Yoga - CancerChoices

What It Is and How It May Help

Author

Clinical reviewer

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS

Senior Clinical Consultant

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Last update: August 19, 2026

Yoga for cancer: what you need to know

Yoga is an ancient mind-body practice combining gentle breathing exercises, meditation, stretches, and poses to promote flexibility, strength, and balance.
There is good evidence that yoga may reduce anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disruption, and psychological stress or distress among people with cancer.
Yoga is linked to improvements in body terrain factors including body weight, blood sugar and insulin imbalance, hormone levels, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
This is not a standalone treatment for cancer; it is a complementary therapy used alongside standard medical care to support treatment and/or well-being.

What is yoga?

Yoga is an ancient mind-body practice combining gentle breathing exercises, meditation, stretches and poses to promote flexibility, strength, and balance. Many specific types of yoga are available.

Yoga is linked to improvements in body terrain factors including body weight, blood sugar and insulin imbalance, hormone levels, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Yoga practice is also linked to lower frequency and/or severity of symptoms and side effects common among people with cancer, especially anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disruption, stress, and distress, leading to overall better quality of life for many people.

Safety

Generally safe though injuries are possible
Caution and supervision are needed for people with, or at risk of, cancer-related conditions such as lymphedema, neuropathy, or bone loss
We recommend that people with cancer work with instructors trained in leading yoga for people with cancer to reduce the risk of injury
If you are recovering from recent surgery or have an injury, yoga may not be recommended. Follow your doctor’s advice on whether yoga is appropriate for you.

See full safety details, side effects & drug interactions →

How yoga may help people with cancer

Strength of evidence rating

We rate the strength of the evidence with 0=no evidence, 1=weak evidence, 2=modest evidence, and 3=good evidence. Read more about our method in detail here ›

Improving treatment outcomes

Managing side effects

Optimizing your body terrain

Studies have found lower markers of inflammation among people with cancer practicing yoga.¹⁹Sohl SJ, Tooze JA et al. A randomized controlled pilot study of yoga skills training versus an attention control delivered during chemotherapy administration. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2022 Jan;63(1):23-32; Tsai CL, Liu LC et al. Yoga versus massage in the treatment of aromatase inhibitor-associated knee joint pain in breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial. Scientific Reports. 2021 Jul 21;11(1):14843; Kaushik D, Shah PK et al. Effects of yoga in men with prostate cancer on quality of life and immune response: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases. 2021 Nov 23; Bower JE, Greendale G et al. Yoga reduces inflammatory signaling in fatigued breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2014 May;43:20-9; Huberty J, Eckert R et al. Online yoga in myeloproliferative neoplasm patients: results of a randomized pilot trial to inform future research. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2019 Jun 7;19(1):121. Small studies, including two studies on people with cancer, have found higher markers of immune activation among people practicing yoga.²⁰Lim SA, Cheong KJ. Regular yoga practice improves antioxidant status, immune function, and stress hormone releases in young healthy people: a randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2015 Sep;21(9):530-8; Rao RM, Vadiraja HS et al. Effect of yoga on sleep quality and neuroendocrine immune response in metastatic breast cancer patients. Indian Journal of Palliative Care. 2017 Jul-Sep;23(3):253-260; Kaushik D, Shah PK et al. Effects of yoga in men with prostate cancer on quality of life and immune response: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases. 2021 Nov 23. Increased immune system activation is not always beneficial, so your oncology team needs to determine whether immune activation would be favorable in your situation.

Studies have found lower markers of oxidative stress or oxidation among healthy people or people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, or metabolic syndrome practicing yoga.²¹Venugopal V, Geethanjali S et al. Effect of yoga on oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Current Diabetes Reviews. 2022;18(2):63-70; Hegde SV, Adhikari P, Kotian SM, Shastry R. Effects of yoga versus sham yoga on oxidative stress, glycemic status, and anthropometry in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a single-blinded randomized pilot study. International Journal of Yoga Therapy. 2020 Jan 1;30(1):33-39; Yadav R, Yadav RK, Khadgawat R, Pandey RM. Comparative efficacy of a 12 week yoga-based lifestyle intervention and dietary intervention on adipokines, inflammation, and oxidative stress in adults with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Translational Behavioral Medicine. 2019 Jul 16;9(4):594-604; Lim SA, Cheong KJ. Regular yoga practice improves antioxidant status, immune function, and stress hormone releases in young healthy people: a randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2015 Sep;21(9):530-8; Hegde SV, Adhikari P, Shetty S, Manjrekar P, D’Souza V. Effect of community-based yoga intervention on oxidative stress and glycemic parameters in prediabetes: a randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2013 Dec;21(6):571-6. 2013.

Yoga may also support hormone balance. Women with breast cancer practicing yoga were found to have lower cortisol levels in two studies;²²Chandwani KD, Perkins G et al. Randomized, controlled trial of yoga in women with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2014 Apr 1;32(10):1058-65; Rao RM, Vadiraja HS et al. Effect of yoga on sleep quality and neuroendocrine immune response in metastatic breast cancer patients. Indian Journal of Palliative Care. 2017 Jul-Sep;23(3):253-260. lower cortisol levels have also been seen among healthy people and people with diabetes practicing yoga.²³Thind H, Lantini R, Balletto B et al. The effects of yoga among adults with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Preventive Medicine. 2017 Dec;105:116-126; Pascoe MC, Thompson DR, Ski CF. Yoga, mindfulness-based stress reduction and stress-related physiological measures: a meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2017 Dec;86:152-168; Benvenutti MJ, Alves EDS et al. A single session of hatha yoga improves stress reactivity and recovery after an acute psychological stress task—a counterbalanced, randomized-crossover trial in healthy individuals. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2017 Dec;35:120-126; Gothe NP, Keswani RK, McAuley E. Yoga practice improves executive function by attenuating stress levels. Biological Psychology. 2016 Dec;121(Pt A):109-116; Meier M, Wirz L, Dickinson P, Pruessner JC. Laughter yoga reduces the cortisol response to acute stress in healthy individuals. Stress. 2021 Jan;24(1):44-52; Fujisawa A, Ota A et al. Effect of laughter yoga on salivary cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone among healthy university students: a randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2018 Aug;32:6-11. Preliminary studies show improved levels of reproductive hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone),²⁴Jorge MP, Santaella DF et al. Hatha yoga practice decreases menopause symptoms and improves quality of life: a randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2016 Jun;26:128-35. adrenalin,²⁵Lim SA, Cheong KJ. Regular yoga practice improves antioxidant status, immune function, and stress hormone releases in young healthy people: a randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2015 Sep;21(9):530-8. and serotonin²⁶Lim SA, Cheong KJ. Regular yoga practice improves antioxidant status, immune function, and stress hormone releases in young healthy people: a randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2015 Sep;21(9):530-8. among people practicing yoga. Changes in hormone levels seen in the studies here may not be beneficial in every situation. Your oncology team needs to determine whether any changes would be favorable for your condition.

One study found slightly less DNA damage to healthy white blood cells (lymphocytes) during radiotherapy among people with breast cancer practicing yoga.²⁷Banerjee B, Vadiraj HS et al. Effects of an integrated yoga program in modulating psychological stress and radiation-induced genotoxic stress in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2007 Sep;6(3):242-50.

Reducing cancer risk or recurrence

We did not find any published studies investigating yoga for reducing cancer risk or recurrence.

See the full evidence summary ›

Affordability and access

Is a prescription required?

No, but we recommend you consult your oncology team before starting yoga

Other names and subtypes

There are many different styles of yoga. When looking for classes names like “Gentle,” “Therapeutic,” or “Hatha” could indicate slower styles. Read about the different styles to find the best one for you here: Types of Yoga: A Guide to the Different Styles

Where to find it

Many hospitals, clinics, and other health facilities offer yoga classes. Ask your oncology team about local classes for people with cancer.
Yoga studios are available widely throughout the US and much of the rest of the world.
Videos and online sources are also available, such as Moffitt Cancer Center’s Gentle Yoga for People with Cancer, Yoga Bridge Yoga for Cancer, and yoga4cancer (also includes global directory of certified oncology yoga teachers)

Affordability

Low cost ($15-$40 a class), personal yoga therapy may be in the range of $50-$200 for a one-on-one session
Generally not covered by insurance

Find an integrative provider ›

FAQs

Can yoga help fight cancer?

There is no published research showing that yoga may help fight cancer.

Can yoga help with cancer pain?

Yes, some studies show that yoga may help manage pain among people with cancer. One large study found that women with breast cancer practicing yoga had less severe pain immediately after yoga practice.

Can yoga help with anxiety or depression?

Yes, many studies show that yoga may help manage anxiety and depression, as well as stress and distress, among people with cancer.

Does yoga support immune function in cancer patients?

Small studies, including two studies on people with cancer, have found higher markers of immune activation among people practicing yoga. However, increased immune system activation is not always beneficial; your oncology team needs to determine whether immune activation would be favorable in your situation.

Can yoga reduce inflammation in cancer patients?

Several studies have found lower markers of inflammation among people with cancer practicing yoga.

Yoga for Cancer