Yoga After Lumpectomy: When Can You Return to the Mat?

After undergoing a lumpectomy, the decision to return to yoga can be a delicate balance of healing and caution. Here’s what the community on Reddit had to say about this challenging situation.

Summary

  • Healing post-lumpectomy requires patience and listening to the body’s signals.
  • Doctors often advocate for a conservative approach to prevent re-injury.
  • Returning to yoga too early could pose risks to the recovery process.

The Importance of Timing

Many users emphasized the significant role that timing plays in returning to yoga after a lumpectomy. Velours shared their experience of needing 3 months to feel completely pain-free post-surgery, highlighting the importance of allowing the body ample time to heal.

Doctor’s Orders

Cyclespersecond and Ok-Amoeba-8758 both echoed the sentiment that doctors typically recommend a 6-week hiatus from yoga post-lumpectomy. Cyclespersecond detailed their journey of only doing lower body exercises in the initial weeks, showcasing the gradual approach necessary for a safe return to yoga.