Supported Bridge Legs Extended Yoga Pose For Breast Cancer

By: Diana Ross, E-RYT 500 Co-Founder of Breast Cancer Yoga.

Supported Bridge – Legs Extended is a great pose to lessen stress and mild depression. Helps with post-surgical reduction of fibrous adhesions and scar tissue. Opens up the chest and ribs, massages the spine and frees the breath. This stretch is wonderful for creating an internal calm.

Benefits

Opens chest, ribs, shoulders and psoas (major & minor) muscles, located along the lumbar region of vertebral column
Facilitates healing post-surgical adhesions and scar tissue
Encourages reverse blood flow when legs elevated
Supplies blood to brain by way of mild inversion
Promotes a deep sense of feeling grounded
Facilitates parasympathetic relaxation response
Promotes abdominal breathing
Decreases stress hormone levels
Lessens excitatory neurotransmitter activity
Relieves depression and decreases anxiety

Instructions

Use two bolsters, one parallel under the body and another rectangle bolster, folded blanket or yoga blocks in horizontal position at the wall (for feet to rest on).
Begin sitting forward facing the wall on first parallel bolster, then place feet on the bolster with knees bent.
Lower shoulders down to ground comfortably. Now extend feet to wall over bolster, blanket or block. The feet can be at the wall, either touching or separated.
Keep the legs active, slightly rotating them inward and then lengthening through the legs to the feet. A yoga belt or a blanket wrapped around legs can be used so they don’t open apart. Arms rest to side with palms facing upward. Option: arms extend overhead holding onto wrist, forearm or elbows.
Close your eyes and let there be a soft internal gaze.

To experience the benefits of yoga for breast cancer, it is essential that you begin with simple, gentle yoga movements. You should also consult a doctor before you begin practicing yoga. It is also necessary that you follow a yogic diet that consists of a mainly vegetarian diet to enhance the benefits of yoga.

About Diana Ross: E-RYT 500 restorative yoga teacher, survivor that cares and founder of Breast Cancer Yoga. Diana is making a difference with Breast Cancer Yoga therapeutic products designed to support you emotionally and physically during breast cancer . We want to give you the attention and personal service you need so please email us at info@breastcanceryoga.com if you have questions.
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