Practising Bikram Yoga Whilst Undergoing Chemotherapy

Hi Mairi

It is difficult to really give a blanket opinion about any chemotherapy. Given that chemotherapy simply means therapy with chemicals, it means the regimen for any person on such therapy would be likely different from anyone else’s therapy.

Hodgkins is a systemic problem and chemo and irradiation is targeted at lymph nodes. So the problem could be that during treatment patients may actually be counselled against exercises like yoga because of the problems of lymph drainage.

You have yet to know whether the person who had chemo was being treated for a isolated problem or a systemic disease. There are a lot of questions unanswered so please ask more questions and do more research. And of course, your friend needs to be satisfied with the answers and make up her mind.

I have had students who would enjoy their practice and then have to go home and lie down with elevated limbs for 2 hours.

It is great to find references to exercise helping with fatigue for patients undergoing chemotherapy and it would make sense that one would feel better. Of course listening to the messages the body is giving is paramount.

I did a little research and found people who had Non-Hodgkins and Hodgkins Lymphoma. I did find a teacher in Brighton England called Emma who has recovered from Hodgkins (that should be enough to Google her). I would suggest getting in touch with her directly (call her) and ask her whether she did hot yoga during her chemotherapy or as part of her recovery after chemo was finished. At least you’ll be sure to be comparing apples with apples.

Rosemarie’s advice about nutrition is spot on. Go and look at oxygen therapy (hydrogen peroxide) make sure she’s taking good sea salt and hydrating well. It makes sense to me that exercise forms a strong part of your friend’s recovery. I guess what you’re asking is the schedule of when to start. The frequency will probably be up to her but I would suggest testing with 3 for the first week and work her way up, particularly if she’s been off line for a while. She’ll very soon work out what works for her. It can be a disheartening and discouraging to overdo something especially when sick and knock yourself out first go.

And yes, I too look forward to reading more responses and hearing of your friend’s progress. Please keep us posted.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Mairi

I am sure there are thousands who could help with juicing advice. We juice everyday here at our house. Although it takes longer than those you-beaut-lightning-fast juicers that you find at department stores, the one thing that I would recommend is looking at the slow ones that are called masticating juicers. There are 1 and 2 gear varieties. The 1 gear ones are less expensive. You may have heard of Champion or Samson juicers.

I have never used a 2 gear one and can’t give you an appraisal. But the theory behind all slower juicers is that the enzymes in the vegetable and fruit stays active for longer. The faster ones heat the juice through friction and so the juice is less nutritious to start off with, and then it lasts less long.

Of course, if you use organic produce that will be better.

And I have heard (and I as a result I do this) that you should only put in as much apple or pear per person as one would eat in a regular meal. So rather than a big apple juice made of 6 apples or whatever, have an apple juice mixed with vegetables.

That’s enough from me for now. What you juice is up to you. Experiment. I really look forward to my juices every day! You can also juice and add to smoothies for a more filling meal/drink.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂