Yoga isn’t just for improving muscle strength and flexibility. New research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that yoga may be a safe way to reduce fatigue and improve overall health in breast cancer survivors, Fox News reports.

Women recovering from breast cancer often experience troubled sleep as result of their treatments – which can lead to increased fatigue and inflammation.

For women recovering from breast cancer, exercise is one of the best ways to lower fatigue and inflammation.  

Researchers chose to try yoga with breast cancer survivors, because it can be used with all levels of fitness and can be adapted for women with physical limitations.

Over a period of six years, researchers at Ohio State University studied the effects of yoga on inflammation, mood and fatigue levels in breast cancer. 

In the randomized controlled trial of 200 women between the ages of 27 and 76, the women followed a 12-week hatha yoga intervention. 

Immediately after the trial, the yoga group had a 41 percent drop in fatigue, and markers for inflammation were lower compared to a non-yoga control group. Researchers followed up with participants three months later and again discovered improved health measures. Women who had practiced yoga had 57 percent less fatigue and 13 to 20 percent less inflammation compared to the non-yoga group.

Furthermore, compared to traditional treatments for fatigue, inflammation and mood, yoga doesn’t have dangerous side effects.