When it comes to women’s health, a recent survey by WHO reported a staggering 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer all around the world. Breast cancer is also a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in our country. These numbers are alarming and highlight the critical need for holistic approaches to support patients through their journey of treatment and recovery.

It is observed that as soon as breast cancer is diagnosed or treatment is started, the patient may go through severe stress. This directly impacts the patient’s quality of life. Therefore, stress management techniques are essential to reduce treatment-related distress.

Yoga helps cancer patients cope with the cancer diagnosis and treatment with some gentle yet powerful practices.

1. Yogendra Sukhasana

⦁ Sit with legs stretched out.

⦁ Now bend one leg and place the heel under the opposite thigh.

⦁ Then fold the other leg, placing the heel under the opposite thigh and keep the ankles crossed.

⦁ Place the hands on the respective thighs, palm downwards.

⦁ Keep the body straight, close your eyes and passively observe the breath.

⦁ Mind may wander to other thoughts but gently bring it back to breath.

⦁ Slowly open the eyes and gently stretch the legs.

Benefit: Practicing this asana helps reduce emotional turmoil that often accompanies breast cancer treatment.

2. Yogendra Chandrabhedana

⦁ Sit with the body above the waist straight and eyes closed.

⦁ Hold the right fingers to the nostrils – the little and ring finger resting on the left nostril and the thumb on the right one; the forefinger and middle-finger bent.

⦁ Releasing the left nostril, start inhaling from the left nostril.

⦁ Keep inhaling as per your comfort.

⦁ When a sense of fullness is felt, close both the nostrils momentarily.

⦁ Immediately, release the right nostril and exhale.

⦁ Start another round by closing the right nostril and inhaling from the left nostril.

Benefit: It reduces heat in the body and is particularly helpful after radiation therapy, which can leave the body feeling overheated.

3. Nishpandabhava

⦁ Sit and lean against a wall with legs stretched in front.

⦁ Keep a distance of 2-3 feet between your legs.

⦁ Place your hands gently on the upper thighs with palms facing upwards and close your eyes.

⦁ Start by observing the breath for a few minutes and then gently direct the attention to a sound, which is continuous but feeble.

⦁ Passively hear this sound, without any association with the object.

⦁ Sit in this posture for 15 minutes.

⦁ If the mind wanders, then gently bring it back to the sound.

⦁ Make a cup of the palms and place on the eyes. Blink gently in the cup of the palms and then open the eyes.

Benefits: Nishpandabhava helps the mind detach from stressful thoughts and helps the patient to maintain a state of calm, even in the face of challenges like doctor visits.

Other Holistic Tips

Apart from the techniques, the yogic approach involves adjustments to lifestyle.

⦁ Fresh juices like lemon water, coconut water, and aam panna soothe the body.

⦁ Foods like lentils, spinach, and raisins are rich in iron, which may be low during cancer treatment.

⦁ Sleep an extra hour daily to aid in rejuvenation.

⦁ Gradually resume light household tasks to build confidence and stamina.

⦁ Surrender to a higher power to find acceptance and peace.

Regular yoga practice ensures that the lymphatic system, which helps your body to get rid of toxins and waste, to remain active. This aids in detoxification, reduces fluid retention, and boosts immunity. This is essential during cancer treatment because the body’s natural defense mechanisms are compromised.

Yogic techniques help breast cancer patients respond positively to the diagnosis and treatment. They find joy in living life to the fullest by appreciating each new day with a sense of wonder.

Kareena Kapoor Khan, and whatever she does, is always making headlines. Even at the age of 44, she is an epitome of fitness. Out of her duties, she ensures to devote time to fitness, through various workout forms, including yoga.

Her Yoga instructor, Anushka Parwani, revealed in a recent interview with ETimes that Kareena in fact was her first ever student. She had always focused on fitness over weight loss.

Anushka Parwani is a celebrity trainer, who has trained Alia Bhatt and Deepika Padukone. In the interview, she shared insights from Kareena's routine and how her dedication to yoga keeps her fit!

What has helped Kareena is how she has been able to understand her body and its need and thus she compliments those needs with yoga. Her instructor also revealed that Kareena never desired to lose weight, but to maintain her overall fitness, including adjusting her waist size.

"Kareena is the most aware of her body. I know this because I have been with her...she was my first-ever student, not just the first actor I worked with. There is so much to learn form her because she is so aware. She has always loved yoga, and she understands her body as well. So, we know when to push a little and alter the workout or when to do variations and just do breathwork. Right now, we are very balanced. It is also about pausing. With experience and age comes pausing; she knows when to pause," shared her instructor.

Her instructor also revealed that the actor does a lot of mixes of animal flows, and strength, as well as cardiovascular-based workouts.

However, reveals her instructor, her true best friend to fitness has been yoga. This is also because Yoga offers a sustainable and holistic solution. It also combines fat-burning, muscle toning, and core strengthening benefits. Furthermore, yoga also helps one calm there mind.

Here are 6 yoga asanas that can help you stay fit and keep your waistline in check like Kareena Kapoor khan.

Here's for you to try out:

Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)

Benefits: Strengthens legs, stretches the spine and waist, improves digestion.

Steps:

• Stand with your feet 3–4 feet apart.
• Turn your right foot out 90°, and left foot slightly in.
• Extend your arms out at shoulder height, palms facing down.
• Inhale, then exhale and bend to the right, placing your right hand on your shin, ankle, or floor.
• Stretch your left arm toward the ceiling, in line with your shoulders.
• Look up at your left hand. Hold, then repeat on the other side.

Naukasana (Boat Pose)

Benefits: Tones abs, improves balance, strengthens core and hip flexors.

Steps:

• Sit on the floor with legs extended and arms by your sides.
• Lean back slightly and lift your legs off the floor, keeping them straight.
• Raise your arms forward, parallel to the floor.
• Your body should form a "V" shape.
• Hold the pose, keeping your back straight and core engaged.
• Breathe steadily, then release gently.

Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Spinal Twist Pose)

Benefits: Improves spinal flexibility, aids digestion, massages internal organs.

Steps:

• Sit with legs stretched out.
• Bend your right knee and place your right foot outside your left thigh.
• Fold your left leg, placing the left foot beside the right hip.
• Inhale, raise your left arm; exhale and twist to the right, placing your left elbow on the outside of the right knee.
• Place your right hand behind your back for support.
• Look over your right shoulder. Hold, then repeat on the other side.

Parivrtta Utkatasana (Revolved Chair Pose)

Benefits: Strengthens thighs and glutes, improves balanceand detoxification.

Steps:

• Stand with feet together, arms by your side.
• Inhale, raise arms overhead; exhale and bend knees to sit into a chair pose.
• Bring palms together at your chest (Namaste).
• Twist your torso to the right, bringing your left elbow outside your right knee.
• Keep knees aligned and spine long.
• Hold, then return to center and repeat on the other side.

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

Benefits: Strengthens back muscles, opens chest, relieves stress.

Steps:

• Lie face down with legs extended, tops of feet flat on the mat.
• Place hands under your shoulders, elbows close to the body.
• Inhale, gently lift your chest off the floor using your back muscles.
• Keep elbows slightly bent and shoulders away from ears.
• Hold while breathing steadily, then slowly lower down.

Vasisthasana (Side Plank Pose)

Benefits: Strengthens arms, core, and legs; improves balance.

Steps:

• Start in a plank position.
• Shift your weight to your right hand and outer edge of the right foot.
• Stack your left foot on top of your right.
• Raise your left arm straight up toward the sky.
• Keep your body in a straight line, core engaged.
• Hold, then return to plank and switch sides.

Yoga is an adaptable exercise that has poses and asanas to accommodate people according to their needs. Not everyone can perform the exercises at the same level as an experienced yoga practitioner. There are standing, flowing as well as sitting poses, these ranges allow people with all kinds of abilities to practice yoga, whether they have mobility issue, or motor control issues etc.

When it comes to conditions like heart issues, high blood pressure and blood sugar issues, people have to be very cautious. While controlling food helps them improve their health, without exercise it is not easy to do so. If you are also struggling with these issues but are unsure of what exercises you must do, try yoga. There are many poses that can help you build your health and live a healthier life like Vajrasana pose. It is a simple sitting pose that not only improves high blood pressure, but also reduces back pain, increases focus etc.

What is Vajrasana Pose?

In Vajrasana, when you kneel and sit back, it gently takes some of the pressure off your knees. This position is often used when you're doing breathing exercises to calm your mind or when you're meditating to feel more peaceful inside. People who follow Ayurvedic medicine, an old Indian system of health, believe that sitting in this way helps your body become as strong and stable as a diamond. It's about finding strength in being still and focusing your energy.

Here’s how to do it

• Begin by kneeling down on the floor. Consider placing a yoga mat underneath for added comfort to your knees and shins.
• Bring your knees and ankles together so they are touching. Point your feet straight back behind you, in line with your legs. The soles of your feet should face upward, and your big toes should touch gently.
• Exhale slowly as you gently lower your buttocks down to rest on your heels. Your thighs will naturally rest on top of your calves in this position.
• Place your hands on the tops of your thighs. Gently adjust your pelvis by rocking slightly backward and forward until you find a comfortable and balanced seated position.
• As you inhale and exhale slowly, focus on straightening your spine. Imagine a gentle lift from the base of your spine to the crown of your head, helping you sit tall. Gently press your tailbone slightly towards the floor.
• Straighten your head so you are looking directly forward, with your chin parallel to the floor. Rest your hands on your thighs with your palms facing down, keeping your arms relaxed. Breathe gently and evenly in this pose.

When Should You Avoid Doing Vajrasana

Before you start doing any yoga exercises, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor. They can tell you how yoga might affect your current health and suggest ways to do it safely so you don't have any problems. Here are some reasons why you should avoid doing this pose.

• If you have recently undergone surgery on your knees.
• If you have a condition that affects your spinal cord, particularly in the lower vertebrae (lower back)
• If you have intestinal ulcers, a hernia, or any other intestinal problems such as an ulcer or hernia
• If you are pregnant, it's important to speak with your doctor before attempting Vajrasana.

One of the biggest benefits of yoga is its effectiveness to relieve stress and help you focus on your current self of well-being. While you may think yoga needs to be done in a certain place at a certain dedicated time, most yoga poses do not need extra bells and whistles. All you need is the right yoga pose. One such yoga pose that you can do anywhere and anytime is Padmasana. It may look similar to sitting cross-legged, but there are slight differences between them.

Also known as the Lotus pose, it is a pose that symbolises peace and resilience. While you can definitely practice this at home, if you have a comfortable work chair you can practice this a well. While it may be a bit difficult to sustain this pose, you will notice many differences in your body after a while of doing it.

Benefits of Padmasana

Regular practice of Padmasana offers several physical benefits. It provides a beneficial stretch to the muscles of the thighs, calves, ankles, and hips. Additionally, it can help in correcting minor irregularities in the spinal alignment and positively affect the pelvic region and the lower abdomen.

Beyond the physical stretch, Padmasana offers therapeutic advantages. By encouraging an erect spine it helps to correct posture. It also enhances flexibility in the lower extremities, specifically stretching the ankle and knee joints. Furthermore, it can improve blood circulation in the abdominal area and may be helpful in managing menstrual discomfort and sciatica issues.

What Else Does It Help You With?

Beyond the physical stretch, Padmasana offers therapeutic advantages. By encouraging an erect spine, it helps to correct posture. It also enhances flexibility in the lower extremities, specifically stretching the ankle and knee joints. Furthermore, it can improve blood circulation in the abdominal area and may be helpful in managing menstrual discomfort and sciatica issues.

The practice of Padmasana involves several muscle groups working together. These include the hip abductors, flexors, and medial rotators in the hips. The pose also engages the muscles around the knees and elbows, as well as the ankle plantar flexors in the ankles.

How to Do Padmasana

1. Gently bend your right leg at the knee. Carefully fold it inwards and place your right heel on top of your left thigh. The sole of your right foot should be facing upwards.
2. Now, bend your left leg at the knee and fold it. Bring your left heel on top of your right thigh, aiming to cross your ankles. Ideally, your heels should be positioned as closely together as is comfortable.
3. Try to gently press both of your knees down towards the ground as much as feels natural and safe.
4. Maintain an upright posture with your head, neck, and torso aligned in a straight line. Gently draw your abdomen inwards to support your spine.
5. Place your left hand below your navel, with the palm facing upwards. Rest your right hand on top of your left hand, also with the palm facing upwards. Allow your shoulders and hands to relax.
6. Remain in this pose, focusing on your natural breath or gently directing your gaze towards a chosen point.
7. Gently release your hand position, allowing them to rest comfortably on your knees or thighs.
8. Slowly and carefully lift the leg that is on top with the support of your hands and place it back down on the mat. Then, gently unfold your other leg.
9. Finally, slowly straighten both of your legs back to the initial stretched-out position.