Yoga for Leukemia

CPF-September Focus

Type of Cancer: Uterine, Leukemia, Ovarian, Prostate, and Thyroid Cancer

Theme: Grounding & Gratitude

Focus: Stability, Calm, and Reflection

The Mayo Clinic says that Leukemia usually involves the white blood cells with the bone marrow producing an excessive amount of abnormal white blood cells which don’t function properly. Over time, these abnormal cells can crowd out healthy blood cells in the bone marrow, leading to fever healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, causing symptoms. Treatment varies depending on the type of Leukemia but can include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplants, and immunotherapy.

To support survivors and their care givers focus on asanas that build stability and use language that promotes calmness and reflection. Try Warrior 2 out, it builds stability and when held for a few breaths can provide space for calm and reflection.

Warrior Two Modified- Seated in a Chair as demonstrated by Cyndi Ellsom

Warrior 2 Standing

Face the long edge of the mat with hips and shoulders squared to the long edge. Widen feet as far as is comfortable. Pick up right toes and turn the foot 90 degrees away from the midline of the body. Let the foot come back to the earth and bend the knee. Extend arms reaching past the feet, keeping arms fully engaged.

Warrior 2 Standing, using a Chair for Balance

Begin with a chair in front of the tips, back of the chair toward you. Rest fingers on the back of the chair. With the toes pointed toward the chair widening the feet as far as is comfortable, keeping the fingers on the back of the chair. Pick the right toes up and turn then 90 degrees away from the center line of the body. Let the toes come back to the ground and deeply bend that knee. W2 arms can be added if the student is comfortable with their balance.

Warrior 2

Seated in a Chair

Sit sideways in the chair with both feet on the ground in front of you, adjusting yourself so that the hip/buttock towards the front of the chair is not resting on the seat of the chair. Step the front leg out to the side, so that the front toes and knees face the front of the room. Raise your arms to shoulder height, lengthening the right arm reaching it forward and the left arm straight back. Option to step the front leg back further, lengthening until the knee is as straight as is comfortable and the foot can rest on the floor.