Today every person has access to modern medicine. While it helps to cure medical ailments by repairing broken machinery, it is unable to see the subtle dimensions of the human personality. This is where the concept of holistic medicine came from.

The concept of holistic health is very old in India, which aims to cover the physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being of the patient. Unfortunately, this approach has slowly faded away due to the excessive influence of Western medical science in the last century.

Although the modern age has added a lot of conveniences to our lives, it has also brought with it a heavy burden of lifestyle diseases like cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, digestive disorders and above all, cancer.

More than 14 million people worldwide suffer from cancer and it is considered the second biggest killer disease. It is a known fact that 30-50 percent of cancers can be prevented by simply adopting a healthy lifestyle. Sedentary nature of work, lack of physical activity, unnecessary stress and negative emotions are all scientifically proven to cause this deadly disease.

In fact, there is growing evidence that increased levels of stress hormones such as catecholamines and cortisol induce cancer.

Studies have also shown that chronic stress increases the metastatic potential of the disease, decreasing the patient’s overall quality of life and chances of survival.

Cancer is a dangerous disease. If the cause of the disease is stress, cancer can cause fear, depression, anxiety and panic. According to various studies, every fourth cancer patient seeks psychological help. This is where mind-body techniques and the practice of yoga come in handy.

To date, there have been more than 100 randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) and uncontrolled trials reporting the benefits or therapeutic effects of yoga on cancer patients.

Yoga has been prevalent in our country for around 4000 years.

Though it was being followed in various parts of the world, the system found its full expression only in India. According to medical scientists, yoga therapy has been successful in treating various medical conditions as it creates a balance between the nervous and endocrine systems.

Through these yogic practices, one can reduce one’s stress and maintain a healthy balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic arousal.

The various body movements, postures, meditation and breathing exercises help to bring about a complete harmony between body and mind. A meta-analysis of patients suffering from breast cancer has shown improved scores with respect to their functional, social and spiritual well-being by practising yoga. Positive mood, reduction in negative thoughts, reduction in hostility and increase in enthusiasm were the appreciable changes in people practising this art.

While yoga for pediatric cancer patients has been incorporated to increase their strength, balance, pain and quality of life. A study from Seattle Children’s Hospital showed that five weekly yoga classes spread over a two-month period improved the physical function of children with cancer.

In fact, yoga proved to be therapeutic, creating happiness and positive emotions that boosted the child’s activity, mobility and participation despite long-term illness.

While yoga may not provide a cure for cancer patients, it is certain that it reduces suffering, helps them cope with stress, adds quality and meaning to their lives. It is invaluable, inexpensive and requires no infrastructure or maintenance. When combined with lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and dietary changes, yoga has proven to be effective and has stood the test of time in establishing harmony between body, mind and spirit.

It is true that the choices we make in our lives define our journey. The most powerful tool to overcome the stress of life is self-motivation. The two words that can change the way we walk on this journey are “Can I?” or “I can”.

A person can bring a change in his life by choosing the right option. We should also understand that the day we sow the seed, we do not eat the fruit that day. Therefore, the best philosophy of life is to keep the mind happy. We do not know whether success gives happiness or not, but a happy mind always leads to success.

(Dr. Tapaswini Pradhan is Senior Consultant, Head & Neck Oncosurgery, Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi)