This gentle 15-minute yoga sequence is designed to ease constipation — a common but rarely discussed side effect of cancer treatment. It’s taught by Tari Prinster, founder of yoga4cancer, as part of the free Oncology Yoga Beginner’s Series.”
Many people are not aware that cancer treatments can cause constipation. This side effect is very common, uncomfortable and can impact treatments schedules if the constipation becomes severe.
Gentle movement, including yoga, is commonly recommended to support digestion and regular elimination — especially important for cancer patients, since inactivity, pain medication, and treatment side effects are common causes of constipation.”
Healthcare leaders like the American Cancer Society recommend that all cancer patients and survivors get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise – like active yoga practice – each and every week.
Poses included in the Practice:
- Seated Spinal Warm-Up — arm raises matched to breath, to mobilize the spine
- Seated Side Bend — opens the ribs on each side
- Seated Twist — the class’s central move for constipation; twisting from the abdomen, not the shoulders, to massage the digestive organs
- Seated Abdominal Self-Massage — gentle clockwise circles over the belly, following the natural direction of digestion
- Cat-Cow (hands and knees) — rhythmic spinal movement that compresses and releases the abdomen
- Thread the Needle Twist (hands and knees) — a deeper twist for the same abdominal-massage effect
- Table Seesaw, leg extension (hands and knees) — adds gentle abdominal and leg engagement
- Supine Knee-to-Chest with Alternating Leg Extension — a wind-relieving variation, lying on the back
- Supine Abdominal Self-Massage — repeats the belly massage lying down to close the practice
This class and the others provided in the Oncology Yoga Beginners Series are taught by certified yoga4cancer professionals. Our goal with Yoga Alliance is to provide the motivation and means to achieve the movement recommendations for cancer recovery and survivorship and to manage the many side effects that cancer survivors might face.
FAQs
Does yoga help with constipation?
Gentle movement — including twists, forward folds, and abdominal-engaging poses — is commonly used to support digestion and regular elimination. For cancer patients, constipation is often caused by pain medication, chemotherapy, or reduced activity. If constipation is severe or persistent, talk to your care team; yoga is a supportive practice, not a substitute for medical treatment.
How long is this practice? About 15 minutes, seated or lying down — no mat or equipment required.
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