The Oncology Yoga Certification Program (75 Hours) is an advanced professional training. It is designed to build upon an individual’s existing yoga teacher education and real-world teaching experience—not replace it.
This distinction matters deeply, especially when working with people affected by cancer.
Oncology Yoga is not simply yoga offered with good intentions. It is a high-responsibility, high-impact specialization that requires a strong foundation in teaching skills, anatomy, safety, and confidence leading groups before adding the complexity of cancer care.
Safety First: Ahimsa as a Professional Responsibility
In yoga philosophy, ahimsa—non-harm—is foundational. In Oncology Yoga, ahimsa moves beyond philosophy and into clinical-level responsibility.
People living with or beyond cancer may be navigating:
• Surgical changes
• Active or long-term treatment side effects
• Bone density loss or metastatic disease
• Lymphedema
• Neuropathy, fatigue, pain, and fear
• Trauma related to diagnosis and treatment
Working with this population requires far more than compassion alone. Compassion must be paired with skill, discernment, and experience.
That is why participation in the yoga4cancer 75-Hour Certification requires completion of a standard 200-hour yoga teacher training (or equivalent foundational training).
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Core Skills Developed in a 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training
A comprehensive 200-hour training provides essential competencies that are required when working with any special or high-risk population—including cancer patients and survivors.
These commonly include:
- Foundational Anatomy & Physiology
• Basic musculoskeletal anatomy
• Joint function and range of motion
• Understanding contraindications and common injuries
• Awareness of how movement affects different body systems
This foundation is critical before layering in cancer-specific risks such as bone fragility, surgical alterations, or treatment-related limitations.
- Safe Asana Instruction & Cueing
• Clear verbal cueing
• Teaching alignment and functional movement
• Observing bodies and responding in real time
• Knowing how and when not to offer physical assists
Oncology Yoga requires exceptional observational skills, which must already be well developed.
- Class Structure & Sequencing
• Designing cohesive, purposeful classes
• Managing pacing, transitions, and energy
• Adapting sequences for different levels and abilities
Cancer-informed sequencing builds on these skills—it does not replace them.
- Breath Awareness & Regulation
• Teaching basic pranayama safely
• Understanding breath mechanics
• Recognizing when breath practices are contraindicated
This becomes especially important when working with individuals affected by anxiety, shortness of breath, or treatment-related respiratory changes.
- Teaching Presence & Classroom Management
• Holding space for groups
• Communicating calmly and clearly
• Managing unexpected situations
• Responding to student questions with confidence
Confidence leading classes is essential before introducing high-stakes modifications.
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Why Teaching Experience Matters Before Oncology Yoga Training
Beyond formal education, real teaching experience is equally important.
Before modifying yoga for cancer patients, teachers should already feel comfortable:
• Leading groups with confidence
• Adjusting poses on the fly
• Responding to diverse needs without panic
• Maintaining authority while staying compassionate
Cancer communities are often described as “high risk, high reward.” The impact of skillful teaching can be profound—but mistakes can also have serious consequences.
Experience builds discernment. Discernment builds safety.
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What the yoga4cancer Oncology Yoga Certification Adds
The yoga4cancer Oncology Yoga Certification is where foundational yoga education meets evidence-informed cancer care.
This training does not teach how to teach yoga—it teaches how to adapt yoga safely and effectively for people affected by cancer.
Key areas include:
• Cancer biology and treatment basics
• Common and long-term side effects of cancer and treatment
• Risk assessment and contraindications
• Oncology-specific movement adaptations
• Lymphedema risk reduction
• Bone health and fracture prevention
• Trauma-informed and psychologically safe teaching
• Language, communication, and ethics in cancer care
• Program design for clinical and community settings
Participants learn not only what to modify—but why, when, and when not to.
You can view the full curriculum here:
👉 75-Hour Oncology Yoga Certification Curriculum
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Compassion Is Essential—but Not Sufficient
Most people are drawn to Oncology Yoga because they care deeply. That care is vital. But compassion alone does not make someone qualified to work with a medically complex population.
True compassion includes:
• Knowing your scope of practice
• Respecting the limits of your training
• Committing to continued education
• Prioritizing safety over ego or urgency
The yoga4cancer 75-Hour Certification exists to support teachers who are ready to take that responsibility seriously—and to honor the trust placed in them by cancer patients and survivors.
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A Thoughtful Path Forward
If you are early in your teaching journey, we encourage you to:
• Complete a strong 200-hour training
• Build experience leading diverse classes
• Develop confidence in your voice, presence, and decision-making
• Take foundational Oncology Yoga courses such as the ‘Exploring Teaching Oncology Yoga’ and the ‘5 Hour Short Course’. Explore programs here.
When that foundation is in place, the Oncology Yoga Certification becomes not just accessible—but deeply transformative.
This work matters. And doing it well matters even more.