I'm so excited Krista to share with you my experience from my Oncology Yoga training earlier this month.
It was a weekend full of information and emotion.
We heard from incredible doctors, social workers, and other practitioners in the field who gave us insight into what it's like for people dealing with cancer. From the surgeries to the radiation, from breast cancer to colon cancer.
We learned about the gambit of emotions that a person may go through at all the various stages of their cancer from diagnosis to hospice.
And we shared various yoga practices that can benefit those with cancer from a standing downward facing dog to deep breathing.
It was intense and at times heavy. I felt as though I spent the weekend in the cancer world. Not only through the doctors and the trainers but also from the other teachers many of whom have dealt with their own challenges of cancer.
I had 3 major take aways from the weekend.
First, I got a deeper understanding of how valuable yoga is to people dealing with cancer... at any stage of their diagnosis and healing.
I know from many of my own students who have received a diagnosis and have had to have treatments and surgeries how incredible their existing yoga practice has been for them throughout the entire process.
But so many people only come to find yoga only after having to deal with cancer. And it can offer them so much comfort and support emotionally. As well as the physical healing when fighting such an invasive disease.
People with cancer NEED yoga because it absolutely can make a difference.
My second aha moment came with the case studies that were discussed and presented from the 15 yoga teachers there to learn. I discovered that my current gentle and chair yoga classes AS THEY ARE are excellent for students with cancer. I learned in this training that my classes are really no different than classes specifically labeled as oncology yoga.
There certainly are modifications that are important depending on someone's point in the journey but my classes already provide space for those variations. They already include breath work and meditation. They are already slow and gentle and focus on mindfulness. All of these qualities are the important aspects of teaching an oncology yoga class.
It made me happy that intuitively my classes can already provide support for those with cancer.
Lastly, I was really encouraged to see the local medical community embracing gentle yoga as a necessary "key to success" for those dealing with cancer. Medical doctors, surgeons, and physical therapists who presented that weekend all recommend yoga as a part of their protocol. Not only for helping the physical body to heal but also for helping to deal with the stress and emotional challenges of such a diagnosis.
It's been a long time coming. I think the combination of evidence-based research and their own anecdotal experience has lead them to preach... yoga, yoga, yoga.
Now what?
I'd love for you to learn about the organization that provided this training. It is the Christina Phipps Foundation. Christina was a yoga teacher who was diagnosed with cancer. She recognized her ability to heal and deal with the process seemed better as a result of her yoga practice. So she began to offer free yoga classes to students with cancer. Years later when she passed, her family carried on her legacy.
Go to their website. From there, find their FaceBook and Instagram pages and YouTube channel. Like them. Share them. Let others know about their work and their efforts. This is a valuable way to support what they are doing and helps others in need find their classes.
Locally, Kim Friedman is currently offering FREE Oncology Yoga Classes at Advent Health in Daytona Beach. Kim is amazing and has been spearheading this work in our local community.
She offers an in person class on Thursdays at 9:15 am. She also offers an online class on Tuesdays at 7 pm. So you and anyone you know, even if they aren't local, can participate. There is another certified instructor who offers a zoom class from Georgia on Thursdays at 5:30 pm. If you or someone you care about is looking for a class I encourage you to check out the calendar page of their website for a complete list of classes offered. I expect this list to continue to grow as new certified instructors create new ways to serve.
As for me, I'm working with the foundation's director to help spread the word about their efforts. I've learned a lot about marketing and social media over the years and they could really use some support there. I also hope to add some new videos to their YouTube channel which everyone will have access to.
And I will continue to offer my Gentle and Chair Yoga classes that are suitable for those with cancer. I hope to help those with cancer find classes like mine and Kim's and the other Christina Phipps Foundation classes. I want anyone dealing with cancer to know that yoga is an answer, a support, a gift during a truly challenging time. But a gift that can offer benefits for life long after a diagnosis.