Yoga and Somatic Movement for Cancer Survivors

Cancer touches all of us, directly or indirectly. It is considered an epidemic of our time. Because of tremendous advances in research and technology, the predominant focus within the medical profession is on the disease and its treatment; the body as a whole, unfortunately, is often the last area to receive attention. Functions as simple and elementary as moving and breathing, tend to be taken for granted.

As a fitness professional and yoga therapist, I was naturally drawn to explore the implications of this shortfall. After witnessing the debilitating effects of cancer and its treatment on the body, I committed to the study of exercise techniques specifically devoted to cancer patients and survivors, certifying as a Cancer Exercise Specialist. As a result I created my own exercise program that addresses these neglected needs.

I call this program “Unfolding.” It consists of gentle yet profound movement techniques from my teaching. The exercises combine the precision and alignment of yoga, the core-strengthening methods of fitness, and the nonlinear, expansive nature of dance. It is a method of exercise designed to persuade the body to transcend perceived limitations and to investigate many different planes of movement in a safe, joyful, yet challenging way. 

The goal of the program is unfolding—that is, releasing, unraveling, unwinding, peeling away layers and opening up the heart, connecting with those deep potentials that were suspended or put on hold by diagnosis and treatment. Unfolding permits a shift from constriction to expansion, a cathartic release of healing emotion, even laughter.

If you would like to read an article I wrote in A Womans Health, follow this link; http://awomanshealth.com/restoring-your-body-after-breast-cancer/

My classes at the hospital have been on hiatus since March of 2020. I am not sure when and if they will ever be reinstated. However, I am offering private and group sessions. If you are part of a Cancer Support Group or would like some one-on-one classes, please contact me and we can get started.