Kate Binnie, a therapist who is writing her dissertation on yoga, pain and palliative care discusses how mindful yoga can help patients manage their breathlessness. 

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Many palliative care patients experience breathlessness which leads to physical and mental problems in their care. Binnie has found that mindful yoga, which focuses on self-acceptance rather than self-improvement can help patients stay in control of their breathing. 

Mindfulness is a secularized practice with its roots in Buddhism and is described by its founder Jon Kabbat-Zinn as “paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.”

Binnie has seen great improvement in patients after working with yoga and mindful breathing techniques in the hospice. 

Awareness of held body positions and muscles (tight shoulders, collapsed chest) is cultivated and reversed and simple exercises, suitable for even the most disabled patient are taught and practiced each week in order to release and strengthen primary and secondary respiratory muscles.

Learn more about Kate Binnie’s use of mindful yoga in the hospice here.