YOGA FOR CANCER

 

One of the main reasons I chose to become a yoga therapist, was in honor of my mom, who passed away 5 years ago of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. At the time, I felt ill-equipped to fully support her through the challenging course of the disease. I chose this path so that I could learn to be of service to others with chronic conditions, in ways that I didn’t know how to before. My professional and personal experience with cancer has allowed familiarity with the illness trajectory, treatment protocol, and the unique stressors of cancer and cancer treatment. I provide yoga therapy services to assist clients through all stages of the disease process: newly-diagnosed, undergoing treatment, in recovery/remission, and for palliative care.

 

Through the course of disease, it is common to:

• Feel disempowered due to decreased independence

• Have concerns regarding your ability to take care of yourself and those depending on you

• Worry about decreased productivity and your career/job/financial situation

• Concern about the course of the disease, the treatment (and side-effects), and its impact on quality of life for you and everyone you love. 

 

A diagnosis with a terminal or chronic illness can alter the lens through which the individual views all aspects of life. 

 

Yoga Therapy can:

• Offer a different perspective; a view less blocked by the ins and outs of the disease, treatment and recovery.

• Help to prevent the physical and emotional downward spiral that can happen through the course of disease

• Help manage symptoms, including those stemming from side-effects of treatment

• Help to prevent, slow, or stop loss of strength, balance, cognitive function (chemo-brain), and independence

• Decrease pain, fatigue, stress, anxiety, and depression 

• Improve sleep

• Increase quality of life

• Restore a sense of inner power; to gain momentum in the upward battle towards health

 

 

A Note For Caregivers

 

I provide yoga therapy services to caregivers of those with a chronic condition. Caregivers often neglect their own health and wellbeing, which can lead to a host of problems including chronic pain, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. This can greatly impact your ability to care for your loved one. Yoga therapy can offer you self-care tools that will enable you to better care for your loved ones without endangering your own health. I also offer support and coping techniques for those grieving the loss of a loved one.