Yoga Therapy Across the Cancer Care Continuum: A Comprehensive Guide

Yoga therapy plays a pivotal role in providing skilled, equitable, and compassionate support to individuals facing cancer. This book, authored by Leigh Leibel, offers insights into the unique emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual experiences of people at each stage of the cancer care continuum and the responsive support offered by yoga therapy.

Understanding the Cancer Experience

The book delves into the biology of cancer, the challenges associated with type and stage of malignancy, and the adverse side effects of conventional treatment. It also explores comorbid health conditions and their impact on the whole person.

Expert Perspectives

Featuring contributions from 40 oncology yoga therapists with exceptional expertise, this book shares clinical experience and scientific research that highlights relative contraindications and clinical “pearls”.

A Unique Model of Yoga Therapy

Leibel presents a unique model of yoga therapy informed by ancient yoga philosophy and modern biomedical research. This approach is reinforced by skillful and compassionate therapeutic relationship, intelligent yoga practice, and the tender-hearted humanity of co-regulation and resourcing for both patient/client and therapist.

Practical Considerations for Yoga Therapists

The book highlights practical and professional considerations for yoga therapists and yoga teachers working in cancer, including scope of practice, informed consent, safety considerations and contraindications, liability insurance, waivers, clinical notes, co-assessments, and essential referrals to allied health care professionals.

Integrating Yoga Therapy into Healthcare

Yoga Therapy Across the Cancer Care Continuum advocates for the integration of yoga therapy into standard oncology care, discussing barriers, obstacles, and suggestions for the way forward.

Acknowledging Disparity and Inequity

This book acknowledges disparity and inequity in cancer care worldwide and advocates for inclusive, safe, and accessible yoga for all people impacted by cancer.

Essential Reading for Oncology Professionals

Yoga Therapy Across the Cancer Care Continuum is essential reading for all oncology professionals interested in yoga as an evidence-informed therapeutic intervention to improve the lives of people with cancer and for self-care, including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, physical therapists, psychologists, social workers, acupuncturists, yoga therapists and yoga teachers, and all allied health professionals – as well as people with cancer and survivors, their families, and caregivers.

Contributors

This book features contributions from Karen Apostolina, Marsha D. Banks-Harold, Cheryl Fenner Brown, Marianne Woods Cirone, Amelia Coffaro, Nischala Joy Devi, Christa Eppinghaus, Teri Gandy-Richardson, Chandrika Gibson, Sandra Susheela Gilbert, Sadie Grossman, Suveena Guglani, Kate Holcombe, Sharon Holly, Kelsey Kraemer, Tonia Kulp, Johanne Lauktien, Jennie Lee, Annette Loudon, Lee Majewski, Smitha Mallaiah, Sanmay Mukhopadhyay, Bhavani Munamarty, Lrien Neargarder, Charlotte Nuessle, Maryam Ovissi, Miriam Patterson, Tina Paul, Tari Prinster, Lois Ramondetta, Kiran Shenoy, Stella Snyder, Doreen Stein-Seroussi, Michelle Stortz, Jennifer Collins Taylor, Robyn Tiger, Satyam Tripathi, Tina Walter.