
- Sensei Wendy Egyoku Nakao
Yoga Therapy is a complementary healing modality that can be incredibly supportive for individuals undergoing treatment for cancer. An individualized therapeutic yoga practice offers many tools to help manage the physical, physiological, and psychological impacts of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. There is growing evidence to support the use of yoga as a supportive practice during and after cancer treatment.
Yoga Therapy can help with:
- anxiety around diagnosis and fear due to risk of recurrence
- preparing for, or recovering from cancer related surgeries and procedures
- managing fatigue related to chemotherapy and radiation
- lymphedema
- neuropathy
- nausea
- hormone therapy side effects such as insomnia, hot flashes, and fatigue
- socio-emotional challenges related to navigating cancer treatment and its side effects
- diet and lifestyle modifications to minimize side effects
In 2022 I was given the opportunity to put theory into practice when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The rituals and skills I was learning throughout my Yoga Therapist training absolutely made all the difference as I underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Yoga continues to be the most vital supportive practice as I navigate hormone therapy and life after active treatment.
I consider it a great privilege to work with others diagnosed with cancer. In addition to offering cancer care one-on-one, I have previously worked as a program leader for Wellspring, teaching multiple weekly yoga classes for their members at their Sunnybrook location as well as through the ELLICSR survivorship program at Toronto General Hospital. I also volunteered with Gilda's Club Toronto, teaching a bi-weekly virtual yoga class.
If you would like to learn more about therapeutic yoga for cancer support, please reach out below.
I asked the leaf whether it was frightened because it was autumn and the other leaves were falling. The leaf told me, “No. During the whole spring and summer I was completely alive. I worked hard to help nourish the tree, and now much of me is in the tree. I am not limited by this form. I am also the whole tree, and when I go back to the soil, I will continue to nourish the tree. So I don’t worry at all. As I leave this branch and float to the ground, I will wave to the tree and tell her, ‘I will see you again very soon.'”
That day there was a wind blowing and, after a while, I saw the leaf leave the branch and float down to the soil, dancing joyfully, because as it floated it saw itself already there in the tree. It was so happy. I bowed my head, knowing that I have a lot to learn from the leaf.
~Thich Nhat Hanh
Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life

Please reach out if you would like to connect to learn more about my services or book a session.
Julia Ayearst (she/her)
IAYT Certified Yoga Therapist (1000hr)
Toronto, Ontario
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Ready to explore what healing your compulsive food behaviours and body image with yoga therapy could look like?
Learn more about Eat Breathe Thrive Seven Week Series and subscribe to be informed when enrolment opens.