Radiation, Breathing, and Yoga

Last night, at the Wellness Community Benefit Dinner, I sat next to a woman who works at a manufacturer of radiation software and machines (which apparently cost between $1.5-$10 Million dollars a piece). She spoke about a fascinating new way they are targeting tumors in radiation, called respiratory gating. The goal of radiation therapy is to pinpoint and zap a tumor site, all while sparing healthy tissue around it. But normal breathing can cause this process to be difficult, so patients are asked to hold their breath while the radiation is delivered.

A patient must have relaxed, controlled breathing to qualify for this type of radiation. This is where yoga comes in. One of the five principles of yoga is pranayama or breathing exercises which promote proper breathing. With the right practice, even at home, someone can improve their breathing practice and learn to more easily hold their breath. Another wonderful application of yoga therapy.