Fish pose opens up the heart and since the heart is connected to your lymphatic system, which is your central immune system, these glands are stimulated in this yoga posture. In Fish pose, you are opening your rib cage, lungs and upper back, therefore opening yourself to more love.
Gentle or restorative yoga poses can be very healing if done with care and awareness. Once you receive clearance from your doctor to begin exercise, a gentle or restorative yoga practice may be very healing in stretching the area of the incision, the calming down of the stress attached to the surgery as well as bringing the ROM, (range of motion) back to the entire area of the chest.

This pose benefits the student with a sense of deep relaxation, inner calm,and of being grounded. More benefits include:
Benefits
- Quiets the mind quickly
- Promotes lymphatic drainage of breasts and pectoral muscles
- Post surgical benefits of reducing fibrous adhesions and scar tissue
- Allows the shoulder blades to feel supported comfortably
- Spreads the clavicle, relieves pressure on brachial plexus (network of nerves)
- Stretches and expands the pectoral muscles
- A large heart opener that frees the breath
- Stretches the deep hip flexors (psoas) and the muscles (intercostals) between the ribs
- Stimulates and stretches the belly muscles and front of the neck
- Strengthens the muscles of the upper back and back of the neck
- Tones the front of your neck and your abdominals
- Relieves tension in your neck, throat, and shoulders
- Improves posture – has therapeutic effect on rounded-shoulders, asthma, spasms in the bronchial tubes, and other respiratory issues
Instructions
- Use a generous amount of props to support this wonderful pose.
- Start with a folded blanket under your hips, and blocks (side-by-side) or bolster under your upper spine, and another pillow, bolster or folded blanket for your shoulders. The goal is to feel your heart open and your chest lifted.
- Keep your legs close together and don’t let your feet flop out.
- Remain conscious of the pose, and especially of your breath.
- Play around with supporting props. Make sure each prop feels perfect.
- If you want to fully express the pose; bring both arms overhead and extend in both directions.
- This is a pose that can be sustained for 5/10 minutes.
- When releasing out of the pose, point the toes mightily and come up with a lifted chest (if possible).
- Once up flex your feet and hang forward to release the backbend effects.

Try Breast Cancer Yoga’s extra gentle yoga DVD for breast cancer recovery and lymphedema management.

Hi Dawn Great article Thank you!! Linda
On Jan 2, 2017 6:11 AM, “Breast Cancer Authority” wrote:
> Breast Cancer Authority Staff posted: ” Fish pose opens up the heart and > since the heart is connected to your lymphatic system, which is your > central immune system, these glands are stimulated in this yoga posture. In > Fish pose, you are opening your rib cage, lungs and upper back, therefore > o” >
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