Yoga for Cancer

Yoga for Cancer: Safety & Side Effects

This page covers safety information for Yoga. See our complete Yoga therapy guide →

Author

Nancy Hepp, MS

past Lead Researcher

View profile

Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher and writer for CancerChoices and also served as the first program manager. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.

Nancy Hepp, MS past Lead Researcher

Clinical reviewer

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS

Senior Clinical Consultant

View profile

Laura Pole is senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices. Laura is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation, and education services for over 40 years. She is the co-creator and co-coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Navigation Training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” listserv for Smith Center/Commonweal. In her role as a palliative care educator and consultant, Laura has served as statewide Respecting Choices Faculty for the Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) Collaborative as well as provided statewide professional education on palliative and end-of-life care for the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care.

For CancerChoices, Laura curates content and research, networks with clinical and organizational partners, brings awareness and education of integrative oncology at professional and patient conferences and programs, and translates research into information relevant to the patient experience as well as clinical practice.

Laura sees her work with CancerChoices as a perfect alignment of all her passions, knowledge and skills in integrative oncology care. She is honored to serve you.

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS Senior Clinical Consultant

Last update: August 19, 2026

Is yoga safe?

Yoga involves movement and balance, and novices are highly recommended to practice under the supervision and guidance of a certified professional, preferably one trained in the needs of cancer patients. 

Some types of yoga are more vigorous than others; be sure to consider your overall state of health when choosing a class to try. We advise cancer patients interested in starting yoga to consult their physicians and find yoga teachers trained in yoga for cancer patients. 

Side effects and adverse reactions

People practicing yoga can experience injuries. These are among the most common:¹YogaRenew Teacher Training. ​5 common yoga injuries and how to avoid them. YogaRenew. February 18, 2020. Viewed May 1, 2022.

• Wrist strain or injury
• Lower back pain
• Shoulder strain
• Knee pain or discomfort
• Neck compression

People with cancer may experience or be at increased risk of bone loss, lymphedema, neuropathy, and other conditions as a result of cancer treatments. Some poses may need to be altered to reduce risk of injury. A trained instructor, especially one trained in leading yoga among people with cancer, can reduce your risk of injury.

Contraindications

If you have an injury, are recovering from recent surgery, or have been advised by your oncologist not to practice yoga due to bone metastases or other conditions, yoga may not be recommended. Health issues beyond cancer may also influence how appropriate yoga is for you. Follow your doctor’s advice.

Increased breathlessness with physical activity is a concern for people with lung cancer, but a standardized Viniyoga protocol may allow people to participate in yoga without causing breathlessness.²Fouladbakhsh JM, Davis JE, Yarandi HN. Using a standardized Viniyoga protocol for lung cancer survivors: a pilot study examining effects on breathing ease. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine. 2013 Jun 26;10(1):175-187.

Qigong may be a gentler alternative if yoga is not recommended for you.

← Back to the full Yoga therapy guide