Evidence Informed Yoga for Cancer Survivors

Serving +100,000 cancer survivors in communities worldwide.

Our VISION

yoga4cancer is prescribed and available for all those touched by cancer.

What do we do

Why is yoga4cancer Different?

yoga4cancer (or y4c) is an evidence-informed oncology yoga method tailored to address the specific physical and emotional needs left by the cancer and cancer treatments. The approach matches breath and movement to stimulate the immune system, improve flexibility & strength, reduce anxiety and boost overall well-being. The approach goes beyond the gentle and restorative yoga that are commonly offered in wellness cancer centers as the only yoga illness interventions. Based on the latest research and recommendations, we mitigate the short and long term side effects that cancer patients and survivors face like bone loss, lymphedema, scar tissue, constipation, neuropathy and many more. Our goal is to support cancer survivors in achieve the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services exercise recommendation of achieving between 150 – 320 minutes of exercise per week to speed recovery or defend against cancer occurrence and reoccurrence.

What a yoga4cancer Class?

Our yoga4cancer classes and private sessions are tailored to address the specific needs of cancer patients and survivors. Each session looks to:

  • build strength and flexibility in safe ways
  • stimulate your immune system and build bone density
  • detox the body and cultivate a sense of well-being
  • create hope and community
  • empower cancer patients and survivors to feel in control of their lives
  • and encourage survivors to embrace yoga as a personal tool that will enhance their future wellbeing.
Take a Class Today.

What do we do

Classes, resources, trainings, research and advocacy.

yoga4cancer (or y4c) is an evidence-informed oncology yoga method tailored to address the specific physical and emotional needs left by the cancer and cancer treatments. The approach matches breath and movement to stimulate the immune system, improve flexibility & strength, reduce anxiety and boost overall well-being. The approach goes beyond the gentle and restorative yoga that are commonly offered in wellness cancer centers as the only yoga illness interventions. Based on the latest research and recommendations, we mitigate the short and long term side effects that cancer patients and survivors face like bone loss, lymphedema, scar tissue, constipation, neuropathy and many more. Our goal is to support cancer survivors in achieve the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services exercise recommendation of achieving between 150 – 320 minutes of exercise per week to speed recovery or defend against cancer occurrence and reoccurrence.

Our yoga4cancer classes and private sessions are tailored to address the specific needs of cancer patients and survivors. Each session looks to:

  • build strength and flexibility in safe ways
  • stimulate your immune system and build bone density
  • detox the body and cultivate a sense of well-being
  • create hope and community
  • empower cancer patients and survivors to feel in control of their lives
  • and encourage survivors to embrace yoga as a personal tool that will enhance their future wellbeing.

EXPERTS APPROVED

Oncologists recommend yoga.

Oncologist and cancer organizations are recommending yoga and exercise as part of a cancer survivors recovery and management plan. Both the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends between to 150 – 320 minutes of exercise per week to speed recovery or defend against cancer occurrence and reoccurrence. The 2018 guidelines highlighted that an active yoga practice (like Vinyasa) was necessary.  Therefore, more and more cancer survivors are seeking yoga classes to gain these benefits. But, not all yoga is the same and for cancer survivors the needs are different. Oncology based programs are required to provide safe and effective support.

I use the expression, "life-changing" very sparingly, but yoga4cancer was just that. Every bit of what I learned was critical information to teach yoga to students with cancer. This training provided me with practical and important tools and knowledge to teach safe and effective classes.

Tomoko y4c Trained Teacher

I loved my experience with yoga4cancer. I thought I was going for the asana and returned home with a deeper knowledge and a better understanding to cancer treatments, and how the human body responds to yoga. What a great experience with Y4C, such an eye opener. I will now teach yoga with a greater awareness.

Kathleen y4c Trained Teacher

The survivor yoga class has been an emotional and physical bridge to my recovery. I started my yoga with the group before my chemo.  This kind of support cannot be found in a ” regular” yoga class.


Andrea Cancer survivor

About yoga4cancer Founder

Tari Prinster

Tari Prinster is a cancer survivor, master yoga teacher, celebrated author and founder of yoga4cancer (y4c) and the Retreat Project (501c3), which bring evidenced informed yoga to cancer survivors worldwide.

When Tari was fifty, she started a yoga practice to ease symptoms of menopause. After a diagnosis of breast cancer, yoga became a powerful tool for her to manage the daily challenges of treatment side effects. More than a way to stay healthy, yoga gave her a community and the emotional support and spiritual comfort so necessary for recovery and beyond.

The challenge of cancer led to life change. Research about cancer and yoga was in its infancy in 2000. Tari got curious why yoga was so healing for her, but not recommended by her doctors. Cancer patients were told to “go home and rest.” She read widely, including both classic Eastern texts and Western science about anatomy and movement.

Learn More.

Articles

What Yoga Teachers Need to Know About Teaching Cancer Survivors

by Tari Prinster. Published in Kripalu.  Yoga for cancer patients—what better way to manage anxiety, gain strength, increase flexibility, and create feelings of well-being! A growing body of research points to this path, both during and after treatment. But it’s important for teachers to realize that teaching yoga to cancer patients and survivors is different than teaching yoga in a typical class. Here’s why.

Specialized Training Is Required

B. K. S. Iyengar said it best: “Do not imagine that you already understand and impose your imperfect understanding on those who come to you for help.” Most yoga teachers, whatever their style or practice, are trained to teach a general population. While 200-hour trainings typically include anatomy modules, there’s not enough time to cover specific physiological topics, such as cell development, or psychological challenges, like the acute anxiety induced by a diagnosis of a life-threatening disease. It’s not possible to cover the specific needs or risks of the survivor in a standard yoga training.

Learn More.

Start your experience today!

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Yoga for Cancer by Tari Prinster

Tari Prinster

"Hope is not a plan. Yoga can be."

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