Yoga and Breast Cancer: A Journey to Health and Healing

by Ingrid Kollak Phd, RN, Isabell Utz-Billing MD

Overview

Yoga and Breast Cancer is a practical how to guide to using yoga to manage stress, relieve pain, and gain the strength necesary to make it through this illness. It follows the authors' own research in the subject that has shown a proven correlation between yoga practice and better health and outcomes after a breast cancer diagnosis. More than simply an exercise guide, the book is a deeply soothing form of moving meditation and physical activity that is a safe way to rebuild strength, stamina, and flexibility both during and following cancer treatments.

It is intended to support women during the critical phases of their disease as well as during times of secondary prevention and rehabilitation. It shows how yoga ameliorates difficulties after breast cancer therapy, improves a womans awareness of her body, thoughts and feelings, and guides towards leading a healthier life."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781932603910
Publisher:	Springer Publishing Company
Publication date:	09/29/2010
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	10.24(w) x 11.32(h) x 0.53(d)

About the Author

Ingrid Kollak, RN, PhD, is a licensed yoga teacher accredited by the German and European professioanl boards of yoga teachers and has taught yoga in settings as varied as tranquil Indian retreats and international conferences. She has been a professor at Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences (ASH) in Berlin since 1995.

Isabell Utz-Billing, MD, Isabell Utz-Billing is a medical doctor in the department of gynecology and obstetrics of the German Red Cross Hospital Westend in Berlin.

Table of Contents

"Foreword
Introduction
I: Yoga for Women with Breast Cancer
1. How Yoga Works
2. A Short History of Yoga
3. Self-help and Yoga
4. Rehabilitative and Supportive Yoga
5. On Your Way with Yoga
6. Exercises for Everyday Life
7. Yoga Exercises with Continuous Effects
8. Beyond Exercising
II: About the Disease
9. Types of Breast Cancer and Their Origins
10. State-of-the-art Methods of Surgery
11. Therapies, Effects, Side Effects, and Helpful Means
12. Body Image and Intimacy
III:Further Reading
Web Links
Literature
Glossary
Index"

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This is a valuable resource for patients who are looking for help in gaining strength physically and mentally."-Doodys Reviews

"Nurse and author Kollak (Yoga for Nurses) and physician Utz-Billing have studied yoga practice specifically with breast cancer patients and consider yoga a significant addition to a recovery protocol. They outline the dynamics of yoga and how the poses-asanas-can be customized for every woman, no matter her physical limitations or length of time postsurgery. The photos clearly illustrate the postures; "Quick Look" boxes summarize the moves for each chapter. For all patient health collections."-Library Journal

" a good practice text and a worthy adjunct for Yoga teachers to accompany their class instruction for students in active breast cancer treatment."-Yoga Therapy Today

"Like a barely perceptibly rising inclined plane, the book very gently lifts the breast cancer and post-breast cancer patient toward a realistic sense of well-being and inevitable joy with the improved health that accompanies it... [the] elegant pictures, simple contraindications, and thoughtful directions bear witness to the unassuming confidence and serenity with which the book was written, and that may be quite contagious."- Loren M. Fishman, MD, author of Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis: A Journey to Health and Healing

"Yoga and Breast Cancer is a wonderful healing resource for breast cancer survivors. The core of this book is a series of yoga poses, breathing exercises and meditations specifically sequenced and designed to help heal and nurture women's bodies post surgery. Based on the authors' medical study, these yogic techniques are proven to increase flexibility and strength, reduce anxiety and pain, and to improve one's overall mental well-being. The writing is friendly, practical and is full of informed advice and gentle encouragement. This well thought out yoga program will be a huge gift to anyone recovering from breast cancer."-Timothy Burgin, YogaBasics.com

"... information that is easy to read and understand. The authors encourage patients to become active immediately after surgery, stress consciousness of body changes upon movement, and therefore provide a means to cope with body stresses and support healing.... This book will benefit breast cancer patients of all ages."-Cindy Howell MS RN CNOR CMLSO, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston Texas

Editorial Reviews

"Nurse and author Kollak (Yoga for Nurses) and physician Utz-Billing have studied yoga practice specifically with breast cancer patients and consider yoga a significant addition to a recovery protocol. They outline the dynamics of yoga and how the poses-asanas-can be customized for every woman, no matter her physical limitations or length of time postsurgery. The photos clearly illustrate the postures; 'Quick Look' boxes summarize the moves for each chapter. For all patient health collections."-Library Journal

"A good practice text and a worthy adjunct for Yoga teachers to accompany their class instruction for students in active breast cancer treatment."-Yoga Therapy Today

"Like a barely perceptibly rising inclined plane, the book very gently lifts the breast cancer and post-breast cancer patient toward a realistic sense of well-being and inevitable joy with the improved health that accompanies it... [the] elegant pictures, simple contraindications, and thoughtful directions bear witness to the unassuming confidence and serenity with which the book was written, and that may be quite contagious."- Loren M. Fishman, MD, author of Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis: A Journey to Health and Healing

"Yoga and Breast Cancer is a wonderful healing resource for breast cancer survivors. The core of this book is a series of yoga poses, breathing exercises and meditations specifically sequenced and designed to help heal and nurture women's bodies post surgery. Based on the authors' medical study, these yogic techniques are proven to increase flexibility and strength, reduce anxiety and pain, and to improve one's overall mental well-being. The writing is friendly, practical and is full of informed advice and gentle encouragement. This well thought out yoga program will be a huge gift to anyone recovering from breast cancer."-Timothy Burgin, YogaBasics.com

..". information that is easy to read and understand. The authors encourage patients to become active immediately after surgery, stress consciousness of body changes upon movement, and therefore provide a means to cope with body stresses and support healing.... This book will benefit breast cancer patients of all ages."-Cindy Howell MS RN CNOR CMLSO, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston Texas

"This is a valuable resource for patients who are looking for help in gaining strength physically and mentally."-Doody's Reviews--Loren Fishman, MD (08/12/2010)

"This is a valuable resource for patients who are looking for help in gaining strength physically and mentally."-Doodys Reviews
"Nurse and author Kollak (Yoga for Nurses) and physician Utz-Billing have studied yoga practice specifically with breast cancer patients and consider yoga a significant addition to a recovery protocol. They outline the dynamics of yoga and how the poses-asanas-can be customized for every woman, no matter her physical limitations or length of time postsurgery. The photos clearly illustrate the postures; "Quick Look" boxes summarize the moves for each chapter. For all patient health collections."-"Library Journal"
" a good practice text and a worthy adjunct for Yoga teachers to accompany their class instruction for students in active breast cancer treatment."-"Yoga Therapy Today"
"Like a barely perceptibly rising inclined plane, the book very gently lifts the breast cancer and post-breast cancer patient toward a realistic sense of well-being and inevitable joy with the improved health that accompanies it... [the] elegant pictures, simple contraindications, and thoughtful directions bear witness to the unassuming confidence and serenity with which the book was written, and that may be quite contagious."- Loren M. Fishman, MD, author of "Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis: A Journey to Health and Healing"
"Yoga and Breast Cancer is a wonderful healing resource for breast cancer survivors. The core of this book is a series of yoga poses, breathing exercises and meditations specifically sequenced and designed to help heal and nurture women's bodies post surgery. Based on the authors' medical study, these yogic techniques are proven to increase flexibility and strength, reduce anxiety and pain, and to improve one's overall mental well-being. The writing is friendly, practical and is full of informed advice and gentle encouragement. This well thought out yoga program will be a huge gift to anyone recovering from breast cancer."

From the Publisher

“Nurse and author Kollak (Yoga for Nurses) and physician Utz-Billing have studied yoga practice specifically with breast cancer patients and consider yoga a significant addition to a recovery protocol. They outline the dynamics of yoga and how the poses—asanas—can be customized for every woman, no matter her physical limitations or length of time postsurgery. The photos clearly illustrate the postures; 'Quick Look' boxes summarize the moves for each chapter. For all patient health collections.”—Library Journal

“A good practice text and a worthy adjunct for Yoga teachers to accompany their class instruction for students in active breast cancer treatment.”—Yoga Therapy Today

"Like a barely perceptibly rising inclined plane, the book very gently lifts the breast cancer and post-breast cancer patient toward a realistic sense of well-being and inevitable joy with the improved health that accompanies it... [the] elegant pictures, simple contraindications, and thoughtful directions bear witness to the unassuming confidence and serenity with which the book was written, and that may be quite contagious."— Loren M. Fishman, MD, author of Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis: A Journey to Health and Healing

"Yoga and Breast Cancer is a wonderful healing resource for breast cancer survivors. The core of this book is a series of yoga poses, breathing exercises and meditations specifically sequenced and designed to help heal and nurture women’s bodies post surgery. Based on the authors’ medical study, these yogic techniques are proven to increase flexibility and strength, reduce anxiety and pain, and to improve one’s overall mental well-being. The writing is friendly, practical and is full of informed advice and gentle encouragement. This well thought out yoga program will be a huge gift to anyone recovering from breast cancer."—Timothy Burgin, YogaBasics.com

"... information that is easy to read and understand. The authors encourage patients to become active immediately after surgery, stress consciousness of body changes upon movement, and therefore provide a means to cope with body stresses and support healing.... This book will benefit breast cancer patients of all ages."—Cindy Howell MS RN CNOR CMLSO, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston Texas

"This is a valuable resource for patients who are looking for help in gaining strength physically and mentally."—Doody's Reviews

Loren Fishman

Reviewer: Celeste Taylor-Ryman, BSN, CPON (University of New Mexico Hospital)
Description: This book is dedicated to helping breast cancer patients gain strength, peace of mind, and support through yoga.
Purpose: It focuses on yogic exercises for breast cancer patients to help them recover after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. This is a valuable resource for patients who are looking for help in gaining strength physically and mentally.
Audience: Recovering breast cancer patients are the intended audience.
Features: The book covers simple yogic exercises to strengthen and rejuvenate breast cancer patients. It also covers breathing exercises, meditation, and simple chanting to help create a sense of well-being. The book is best at presenting each exercise pictorially with full directions; it is so simply done that anyone could do the exercises.
Assessment: This is a good resource for breast cancer patients who want to be proactive in returning to a state of well-being.

Doody's Review Service