By: David Haas of the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance

According to the American Cancer Society, yoga is beneficial to those suffering from the side effects and symptoms of cancer. In addition to other forms of physical activity, yoga can help cancer patients feel better physically and mentally. Whether you are in treatment for mesothelioma or another type of cancer, adding a little exercise into each day can help you find relief from the side effects and symptoms that are adversely affecting your quality of life. Use these forms of exercise to relieve some of your symptoms and improve your quality of life:

Yoga

Cancer treatment can leave you feeling nauseated, sore and anxious. The calm, controlled movements of yoga help combat stomach upset, vomiting and nausea. They also help loosen your joints and improve the flexibility of your muscles to help reduce soreness in the body. Because yoga involves a great deal of deep breathing, it also helps to calm your body and mind.

While I was not one to hit the gym after the strike of midnight on Happy 2011, I did write a list of New Year’s resolutions, the first of which I knew I needed most: Listen to My Body. I realize this may sound strange, dramatic, even.  It’s not that I need to take note of my pre-lunch tummy grumble to know that I am hungry, nor is it a need to not-eat until I hear all of those stomach aliens screeching feed me. Believe me, thunder-wielding god, Thor, lets me know.

The thought to listen to my body first came to me after reading the article Inner Light on yogajournal.com. The article suggests that connecting with oneself is a great strategy to stay on path of a healthy weight loss plan.

“The combined effects of the self-acceptance, increased body awareness, and inward reflection that are natural byproducts of a regular yoga practice [including Pranayama] can increase your ability to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, and can have a positive impact, whether you’re significantly overweight, just wanting to lose a few pounds, or struggling with a body-image problem despite being at a healthy weight.”

I am not personally focused on the numerical weight of my body, but rather the surrendering insistence that my body does indeed know what it’s doing and needs my brain’s awareness to keep it happy (I’m so busy, it can be 6pm, and I’ve had oatmeal and an orange. No water. Just coffee). No wonder I have a headache. In fact, I’ve lost all sympathy from friends who know my dilemma.