Kaivalyadhama

Building a Support System: The Importance of Emotional and Social Support During Cancer Treatment

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be an overwhelming experience, affecting individuals not only physically but also emotionally and spiritually. During this challenging time, seeking social support from friends and family is vital, as these connections play a crucial role in coping and facilitating long-term recovery. A strong support network is not just beneficial; it is essential for enhancing the overall well-being of cancer patients. Let’s explore how this invaluable support system can positively impact their journey to healing.

The Role of Emotional Support

If there’s one thing that can help cancer patients find strength, comfort, and courage during these challenging times, then it’s emotional support. Being able to share thoughts and feelings with loved ones can alleviate anxiety and promote a sense of belonging. Not just that, having supportive friends and family can help patients maintain a positive mindset, have open conversations about fears and concerns, and have a better understanding with healthcare providers.

The Power of Social Support

While emotional support is essential for helping cancer patients cope with stress and anxiety, social support plays a crucial role by providing practical help and companionship. Here, friends and family can assist with daily chores, cooking, and other responsibilities so that patients can focus on healing. Additionally, they can also participate in activities like meditation and yoga with friends to improve their mood and create a more relaxed atmosphere.

The Perks of Yoga

Yoga for cancer has also been proven to be an effective complementary treatment for patients. It can enhance both physical and emotional health in several ways. Practicing yoga poses can help maintain strength and flexibility during treatments and reduce stress and anxiety with practices like chakra meditation that can help patients stay present and focused at all times.

Specialised programs on yoga for cancer patients are also created by healthcare providers to create a safe environment for practice. By focussing on gentle movements like relaxing techniques and breathwork, cancer patients can connect with their emotions and bodies.

Conclusion

Despite the significant improvements in mental health and quality of life among cancer survivors, yoga therapies remain under discussed. Now is the time to bring attention to this important subject and encourage others to join the conversation.

Be a part of Kaivalyadhama’s 11th International Conference on Yoga in Cancer Care to explore the healing potential of yoga. From December 4th to 7th at Kaivalyadhama Lonavala, we will bring together multidisciplinary experts, including regulatory bodies, cancer survivors, caregivers, and nutritionists, to address various dimensions of human well-being and highlight the benefits of yoga for disease management, yoga for diabetes, etc.

The 11th International Conference on Yoga in Cancer Care

The 11th International Conference on Yoga in Cancer Care (Scope, Evidence and Evolution) is an event dedicated to exploring the integration of yoga as a complementary approach in cancer care. Bringing together renowned experts, researchers, and practitioners, the focus of this conference is to discuss the latest evidence-based practices, innovative therapies, and the future role of yoga in supporting cancer treatment and recovery. Hosted at Kaivalyadhama, this conference will be focussing on multiple aspects like the transformative power of yoga as a holistic self-care tool, its impact on physical, emotional, and psychological well-being, and its role in improving the quality of life for cancer patients and survivors.

Read more here: https://kdham.com/11th-international-conference-2024/

Take the next step towards better cancer care—join us for an event that blends science, healing, and community. This is your chance to connect with global experts, discover cutting-edge insights, and explore the profound impact yoga can have on cancer treatment and recovery. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, researcher, or simply passionate about holistic well-being, this conference is an opportunity to be part of meaningful change. Register here and contribute to shaping a future where yoga and modern medicine work hand-in-hand to improve lives, from December 4th to 7th at Kaivalyadhama Lonavala.

About Kaivalyadhama

Founded by Swami Kuvalayananda in 1924, Kaivalyadhama is one of the world’s oldest and most renowned yoga institutes. Rooted in the teachings of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga, we are dedicated to preserving and sharing the true essence of traditional yoga and its healing benefits.

Blending ancient wisdom and modern science, Kaivalyadhama has pioneered groundbreaking research that scientifically validates the therapeutic benefits of yoga. Our mission is to spread the profound knowledge of yoga to people across the globe, promote holistic well-being and empower individuals to lead balanced and healthy lives.

Mind Matters

Balancing Your Emotions for Better Wellbeing

In our daily lives, we experience a bagful of emotions. With each passing moment, we have a different view or opinion on looking at things, perceiving the new and old, and at times embracing or else declining the whole scenario. This may have to do with our past experience, but… This also has a lot to do with our own feelings or moods at that moment.

But knowingly or unknowingly, we are also storing a few of these experiences in our physical bodies. And in the long run, unaware of all this on a conscious level, without any known cause or recent activity being the trigger factor, we end up with some signs and symptoms bothering us.

A few Examples of this can Simply be Related, as

  • Diabetes is associated with stress
  • Binge eating, leading to weight gain, is associated with anxiety
  • Knee pain being associated with not surrendering or being full of pride
  • Kidneys associating with fear and danger… and so on

How to Deal With it on an Individual Level

  • Accepting and addressing our emotions, acknowledging them, and trying not to skip or escape from them.
  • Not to let our sense of amusement die.
  • Have a generalised view, a third eye view—be an observer rather than a reactor.
  • Have a curious mind towards the subject; be open to different angles and new perspectives.
  • Understand until we need to hold on to the subject and realise if it is wasting our time and energy and affecting us to what level.
  • Be aware of the expectations you have of yourself and outside factors. Our environment is important, but it is not the only reason or cause for us to blame for our emotional well-being.
  • Being responsible for our thought process, and these should be addressed on a regular basis.
  • Know your strengths and weaknesses; this will help with self-growth and withstand hardship in the long run.

How Yoga can be Used to Help us be Better for Ourselves and Society

  • First and foremost, let’s start with the Yama and Niyamas. They help us shape our conduct on personal and social levels. Being responsible and righteous helps us be sure of ourselves, and we start being content with external factors affecting us.
  • Yoga asanas are a great way of stretching ourselves beyond our own routine. This helps us be flexible and comfortable enough to do that extra 5% and pushes us to go that extra mile (in all different fields).
  • Yoga mudra and bandhas are great ways to stabilise our internal environment.

Different Mudras are used to Initiate and Relax the Prana and Elements of the Body

  • The next most important step to having control over ourselves is pranayama. It is observed that our breath is the key to our thoughts. If we are capable of controlling our breath, eventually we learn to create space and time before reacting and giving an appropriate response.
  • Dharana and Dhyana are maintaining the stable grounds. These mainly make sure that we are regularly practicing it, as man is made perfect only with consistent practice.
  • Samadhi or liberation, can be connected to contentment as we eventually reach a state over and above the external factors affecting us and come back to the optimal or be the best and healthiest version of ourselves! Thus, by overcoming and not giving in to the fluctuations of our monkey mind, we will achieve the physical and mental health we wish for.

Conclusion

That being said, yoga overall simply implies inculcating the small habits that give us sweet fruits. Yoga does not necessarily mean to take a mat and stick to a schedule; it means to flow and be!

Methods

Dr. Nehal Satra

Dr. Nehal Satra

Dr. Nehal Satra, BNYS, a Naturopathy and Yoga Physician, has an aim to create awareness about the importance of healthy living and use of natural healing methods to procure health. She treats with understanding and care using modalities like Acupuncture, Yoga, Naturopathy treatments , Counseling, etc. With an attitude of learning and spreading knowledge with one and all, she is working as a Medical Officer at Kaivalyadhama.

Balancing Your Emotions for Better Wellbeing

In our daily lives, we experience a bagful of emotions. With each passing moment, we have a different view or opinion on looking at things, perceiving the new and old, and at times embracing or else declining the whole scenario. This may have to do with our past experience, but… This also has a lot to do with our own feelings or moods at that moment.

But knowingly or unknowingly, we are also storing a few of these experiences in our physical bodies. And in the long run, unaware of all this on a conscious level, without any known cause or recent activity being the trigger factor, we end up with some signs and symptoms bothering us.

A few Examples of this can Simply be Related, as

  • Diabetes is associated with stress
  • Binge eating, leading to weight gain, is associated with anxiety
  • Knee pain being associated with not surrendering or being full of pride
  • Kidneys associating with fear and danger… and so on

How to Deal With it on an Individual Level

  • Accepting and addressing our emotions, acknowledging them, and trying not to skip or escape from them.
  • Not to let our sense of amusement die.
  • Have a generalised view, a third eye view—be an observer rather than a reactor.
  • Have a curious mind towards the subject; be open to different angles and new perspectives.
  • Understand until we need to hold on to the subject and realise if it is wasting our time and energy and affecting us to what level.
Self-Growth
  • Be aware of the expectations you have of yourself and outside factors. Our environment is important, but it is not the only reason or cause for us to blame for our emotional well-being.
  • Being responsible for our thought process, and these should be addressed on a regular basis.
  • Know your strengths and weaknesses; this will help with self-growth and withstand hardship in the long run.

How Yoga can be Used to Help us be Better for Ourselves and Society

  • First and foremost, let’s start with the Yama and Niyamas. They help us shape our conduct on personal and social levels. Being responsible and righteous helps us be sure of ourselves, and we start being content with external factors affecting us.
  • Yoga asanas are a great way of stretching ourselves beyond our own routine. This helps us be flexible and comfortable enough to do that extra 5% and pushes us to go that extra mile (in all different fields).
  • Yoga mudra and bandhas are great ways to stabilise our internal environment.

Different Mudras are used to Initiate and Relax the Prana and Elements of the Body.

  • The next most important step to having control over ourselves is pranayama. It is observed that our breath is the key to our thoughts. If we are capable of controlling our breath, eventually we learn to create space and time before reacting and giving an appropriate response.
  • Dharana and Dhyana are maintaining the stable grounds. These mainly make sure that we are regularly practicing it, as man is made perfect only with consistent practice.
  • Samadhi or liberation, can be connected to contentment as we eventually reach a state over and above the external factors affecting us and come back to the optimal or be the best and healthiest version of ourselves! Thus, by overcoming and not giving in to the fluctuations of our monkey mind, we will achieve the physical and mental health we wish for.

That being said, yoga overall simply implies inculcating the small habits that give us sweet fruits. Yoga does not necessarily mean to take a mat and stick to a schedule; it means to flow and be!

Dr. Nehal Satra

Dr. Nehal Satra

Dr. Nehal Satra, BNYS, a Naturopathy and Yoga Physician, has an aim to create awareness about the importance of healthy living and use of natural healing methods to procure health. She treats with understanding and care using modalities like Acupuncture, Yoga, Naturopathy treatments , Counseling, etc. With an attitude of learning and spreading knowledge with one and all, she is working as a Medical Officer at Kaivalyadhama.

Mind Matters

Balancing Your Emotions for Better Wellbeing

In our daily lives, we experience a bagful of emotions. With each passing moment, we have a different view or opinion on looking at things, perceiving the new and old, and at times embracing or else declining the whole scenario. This may have to do with our past experience, but… This also has a lot to do with our own feelings or moods at that moment.

But knowingly or unknowingly, we are also storing a few of these experiences in our physical bodies. And in the long run, unaware of all this on a conscious level, without any known cause or recent activity being the trigger factor, we end up with some signs and symptoms bothering us.

A few Examples of this can Simply be Related, as

  • Diabetes is associated with stress
  • Binge eating, leading to weight gain, is associated with anxiety
  • Knee pain being associated with not surrendering or being full of pride
  • Kidneys associating with fear and danger… and so on

How to Deal With it on an Individual Level

  • Accepting and addressing our emotions, acknowledging them, and trying not to skip or escape from them.
  • Not to let our sense of amusement die.
  • Have a generalised view, a third eye view—be an observer rather than a reactor.
  • Have a curious mind towards the subject; be open to different angles and new perspectives.
  • Understand until we need to hold on to the subject and realise if it is wasting our time and energy and affecting us to what level.
  • Be aware of the expectations you have of yourself and outside factors. Our environment is important, but it is not the only reason or cause for us to blame for our emotional well-being.
  • Being responsible for our thought process, and these should be addressed on a regular basis.
  • Know your strengths and weaknesses; this will help with self-growth and withstand hardship in the long run.

How Yoga can be Used to Help us be Better for Ourselves and Society

  • First and foremost, let’s start with the Yama and Niyamas. They help us shape our conduct on personal and social levels. Being responsible and righteous helps us be sure of ourselves, and we start being content with external factors affecting us.
  • Yoga asanas are a great way of stretching ourselves beyond our own routine. This helps us be flexible and comfortable enough to do that extra 5% and pushes us to go that extra mile (in all different fields).
  • Yoga mudra and bandhas are great ways to stabilise our internal environment.

Different Mudras are used to Initiate and Relax the Prana and Elements of the Body

  • The next most important step to having control over ourselves is pranayama. It is observed that our breath is the key to our thoughts. If we are capable of controlling our breath, eventually we learn to create space and time before reacting and giving an appropriate response.
  • Dharana and Dhyana are maintaining the stable grounds. These mainly make sure that we are regularly practicing it, as man is made perfect only with consistent practice.
  • Samadhi or liberation, can be connected to contentment as we eventually reach a state over and above the external factors affecting us and come back to the optimal or be the best and healthiest version of ourselves! Thus, by overcoming and not giving in to the fluctuations of our monkey mind, we will achieve the physical and mental health we wish for.

Conclusion

That being said, yoga overall simply implies inculcating the small habits that give us sweet fruits. Yoga does not necessarily mean to take a mat and stick to a schedule; it means to flow and be!

Dr. Nehal Satra

Dr. Nehal Satra

Dr. Nehal Satra, BNYS, a Naturopathy and Yoga Physician, has an aim to create awareness about the importance of healthy living and use of natural healing methods to procure health. She treats with understanding and care using modalities like Acupuncture, Yoga, Naturopathy treatments , Counseling, etc. With an attitude of learning and spreading knowledge with one and all, she is working as a Medical Officer at Kaivalyadhama.

Ms. Anita Verma

Ms. Anita Verma

Ms. Anita Verma is currently working as Research Assistant and Editor of Yoga Mimamsa Journal. She has completed her Masters in Clinical Research from Cranfield University, UK

Mr. Sanjay Shete

Mr. Sanjay Shete

Mr. Sanjay Shete is currently working as Research Assistant and Associate Editor of Yoga Mimamsa Journal. He has completed his B.Sc. and B.M. Tech from Savitribai Phule Pune University.

Ms. Anita Verma

Ms. Anita Verma

Ms. Anita Verma is currently working as Research Assistant and Editor of Yoga Mimamsa Journal. She has completed her Masters in Clinical Research from Cranfield University, UK. She has done her B.Sc. in Microbiology and PGDPM from Mumbai University. She has conducted research projects on yoga and micronutrient absorption in urban and rural school children. She is highly experienced researcher with over 12 years of experience in the field. She has published several research papers in leading academic journals, making significant contributions to her field of study. She has also undertaken several case studies and published in peer reviewed journals.

Mr. Sanjay Shete

Mr. Sanjay Shete

Mr. Sanjay Shete is currently working as Research Assistant and Associate Editor of Yoga Mimamsa Journal. He has completed his B.Sc. and B.M. Tech from Savitribai Phule Pune University. He has also completed his M.Sc. in Biochemistry from Vinayaka Mission University. He is highly experienced researcher with over 22 years of experience in the field. He has published several research papers in leading academic journals, making significant contributions to his field of study. He is in-charge of pathology lab at SRD and has experience of more than 28 years in pathological laboratory testing.

Ms. Anita Verma

Ms. Anita Verma

Ms. Anita Verma is currently working as Research Assistant and Editor of Yoga Mimamsa Journal. She has completed her Masters in Clinical Research from Cranfield University, UK

Mr. Sanjay Shete

Mr. Sanjay Shete

Mr. Sanjay Shete is currently working as Research Assistant and Associate Editor of Yoga Mimamsa Journal. He has completed his B.Sc. and B.M. Tech from Savitribai Phule Pune University.

Ms. Anita Verma

Ms. Anita Verma

Ms. Anita Verma is currently working as Research Assistant and Editor of Yoga Mimamsa Journal. She has completed her Masters in Clinical Research from Cranfield University, UK. She has done her B.Sc. in Microbiology and PGDPM from Mumbai University.

Mr. Sanjay Shete

Mr. Sanjay Shete

Mr. Sanjay Shete is currently working as Research Assistant and Associate Editor of Yoga Mimamsa Journal. He has completed his B.Sc. and B.M. Tech from Savitribai Phule Pune University.