Yoga for Cancer Patients: Support & Wellbeing in San Marino
San Marino is expanding support for cancer patients with a new yoga program at the State Hospital, beginning April 7th. The initiative, dubbed “Yoga for Well-being,” aims to complement traditional cancer therapies by addressing the emotional and psychological needs of patients alongside their physical treatment.
The program will offer two weekly sessions, held on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, in the hospital’s “The Stork” room. The space has been made available through a collaboration between the hospital and the San Marino Oncology Association, signaling a commitment to “the humanization of care” within the nation’s healthcare system.
According to Maria Grazia Angeli, President of the San Marino Oncology Association, the yoga sessions are intended to provide a “protected space” for patients to find respite, engage in gentle movement, and connect with others. “We feel a strong responsibility to be close to people not only from a healthcare point of view, but also from a human and emotional point of view,” Angeli stated. The association is handling registration for the program.
The initiative has received the patronage of the Secretariat for Health, underscoring its alignment with national health policies. ISS Director Claudio Vagnini emphasized the importance of integrating mind-body therapies into modern healthcare. “Modern healthcare cannot be limited to clinical therapies only,” Vagnini said, adding that activities like yoga can contribute to a patient’s overall well-being and ability to cope with illness.
Vagnini drew on past experiences to highlight the benefits of adapted activities, noting that when properly coordinated with clinical pathways, they can improve patients’ perceived well-being and the overall hospital experience. He described the collaboration with the San Marino Oncology Association as an example of how partnerships between institutions and volunteer organizations can enhance healthcare services and create a more welcoming hospital environment.
Recent reporting highlights the growing recognition of mind-body therapies, such as yoga and Qigong, as valuable tools in cancer care. Breast Cancer.org notes the increasing use of these therapies to improve quality of life for patients. A New Orleans yoga instructor currently battling cancer has also publicly advocated for prioritizing well-being during treatment, urging others to “treasure every day.” Yoga therapy, as defined by UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, offers a tailored approach to using yoga practices to address individual health needs.