What Is Oncology Yoga?
Oncology Yoga is an evidence-informed yoga methodology designed specifically for people affected by cancer. It modifies traditional yoga practices—movement, breathing, mindfulness, and rest—to address cancer-related side effects and to support physical, emotional, and physiological recovery.
The method aligns with the growing body of scientific literature in Exercise Oncology, which supports tailored physical activity as a core component of cancer treatment and survivorship care.
📘 Citation:
Schmitz KH, Campbell AM, Stuiver MM, et al. Exercise is medicine in oncology: Engaging clinicians to help patients move through cancer. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2019;69(6):468–484. doi:10.3322/caac.21579
Origins and Development
The formalization of Oncology Yoga began in the early 2000s, following increased recognition that conventional yoga practices were often inaccessible—or even unsafe—for those undergoing or recovering from cancer treatments.
Tari Prinster and the yoga4cancer Method
A leading figure in the development of Oncology Yoga is Tari Prinster, a breast cancer survivor, yoga teacher, and author of Yoga for Cancer: A Guide to Managing Side Effects, Boosting Immunity, and Improving Recovery for Cancer Survivors (2014).
After her own diagnosis in 2000, Prinster began adapting yoga to meet the specific challenges faced during and after cancer treatment—developing a method based on functional movement, lymphatic health, breathwork, and trauma-informed principles. Since then, the yoga4cancer method has trained over 3,000 professionals and been implemented in hospitals, cancer centers, and community programs globally.
📘 Citation:
Prinster, T. (2014). Yoga for Cancer: A Guide to Managing Side Effects, Boosting Immunity, and Improving Recovery for Cancer Survivors. Healing Arts Press.
The Science Behind Oncology Yoga
Extensive research over the past two decades has confirmed the physical and psychological benefits of yoga for people with cancer, including improvements in:
- Fatigue
- Anxiety and depression
- Sleep quality
- Physical functioning
- Immune response
- Quality of life
📘 Citations:
Cramer H, Lauche R, Langhorst J, Dobos G. Yoga for cancer patients and survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Cancer. 2017;17:271. doi:10.1186/s12885-017-3200-2
Buffart LM, van Uffelen JGZ, Riphagen, et al. Physical and psychosocial benefits of yoga in cancer patients and survivors, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Cancer. 2012;12:559. doi:10.1186/1471-2407-12-559
Clinical Guidelines and Endorsements
In 2018, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), in collaboration with over 15 major health organizations, released updated guidelines stating that exercise is safe and beneficial for most individuals with cancer and should be integrated into standard care.
These guidelines support yoga as one of the recommended forms of exercise, especially for managing side effects like fatigue, mood disturbance, and reduced quality of life.
📘 Citation:
Campbell KL, Winters-Stone KM, Wiskemann J, et al. Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors: Consensus Statement from International Multidisciplinary Roundtable. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2019;51(11):2375–2390. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000002116
Integration into Healthcare
As research has grown and survivorship rates have increased, Oncology Yoga has been increasingly integrated into hospital-based wellness programs, nonprofit support networks, and community settings. Many cancer centers now include yoga as part of their complementary or integrative oncology offerings.
📘 Citation:
National Cancer Institute. Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version.
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp
Conclusion
Oncology Yoga has evolved from a grassroots adaptation of yoga for cancer survivors into a respected, research-informed, and increasingly essential component of integrative oncology care. With professional training, compassionate application, and scientific validation, it serves as a powerful tool to support healing, empowerment, and quality of life for millions of people affected by cancer.