Yoga For Prostate Cancer

By Diane Talbert

2 min read

I've talked about my father a lot and his journey with prostate cancer. Before his diagnosis, I don’t think I had ever heard much about this illness. Today, I know a lot more.

My father is getting older and was having a few more pains, so I asked his doctor whether there was anything he can do to combat it. His doctor suggested yoga. Yep, I said yoga. His doctor told him this could help uplift the body’s responsiveness and physical flexibility. I have always heard that yoga helps get rid of your body’s stress.

Yoga for people with prostate cancer

I figured there was nothing for my dad to lose, and figured that yoga could help make a person's mood better and help them have a more positive attitude toward life.

I guess you’re wondering: how does it work for prostate cancer fighters? I talked to a yoga instructor, and she gave some positive feedback. Yoga can do good things for the body and make your blood flow more active. You can do specific movements like holding and maintaining positions. These positions can work on the core muscles and help make them stronger. My father has been able to do a few at his age.

A major issue related to side effects of prostate cancer treatment, of course, is the intimacy part. I can’t even begin to even answer that part about my father. But I have heard that yoga could bring positive changes in that area. One 2017 study suggested that yoga could potentially reduce urinary and sexual side effects of treatment.¹

My father's experience

My father is very elderly, so I did take him a few times. He struggled, but he liked going a lot. I think this is something that middle-age and younger men can also benefit from. Yoga can be specially designed for positions and times according to how much work you can do alongside your already tough treatment.

Of course, yoga can’t completely subside the disease, but I think it can be one tool to help cope with it and feel more positive and hopeful.

Improving life

I know yoga is not for everyone; it's just something to potentially help make life better and healthier than before. Yoga is not just about body movements and flexible turns and twists; it can help refresh the overall mood of the body. I think it can help a person feel more content with their life situations, which can help bring about change.

I believe that everything in life that brings a positive mindset can bring changes to your body. My father is a perfect example of this. He is eighty-eight and thinks he can run marathons. I think yoga and a person's response to treatment can make them more willful to approach life with new energy.

Men, please get checked early. I know what I'm talking about.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The ProstateCancer.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Sue Franke Moderator & Contributor
My sister was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma seven years ago at age 70. She was a yoga advocate for several years before that. She continued yoga during her 18 months of chemo treatments. She said there were days where she could only sit on the mat and watch her yoga friends perform the poses, but even that helped her heal mentally. When she could, she joined in. Her yoga exercises helped her mind and when she was able to participate, also helped relieve some of the pain in her bones from the chemo treatments. I say good for your father. Good for my sister. Maybe it's time some more of us jumped on the yoga bandwagon? There are certainly days where I could use some relief from stress and the aches and pains of getting older. 
1. Diane Talbert Moderator & Contributor
 Hello <inline-mention username="deadstick" user-id="3264343"/> , I am so sorry to hear that. You are so right, everything is not for everyone. I hope your friend is doing better and wish for a speedy recovery. My father is almost 90, so we don't push him to do too much, but he enjoys it. Thanks for sharing. Diane (Team Member)
2. Guy Meredith Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="deadstick" user-id="3264343"/> There are a number of different kinds of yoga. Some are very strenuous and others are basically just stretching. Stretching type modes are probably the best bet for some of us (me). I'm in a study by OHSU to learn of the effects of T'ai Ch'i, stretching and (moderate) strength training on men who have been on ADT for prostate cancer treatment. Seems we have more balance and falling issues even than other old timers. Guy B. Meredith, moderator.
Diane Talbert Moderator & Contributor
Hello <inline-mention username="Sue Franke" user-id="4506969"/> , I know just how you feel. There are days I say, can it get any worst. I found out it can. Yes, I agree we need something to relieve the stress and pain. I do believe your sister and my father are on to something. Thanks for chiming in. Diane (Team Member)
Dennis E. Golden Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="deadstick" user-id="3264343"/> Guys often figure if I can just push myself harder with more and more exercise things will work better and faster. Sad to say that can be faulty male logic. Case in point --- Had a neighbor who was really into exercise and after prostate surgery he decided if 10 Kegels (as his MD suggested )were done 4 x a day were good for regaining urine control ... then doing 100 of them 4 x a day was better. Sorry to say that did not work well and had the opposite effect. Hope your friend does well with gentle Yoga in the future Dennis (ProstateCancer.net TEAM)
Guy Meredith Moderator & Contributor
 I was fortunate to be asked to participate in a study of the effects of three different modes of exercise on prostate cancer patients. I HATE exercising, but in the end appreciate the results and I will probably continue for the rest of my life. But I needed relief from the emotions, tension and depression and decided at age 76 to try full body relaxation Swedish massage. Under other circumstances, there is no way I'd ever consent to massage, but I needed something to cope and massage has proven to be a really excellent answer. Guy B. Meredith, moderator. 
1. Sue Franke Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Guy Meredith" user-id="3261432"/> I'm with you and have never really cared much for exercise. But you're right, the end results are actually true to what we've been told us all along - it's good for you in so many ways! Sounds like you found a bonus in Swedish massage. I'm glad you found that it works for you and gives you some relief. I think we all have to be willing to go beyond what we've always thought was gimmick or didn't show any results. Everyone is different - we all have different needs, emotions, and solutions. Find what works for you and go for it.
has1947 Member
Yoga is a great exercise for all ages, and it can be great for older men because there’s little pounding of the joints; a stationary bike is also good. As I mentioned on my own journey struggling though the side effects of ADT, a good structured exercise plan can make this treatment tolerable. At the gym I attend yoga is offered alone and as part of a complete course that includes tai chi, leg strength, balance ,core and stretching exercises. Look for these; they work and at most gyms the mix of exercises can be tailored to one’s needs and/or capabilities.