Description/Overview:

Mind–body interventions play a critical role in integrative oncology care, particularly for pediatric patients navigating cancer treatment and its physical, emotional, and psychosocial challenges. Children and adolescents with cancer commonly experience anxiety, pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, procedural distress, and emotional dysregulation, many of which are closely linked to stress physiology and autonomic nervous system functioning (Compas et al., 2014; Porges, 2011). Yoga therapy and other mind–body approaches offer developmentally responsive, non-pharmacologic strategies to support symptom management, nervous system regulation, and health-related quality of life in oncology populations (Cramer et al., 2017; Society for Integrative Oncology [SIO], 2022). This 1 hour and 45-minute pre-conference workshop brings a pediatric perspective forward early in the SIO conference, addressing a population that is often underrepresented while offering broadly transferable clinical insights. Framed as “Find Your Inner Child,” the session invites participants to explore pediatric oncology mind–body care through both a clinical and experiential lens, emphasizing how developmentally attuned interventions foster connection, inclusion, and belonging for patients, families, and healthcare providers across the cancer care continuum. The workshop will begin with a 45-minute case-based discussion highlighting pediatric integrative oncology yoga therapy programs at two clinical centers. Presenters will provide an overview of program development, interdisciplinary integration, and implementation considerations, alongside a review of pediatric and adult oncology research and Children’s Oncology Group supportive care guidelines supporting mind–body and yoga-based interventions for symptom management. Case examples spanning preschool, elementary, middle school, adolescent, and young adult populations will illustrate how yoga therapy practices are adapted to developmental stage, treatment intensity, and psychosocial context, and how caregiver involvement supports co-regulation and family-centered care (Compas et al., 2014; Porges, 2011). The second half of the session will consist of a 60-minute experiential yoga class taught through a pediatric oncology lens and segmented developmentally. Participants will engage in an introduction modeled for preschool-aged children, breathwork practices appropriate for elementary-aged patients, movement and asana concepts designed for middle school youth, and meditation and reflective practices tailored for adolescents and young adults. Co-regulation strategies and dyadic practices reflecting real-world clinical applications for children and caregivers will be woven throughout, supporting nervous system regulation, emotional safety, and embodied belonging (Porges, 2011). The workshop will conclude with take-home tools focused on provider self-care and resilience. Participants will explore how pediatric-informed mind–body practices support healthcare professionals navigating the demands of oncology care, promoting sustainability, regulation, and shared belonging within care teams. While pediatrics serves as the primary lens, the principles explored are applicable across oncology populations and practice settings. By grounding mind–body care in pediatric oncology, this workshop offers a developmentally informed framework that can be applied across oncology populations to support symptom management, regulation, and resilience.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe pediatric integrative oncology yoga therapy program models from two clinical centers, highlighting how mind–body interventions support symptom management, nervous system regulation, and inclusion within family-centered pediatric cancer care.
2. Summarize how common pediatric oncology symptoms—including anxiety, pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and procedural distress—are influenced by stress physiology and autonomic nervous system functioning, and how yoga-based practices support regulation across developmental stages.
3. Apply case-based clinical reasoning using age-specific examples (preschool through adolescent/young adult) to adapt yoga therapy components, including breathwork, movement, imagery, meditation, and co-regulation strategies, to support symptom relief, emotional regulation, and agency.
4. Participate in and demonstrate developmentally tailored yoga practices designed to promote embodied safety, nervous system regulation, relational connection, and a sense of belonging for pediatric oncology patients and caregivers.
5. Integrate insights from program models, research, case studies, and experiential practice to support family-centered care, provider self-care, and sustainable integrative oncology practice across diverse clinical settings.

Target Audience:

This session is open to all healthcare providers, researchers, and administrative and clinical staff interested in integrative oncology and mind–body care. While pediatric oncology provides the primary clinical lens, the content is intentionally inclusive and relevant to those working across cancer populations. Participants will explore how yoga-based clinical interventions support nervous system regulation, symptom management, family-centered care, and resilience for patients, families, and healthcare providers. Attendees will leave with practical strategies applicable to personal self-care as well as clinical, educational, or experiential integration across oncology settings.