Muriel had finished her cancer treatment, and her oncologist ordered a CT scan for her six-month check-up. Afterward, she wrote to Tari:
“I was so nervous when I got onto the scanner that I stopped breathing before they told me to. My heart was pounding, I felt claustrophobic, and I was extremely uncomfortable. Then I remembered your words: ‘Count your breath slowly and the mind will follow.’ I did. I became calm, my muscles relaxed, and I finished the scan feeling optimistic and empowered. Was I doing yoga in a CT scanner?”
Tari’s Answer
Yes, Muriel. You were doing yoga.
You don’t need a class, a mat, or a teacher to practice. That’s what makes yoga such a useful tool during and after cancer treatment. You can take it anywhere, including the places that make all of us nervous.
Scans are one of those places. So many people with cancer feel anxious before and during a scan, and while waiting for results, that it has its own name: “scanxiety.” You may be asked to lie still in a narrow space, in an unfamiliar position, for longer than feels comfortable. Your body reacts before your mind can catch up.
Your breath is the one thing you can always bring with you. When you slow it down, and especially when you let the exhale get a little longer than the inhale, you give your body a signal that it’s OK to settle. The mind follows.
Inside the Scanner: Breath Only
During a CT, MRI, or PET scan, stay still and follow the technologist’s breathing instructions. They may ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds so the images are clear. Between those instructions, try this:
- Ride the waves. Picture each inhale as a wave rising, and each exhale as the wave washing gently up the beach.
- Keep your eyes softly open if you can, resting them on one spot. For many people, this feels steadier than closing them.
- Count your breath. Breathe in through your nose for a slow count of four. Breathe out for a count of five or six.
If claustrophobia or anxiety about scans is hard for you, tell your care team before your appointment. They may have options that help.
Before and After: Three Practices for the Waiting Room
These come from Pocket Yoga, a set of ten small practices Tari created for the places that weren’t designed for yoga.
Smiling Buddha Eyes. Relax your face and rest your eyes on one spot. Breathe in as your gaze widens to take in the edges of the room. Breathe out as you gently focus back on your spot.
Gather and Hold. Rest your hands palms up. Breathe in and open your fingers wide, as if receiving a gift. Pause for a count of three. Breathe out as your fingers curl back in. If pausing your breath feels uncomfortable, skip the pause.
Breath Surfing. Each inhale is a wave rising toward its crest. Each exhale spills softly onto the sand. Let the exhale be a little longer than the inhale.
See all 10 Pocket Yoga practices, with options for ports, lymphedema, neuropathy, and recent surgery.
Yoga Is Portable
Muriel, I hope your scans came back clear and that you kept breathing calmly all the way home.
I love hearing how yoga shows up for people in these small, everyday moments. You don’t need an hour or a studio. Sometimes one slow breath is the practice.
This post is for general education and doesn’t replace guidance from your medical team.
Survivors and caregivers: Want to build on these practices? Start with our free course, Introduction to Oncology Yoga: For Every Stage of Treatment and Recovery, or find a y4c-certified teacher near you in our Teacher Directory.
Yoga teachers: Breathing practices like these give students something they can use in the scanner, the infusion chair, or the waiting room. Learn how to teach oncology yoga safely and effectively with professional programs and courses.
FAQ
What is scanxiety? Scanxiety is the anxiety many people with cancer feel before, during, and after medical scans, and while waiting for results. It’s very common, especially during follow-up care.
Can I do yoga during a CT or MRI scan? Yes, using your breath. Stay still and follow the technologist’s instructions, including any breath holds. In between, slow breathing with a longer exhale can help you stay calm.
What breathing exercise helps with scan anxiety? Try breathing in for a slow count of four and out for a count of five or six. A longer exhale is a simple way to help your body settle.
What can I do in the waiting room before a scan? Try a few minutes of slow breathing, or simple practices like Smiling Buddha Eyes and Gather and Hold from Pocket Yoga. They can be done seated, without anyone noticing.