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Pilates and yoga suggested for survivors?

Page last modified on: October 7, 2008

Question from Gail: Are Pilates and yoga good forms of exercise for breast cancer survivors?: Answers —Miriam Nelson, Ph.D.: I'd say that any exercise is good for breast cancer survivors. The exercise that you are going to enjoy the most and stick with the most is probably the best exercise that you can do. When you talk about being more specific about the benefits, yoga, tai chi, and Pilates are all helpful for women, whether you're a breast cancer survivor or not, because they help with strength and flexibility especially at the core, the abdominal and back muscles. Women tend to be weaker than men in these areas, so these types of exercise are excellent. The only thing I'd add is that if you have particular issues, i.e. lymphedema, you need to be a little more cautious.; Julie Gralow, M.D.: I would just add that I like the strength building of yoga and Pilates. Having done some of this myself, I know you can get major benefits. When my patients enroll in a program when they're doing this twice a week for eight weeks, they always feel stronger at the end.; Judith Sachs, moderator: As a teacher of tai chi, I want to put in a plug for that. Arms are held in the air as the body moves, and it's wonderful because there's no resistance to anything except the air. For somebody recovering from upper body surgery, it's a non-dynamic way to learn to use the arms again.

On Wednesday, January 18, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Physical Activity and Breast Cancer. Miriam Nelson, Ph.D., Julie Gralow, M.D., and moderator Judith Sachs answered your questions about the many issues related to physical activity and breast cancer.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Miriam Nelson, Ph.D. is the author of the international best-sellers Strong Women Stay Young; Strong Women Stay Slim;Strong Women, Strong Bones; and other titles. She is Director of the John Hancock Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition and Associate Professor of Nutrition at the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.

Julie Gralow, M.D. is associate professor of medical oncology specializing in breast cancer at the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and director of breast medical oncology at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

Judith Sachs is a health educator, writer, speaker, and former member of the Breastcancer.org editorial team.