Yoga for healing initiative funded by Unite in the Fight

A person’s emotional and mental health plays a large role in their overall health. This is especially true for cancer patients at any stage of the cancer journey who must learn to manage the additional stress that comes with a cancer diagnosis.

Physical exercise is beneficial and often encouraged for cancer patients. Many doctors recommend yoga, as it can be adjusted for all experience levels and can even be done while sitting in a chair. Along with its flexibility depending on a patient’s physical limitations, yoga has been found to have many benefits, such as lowering stress, a boost in alertness and enthusiasm, improved sleep, and can ease body pain.  

Hari Kashyap, Ph.D., is a certified lymphedema therapist at the Georgia Cancer Clinic. He works with patients that suffer from lymphedema, a build-up of lymph fluid that causes swelling. While working with patients through his treatment plans, he often suggests therapeutic exercises that can include yoga.

Yoga can be challenging to do alone and while classes are available, they are not typically free. Kashyap decided to provide his own classes that are free to everyone, but with a focus on past and present cancer patients.

“I wanted to provide opportunities to access a series of low-impact yoga sessions to all levels of experience or fitness,” said Kashyap.

His program, ‘Yoga for Healing’ started in January of 2025 and continued until the end of February 2025. The hour-long sessions, held every Saturday morning, focused on assisting with balance, stress management, and breathing techniques.

Funding for his program came from Unite in the Fight Against Cancer. Unite is an annual community celebration honoring all who have been affected by this disease, while raising funds for patient-centered programs. This program, along with 12 others, was selected to receive funding. With the funding, Kashyap was able to provide mats for patients, which can be used for future yoga sessions as well.

Depending on the feedback Kashyap receives from his first round of sessions, this could be a continued program that the Georgia Cancer Center provides for its patients.

If you would like to learn more about this program, follow us on Facebook to be kept up to date on it and the other programs funded by Unite in the Fight Against Cancer. Unite in the Fight Against Cancer will be held on May 3rd 2025. You can find more information by visiting our website and Facebook event page. We encourage all to join us in the fight against cancer.