This study examined the effects of yoga on quality of life (QOL) and psychosocial outcomes in women with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy. Sixty-one women were randomly assigned to either a yoga or a wait-list group. Yoga classes were taught biweekly during the 6 weeks of radiotherapy. Participants completed measures of QOL, fatigue, benefit finding (finding meaning in the cancer experience), intrusive thoughts, sleep disturbances, depressive symptoms, and anxiety before radiotherapy and then again 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the end of radiotherapy. General linear model analyses revealed that compared to the control group, the yoga group reported significantly better general health perception (p = .005) and physical functioning scores (p = .04) 1 week postradiotherapy; higher levels of intrusive thoughts 1 month postradiotherapy (p = .01); and greater benefit finding 3 months postradiotherapy (p = .01). There were no other group differences in other QOL subscales for fatigue, depression, or sleep scores. Exploratory analyses indicated that intrusive thoughts 1 month after radiotherapy were significantly positively correlated with benefit finding 3 months after radiotherapy (r = .36, p = .011). Our results indicated that the yoga program was associated with statistically and clinically significant improvements in aspects of QOL.
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Discover the powerful spiritual and physical roots of Yoga with Georg Feuerstein - the foremost Western authority on the Yoga tradition.What has become the most popular form of exercise in the West is an ancient and rich tradition, the understanding of which can transform one's Yoga practice from mere exercise to a holistic spiritual, emotional and physical practice.
With a comprehensive presentation covering the history as well as psychology of Yoga practice and literature, Feuerstein's authoritative book delves into lesser known forms of Yoga such as Raja Yoga, Bhakta Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Tantra Yoga and Jnana Yoga.
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