All_Sevens

I've been practicing yoga a long time, long before I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. As far as preventing prostate cancer, I don't believe that yoga alone can play a major role in preventing the disease. From the studies I've read about the increase in prostate cancer risk for Asians who move to the United States, I suspect that diet (especially a diet rich in saturated fats that mimic male hormones) plays a much bigger role in the expression of genes that initiate prostate cancer.

However, I do feel that yoga has helped me greatly in recovering from prostate cancer treatment (I had surgery). First, certain stretches that I do, particularly the Sphinx pose and several of the back bends, have made me aware of the healing scar tissue deep in my lower abdomen. I can actually feel a slight "tugging" when I do these poses. Gradually, I've been able to gently stretch this scar tissue and get more movement and flexibility over time.

Secondly, yoga has helped me recover from the emotional and mental impact of the treatment. I'm not the type of person who can just sit down and meditate-- I must move around in order to achieve a meditative state. Yoga has always helped me with this. By focusing on the movement, I can interrupt cycles of anxiety and depression, and start to consciously connect with what I am feeling in each moment. This is really important, because if I don't consciously monitor my feelings, my subconscious mind, with all its fears and anxieties, tends to take over my life.

And last, I find that yoga is just a fun thing to do with other people. The social interaction constantly reminds me that almost everyone is dealing with life's trials and tribulations. We're all in the same boat. Might as well enjoy the ride.