Live Chat: Top Oncologists, Cardiologists, and Psychiatrists Reveal Why They Recommend Yoga

Can

yoga do more than improve flexibility? On International Yoga Day, we have leading doctors - oncologists, a cardiologist, and a psychiatrist – who explain why they increasingly recommend yoga as a complementary therapy alongside medical treatment. In this live chat, experts answer common questions about its role in cancer care, heart health, stress management, mental well-being, and overall quality of life.

• Dr. Sneha Kommineni, Consultant - Medical Oncology, Aster RV Hospital, Bangalore
• Dr Aseem Kumar Samar, Director - Medical Oncology, CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur
• Dr. Anil Mishra, Director - Cardiology, CK Birla Hospitals, BM Birla Heart Hospital, Kolkata
• Dr. Shaurya Garg, psychiatrist, AIIMS, New Delhi

As a cancer patient, why should I do yoga as part of my treatment?

“Patients suffering from cancer are frequently advised to take part in Yoga as an effective method of maintaining both their psychological and physiological health before and after undergoing treatment procedures for the disease. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical treatments can be exhausting experiences that often lead to fatigue, pain, anxiety, sleeplessness, and decreased mobility on the part of patients. Yoga can assist in decreasing tension through breathing exercises, pranayama, and meditation, and even lead to improvement in the areas of balance and muscle strength,” said Dr. Kommineni. Dr. Samar added, "Yoga is recommended as a complementary therapy because it helps address many of the physical and emotional challenges faced by cancer patients. Cancer treatment can lead to fatigue, anxiety, stress, reduced mobility, and a decline in overall quality of life. Yoga combines gentle physical activity, breathing exercises, and mindfulness techniques that can help improve flexibility, strength, emotional well-being, and stress management. While yoga is not a treatment for cancer itself, it can support patients in coping better with the disease and its treatment-related side effects.”

I have stage 2 blood cancer undergoing chemotherapy. How can yoga help me overcome the after-effects?

“Yoga is useful for improving the awareness of one’s own body and adopting healthier behavior patterns. Yoga improves the blood flow, decreases stiffness, and assists with recovery from treatments through proper exercise. At the same time, all yoga classes for cancer patients must be customized to the needs of individuals depending on their condition,” said Dr. Kommineni.

Are there any psychological advantages I would have with yoga as a 34-year-old breast cancer patient?

“Yes, receiving a diagnosis of cancer may result in emotional problems, depression, and fear. Yoga helps patients relax mentally by practicing mindfulness and deep breathing techniques, which will help patients deal with their emotions and remain positive. A lot of research has also proven that yoga improves the quality of sleep, as well as reduces stress and anxiety levels of cancer patients,” said Dr. Kommineni.

I am a 55-year-old heart patient, but I'm not sure if I should do yoga. What do you advise?

“Yoga works on the heart from a few different angles at once. reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and enhancing circulation. There's physical movement itself, the breathing, and the stress relief, and all three matter for cardiovascular health. With regular practice, the nervous system tends to shift toward a calmer state, leaning more on the parasympathetic side and less on the fight-or-flight response that puts extra strain on the heart over time,” said Dr. Mishra.

Will yoga bring down my blood pressure naturally?

“It can, yes, particularly when it's part of a bigger picture that includes eating well, staying on top of medication, and getting regular exercise. The slower movements and stretching in yoga, paired with breathwork, seem to ease vascular resistance and bring on a kind of relaxation response that's good for blood pressure. Bhramari (Humming Bee Breath) is deeply calming, reduces anxiety, and helps lower blood pressure. Things like diaphragmatic breathing and meditation play into this too, since they cut down on the stress hormones that often drive hypertension in the first place,” said Dr. Mishra.

How do breathing exercises help my heart?

“Breathing exercises and meditation matter more for heart health than people often expect, mostly because of how they affect the nervous system. Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing) stabilizes heart rate and balances the mind. Slow, deep breathing strengthens vagal tone and improves heart rate variability, both signs that the body is regulating well and that the heart is more resilient under stress,” said Dr. Mishra.

Can I practice yoga from online sources and do asanas that I like?

Dr. Kommineni opines, “It is important for people undergoing cancer treatment to engage in yoga exercises under the supervision of experienced yoga practitioners. Yoga exercises would have to be adjusted according to their type of cancer, the stage of their treatment, surgery, or other illnesses.”

How can yoga help me while my evidence-based mental health treatment is going on?

“Yoga becomes a bridge to connect patients with doctors. Yoga feels natural and is from India, so patients find it easier to follow. Like if I just tell them to do JPMR- an international breathing technique, it becomes difficult for them to understand. So, yoga helps us bridge physical activity and meditation, for such patients,” said Dr. Garg.

Are there certain yoga poses or practices that, as a cancer patient, I should avoid?

“Certain asanas should be avoided based on various factors, including the type of cancer, its stage, and the general condition of the patient. Certain strenuous asanas may be dangerous since they strain the body too much and cause problems such as fatigue, injury, and discomfort, particularly while undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Deep backbends, like urdhva dhanurasana, headstands (sirsasana), shoulder stands (sarvangasana), and difficult balancing postures need to be avoided unless the doctor or a qualified yoga teacher gives his/her permission. High-impact activities, including those postures that increase the risks of bone breakage, are not recommended for cancer patients who have osteoporosis or bone metastasis,” said Dr. Samar.

Can yoga help me sleep uninterrupted as a cancer patient, as I have had insomnia as a side effect of treatment?

"Yes, yoga can be beneficial for sleep disturbances, which are very common among cancer patients. Pain, treatment side effects, stress, and anxiety often interfere with restful sleep. Yoga practices that focus on deep breathing, relaxation, meditation, and gentle stretching help calm the nervous system and reduce stress levels. Studies have shown that regular yoga practice can improve both sleep quality and sleep duration in cancer patients. Better sleep, in turn, supports recovery, mood, energy levels, and overall well-being during treatment,” said Dr. Samar.

Which aspects of yoga have the strongest scientific backing when it comes to mental health?

“We cannot technically prescribe yoga since there is not a lot of evidence (in psychiatry), but we have a lot of evidence for relaxation and breathing exercises, which are in a way part of yoga,” said Dr. Garg.

I have been diagnosed with anxiety. What are the yoga asanas that you suggest I should do that you advice?

“I tell my patients to do anulom vilom, surya namaskar, sit in one place and do breathing exercises,” said Dr. Garg.