduces anxiety and depression, the level of the stress hormone cortisol decreases significantly. This has since been proven. "Yoga is a holistic science, the exercises are both external and internal, they have positive effects on the body, senses, organs, nervous system, cells, consciousness, mind and soul," says B.K. Iyengar. Breast cancer patients, as first studies in the US and Canada have shown, can benefit in a special way: Side effects of chemo and hormonal therapy such as nausea, vomiting, joint pain and hot flashes are attenuated by yoga.
The chronic fatigue syndrome, which causes 30 to 40 percent of patients, decreases, and the quality of life improves significantly. "In order to achieve a comparable effect, doctors would have to give three drugs: one that solves fears, one that lightens the mood, and one against the side effects of the therapy," says Professor Gustav Dobos, head of the Department of "Naturopathy and Integrative Medicine" at the clinics Essen-Mitte. In addition, the women themselves can do something for their health.
And, according to Dobos from experience: "Patients who become active themselves feel better." The Essen study should now scientifically review this. And at the same time examine the effect of the special Iyengar exercise program. "It's my dream," says Gustav Dobos, "that any breast cancer patient, such as those receiving chemo, radiotherapy or hormone therapy, starts yoga and then has the physical and mental power to endure the treatment, and sometimes it would you even better in spite of illness than before. "
Good to know
Iyengar yoga for breast cancer patients is offered in small groups with a maximum of eight to ten participants. In the ten-week course, the women are looked after by two teachers. The costs have not been covered by the statutory health insurance. Affected but should ask.
More information and addresses of teachers about Rita Keller, Iyengar Yoga Institute Rhein-Ahr e. V., Kurgartenstr. 1, 53474 Bad Neuenahr, Tel. 026 41/781 16, info@iyengar-yoga.de. Read more: "Yoga for Cancer Patients" by Evelyn Horsch-Ihle, 272 p., 19.95 euros, ViaNova Verlag 2011; "Together against cancer" by Gustav Dobos and Sherko Kümmel, 280 p., 24.95 euros, Zabert Sandmann 2011.
