Breast Cancer Recovery

The benefits of yoga, or Pilates for that matter, are multiple:

Exercises of this sort--and I class both of these as primarily meditative in nature--has a documented ability to lower anxiety in people.

Exercise also lowers body weight, enhances self-esteem and increases a general sense of well being.

Additionally, a variety of research has proven that anxiety delays physical recovery after surgery or traumatic illness. Why? People who are less anxious sleep better, eat better and are less likely to self-medicate than their peers with higher stress levels.

So it follows that exercise, especially exercise that is more meditative and less aggressive, helps exacerbate recovery.

But beyond that--if that weren't enough--this sort of exercise almost always takes place in groups. And the benefit of getting out and going to a gym, group exercise meeting, medical center, school or church to workout with others is very beneficial in its own rite. Less TV time and more face to face interaction with others makes people less isolated, depressed and yes, anxious.

Please remember--all these benefits aside, a patient should get clearance from their physician before entering into any sort of exercise program. Additionally, the patient should make sure the instructor they are working with is qualified and aware of any physiological restrictions the patient may have.