Embodied Yoga for Cancer & Wellbeing

My cancer journey

In September 2022 I was diagnosed with stage 4 “incurable” gastric (stomach) cancer. I was 57 years old at the time and had a different future for me planned than cancer had for me!

I experienced the usual roller coaster ride of being diagnosed, starting treatment and have been in treatment since. I felt very grateful that I had my yoga, meditation and body-mind practices to support me during this challenging time.

I wanted to share what supports me so dived into some training in both Lymphatics and Yoga (with Yoga Medicine) and Yoga for Cancer (with Yoga for Cancer Academy).

The training I have already completed in iRest Yoga Nidra, restorative yoga and Trauma Sensitive Yoga will support the above training well.

I am now “living with cancer”. My cancer is currently stable whilst I remain in treatments.

I bring both my skills as a yoga teacher, a pscyhologist and my lived experience of cancer to my teachings.

Why yoga for cancer?

There are many ways in which yoga, meditation and body-mind practices can benefit those undergoing a journey with cancer. This includes:

  • helping manage the stress of diagnosis, treatment and posttreatment

  • improving sleep

  • reducing pain and inflammation

  • improving mobility and strength

  • helping people find peace and acceptance with their cancer journey

  • finding some agency in a process which takes it away

  • helping with cancer fatigue

How do Yoga for Cancer classes differ from other yoga?

Yoga for Cancer classes are very similar to other types of yoga classes. The main differences are:

  • more rest and pauses during the class

  • a focus on slow, gentle movement (whilst also building strength)

  • using a trauma informed approach to increase interoception (what we feel inside) and give agency of the body back

  • more inclusion of healing practices such as restorative yoga and yoga nidra

  • a focus on the lymphatic system to stimulate the immune response

Yoga and Lymphatics for Cancer (LT health conditions) One Day Retreat

The first One Day Retreat

  • understanding the lymphatic system and how it supports our immunity

  • learning 2 lymphatic massages

  • a gentle trauma informed yoga session

  • Yoga nidra

  • Restorative yoga