OUR VISION
Oncology Yoga is prescribed and available for all those touched by cancer.
What do we do
What is Oncology Yoga?
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.
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, fatigue, anxiety and many more.
Oncology yoga is designed to help cancer survivors achieve the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services exercise recommendation of between 150 – 320 minutes of exercise per week to speed recovery or defend against cancer reoccurrence.
yoga4cancer aspires to:
Empower Cancer Patients and Survivors: Provide free tools and resources on Oncology Yoga to enhance physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Educate and Train Professionals: Offer comprehensive training programs, workshops, and events to yoga and healthcare professionals to ensure safe and effective practices.
Ensure Accessibility: Make yoga available and accessible to all individuals touched by cancer.
Build a Supportive Community: Foster a network of support and connection among cancer patients, survivors, and their families.
Advocate for Integration into Cancer Care: Promote the incorporation of yoga into standard cancer treatment protocols through research and advocacy efforts.
What is a yoga4cancer Class?
A yoga4cancer class, private or therapy session is tailored to address the specific needs of cancer patients and survivors in safe and effective intervention. Each session will:
- build strength and flexibility
- strengthen the immune system and the lymphatic function
- reduce cancer related fatigue
- improve sleep and reduce anxiety
- increase bone density
- help manage common side effects like lymphedema, constipation and neuropathy
- and encourage survivors to participate in their wellness plan
Expert Approved
Oncologists recommend yoga.
Yoga seems an obvious path for cancer patients and survivors coping with difficult treatments and their ongoing side effects. In fact, 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 yoga per week to speed recovery or defend against cancer occurrence and reoccurrence. The 2018 guidelines highlighted that an active yoga practice (mentioning Vinyasa) was necessary.
But, not all yoga is the same and for cancer survivors the needs are different.
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- True compassion flows from knowledge and facts.
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- Without specific training, a yoga professional is not equipped to understand the unique physical and emotional needs and challenges of those touched by cancer.
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- Over the past decade, the volume of research to support yoga as a safe and effective way to manage cancer side-effects has grown.
Our evidence informed Oncology Yoga method and training programs provide the education, support and advocacy so that cancer patients and survivors achieve the exercise guidelines in safe and effective ways.
People are Talking About us
Words from our Community
About Our Founder
Tari Prinster
Tari Prinster is a cancer survivor, master yoga teacher, celebrated author and founder of yoga4cancer and the yoga4cancer Foundation (501c3), which bring evidenced informed Oncology Yoga to cancer survivors worldwide.
Tari’s organization has trained over 3,000 professionals worldwide and supports research to assess the contributions of yoga. Yoga4cancer advocates for Oncology Yoga in both private and public sector and organizations.
Tari and her global community have seen the benefits to recovery that Oncology Yoga provides —before, during and after treatment.
Her book, Yoga for Cancer: A Guide to Managing Side Effects, Boosting Immunity, and Improving Recovery for Cancer Survivors, is an illustrated guide for cancer survivors available in English, Spanish and Japanese. It is highly reviewed and sold over 15,000 copies world wide.
Tari also contributed to ‘Yoga Therapy Across the Cancer Care Continuum‘ by Leigh Leibel and Anne Pitman.
Leadership
- Josi Kytle – Co Founder, Executive Director
- Dale O’Reilly – Director
- Teri Richardson Gandy – Board Member, Senior Teacher & Presenter
- Jeannine Bishop – Board Member and Senior Teacher
- Lindsey Pearson – Board Member, Teacher and Meditation Specialist
- Sheilagh Falcigno – Board Member
- Stephanee Howell – Senior Teacher and Hospital Integration Liaison
- Carolyn Kirshner – Senior Teacher & Medical Advisor
- Laura Hernandez – Senior Teacher and Tri Lingual Lead (Spanish, French and English)
- Clare Patterson – Senior Teacher, Therapist in Training and MSK Liason
- Karen Apostolina – Senior Teacher, Yoga Therapist and Hospital Integration Liaison.
- Jana Hicks – Senior Teacher
THE ONCOLOGY YOGA BOOK
Yoga for Cancer – The Book
Tari Prinster, the founder of yoga4cancer, literally wrote the book on Oncology Yoga. As published in 2014, ‘Yoga for Cancer: A Guide to Managing Side Effects, Boosting Immunity, and Improving Recovery for Cancer Survivors’ is the leading book to support cancer patients and survivors to manage their recovery. With all 5-Star reviews, its a perfect complement to any daily practice.
