Yoga for Medical Procedures

Yoga for Medical Procedures

Yoga for Medical Procedures

by Nina

Quietude by Kees van Dongen*

The other day I was talking to a friend of mine about a relative who needs to undergo various tests and treatments for cancer. She was saying that it was too bad her relative didn�t have any calming practices that she could call on in these challenging circumstances. For example, she�d had a very rough time staying in place for 45 minutes during an MRI. 

I said, �Yes, you or I would have done a yogic breath practice in that situation.�

�Exactly,� my friend replied. 

�Maybe next time you see her you can teach her a few things?� I suggested. 

Then I reminded my friend about something I�d written about on this blog about almost six years ago (!)  in my post Stress Test. My oral surgeon had been so impressed with how relaxed I was during surgery (he said I was the most relaxed patient he�d ever worked on!) that after I explained I had been doing breath practices, he demanded I provide him with instructions for what I�d been doing. So later on after I'd rested up a bit, I emailed him instructions for practicing breath awareness and extending the exhalation. 

Now, I said to my friend, I recently went back to see him again because I need more surgery (no, sorry, yoga does not prevent gum recession�my surgeon blames it on my having had braces, believe it or not). He remembered exactly who I was and said, �I tell all my patients about you! As a matter of fact, I offer them the breath practice instructions you gave me. First, I administer the anesthetic. Then I instruct them in the breath techniques�extending the exhalation and all that�and leave them to it for a while. And when I return, they�re all very relaxed!� 

My friend was very impressed with that story. Yes, this was proof that everyone and anyone can benefit from these practices, even people with no previous experience whatsoever.

So if you�re not already be doing these practices when you�re at the dentist getting a filling or having some kind of uncomfortable, painful, or scary medical test or procedure, give them a try (instructions for breath awareness are at A Balm for the Soul: Practicing Simple Breath Awareness and extending the exhalation are at Calming Breath Practices We Recommend). And try to teach the techniques to others who might benefit�you don�t even need to tell them it�s yoga.

If you have some other practices you do at times like these, please do share!

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