Practicing yoga can boost the emotional health of women battling breast cancer, according to a new report. In a study of 44 women with breast cancer, conducted by researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, scientists found that the yoga practitioners among them showed greater improvements in areas of mental health than the women who didn’t do yoga. The researchers noted that the women who practiced yoga for 10 weeks experienced a 50 percent reduction in feelings of depression and a 12 percent increase in feelings of inner peace and meaning.

“Given the high levels of stress and distress that many women with breast cancer encounter, the opportunity to experience feeling more peaceful and calm in the midst of breast cancer is a significant benefit,” said lead researcher Suzanne Danhauer.

Read Real Health’s “Get Your Zen On” to learn how to start a yoga practice of your own.