The following article formed the basis of a presentation by Connie Hawley on Yoga and Cancer given at the IYT Yoga Therapist Training Program in Hiram, Ohio.
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Connie Hawley is a certified, full-time yoga
instructor and professional workshop presenter. She has received yoga teacher
training from several yoga schools/programs: Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health,
Integrative Yoga Therapy, and the Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science &
Philosophy. Connie has been interested and involved in holistic health &
wellness for many years, even before she personally was challenged with cancer.
Connie has over 4 years experience with teaching yoga & working with cancer
patients; previously she worked as a Speech Pathologist in health care for 8
years. Connie lives in upper Michigan.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
In part I of the program, Connie presented a workshop on yoga & cancer which included basic precautions & important concepts for deeper healing. Connie shared stories from her own journey in healing from cancer and drew from her professional work with a group called Renewing Life that she facilitates. Renewing Life is a program to empower participation in healing for people with life-threatening illness.
In part II of the program Connie led the workshop
participants in a "Dance of the Free Spirit" experience. "Dance
of the Free Spirit" is a soulful, exhilarating movement program combining
dance, yoga, and spontaneous self-expression.
A FEW BASIC PRECAUTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR TEACHING YOGA TO PEOPLE WITH CANCER
Especially for those in aggressive therapy or
within a year or two.
1. CHEMOTHERAPY
· There are over 50 kinds of chemotherapy drugs (chemo) and endless combinations. Ask them about their side effects, one person on chemo may have totally different side effects/reactions than someone else.
· Chemo and radiation affects can be cumulative, so they may get progressively more fatigued etc., over time.
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Awareness for your info. Chemo is not the time to diet
for most people. (Important to maintain weight and increase protein)
2. LOW BLOOD COUNTS
Reduced Red Blood Cells, prone to light heartedness, dizziness, fatigue therefore:
· Transition slowly
. Less standing up & exertion
· Reduced Platelets, prone to increased bleeding, bruising
· Very cautious with physical assisting
· Partner yoga not advisable
Reduced White Blood Cells, prone to infections
· Have wipes available for doors
· Bring their own pillow, blanket, etc
· Partner yoga not advisable
3. FIND OUT ABOUT SENSITIVE AREAS IN THEIR BODY
Due to surgery, radiation, scars
4. THINK ENERGY CONSERVATION
· Plan for minimum energy. A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF THEIR ENERGY is being used to simply survive which can cause great fatigue.
· Conserving energy will free up more energy for healing.
5. FIND OUT ABOUT "PORTS' or surgical procedures etc They may have
a port installed in their chest so that they do not need an IV each time for
chemo or a colostomy related to surgery or complications.
· These may not be visible (vs. a laryngeal stoma that you can see). You will need to ask them so you know what movements/positions to cue them to avoid or modify.
6. SMELLS MAY MAKE THEM MORE NAUSEOUS
· May need to avoid incense, scented candles, food or beverage smells.
· Request other students not to wear perfumes, oils.
7. DROP A NOTE VS CALLING
· Send written communication, which won't
require their energy (Unless they do not
have much support).
8. MAY NEED INCREASED FLEXIBILITY WITH ATTENDANCE
When medically indicated.. I make adjustments for attendance.
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CONCEPTS THAT CAN BE IMPORTANT IN CREATING THE SPACE AND FOCUS FOR DEEPER HEALING
From my personal & professional experience
1. BASIC ABDOMINAL BREATHING
Do not underestimate the value of this alone, Breath is life
Breath awareness, putting their own hand on their belly and tell them to be patient, it can take awhile to undo inefficient breathing patterns
2. FOCUS ON BODY AWARENESS & BODY COMMUNICATION
Befriending the body (easy to have a war mentality..
me vs. my body).
Listening to the body (frequent history of overriding bodies & its needs).
Trusting their body (Many people feel their body has betrayed them).
Remembering to invite focus/awareness of what
is, working in the body, what is OK, what is supporting (Easy to get
overwhelmed and solely focused on what is not right or not working, this concept
may take time). Sending COMPASSION, acceptance, warmth to what is in need of
healing, what is uncomfortable, not at ease, etc?
3. ALLOW THEM TO BE WHERE THEY ARE & START WHERE THEY ARE
Physically - simplify, modify, people are empowered when they feel a sense
of success.
Mentally/Spiritually-ask yourself if you can accept where they are at in the grieving process? The deepest healing requires grieving. As Stephen Levine says to know joy-investigate your grief.
4. FOCUS ON RESTORATION /RELAXATION / GROUNDING
I teach a class called "The Gentlest Yoga for Healing &. Relaxation"...
we do lots of movements on the back -joint opening, somatics, gentle warm ups,
we do Chi Gung in standing, then supported resting poses, lots of visualization.
Also use 'corn bags", 'rice bags', on their feet and arms (which they love), which helps grounding, awareness, and release of tension. Lots of props, support under neck and knees. Eye pillows are very, very helpful. People make 'progress' with flexibility and strength, even though that is not the goal.
5. RESTING BETWEEN MOVEMENTS OR POSES
This greatly helps facilitate body awareness, breath awareness, energy awareness.
Resting between movements reduces the anxiety of 'time pressure' it can create a luxurious sense of time.
6. THE FOCUS IS ON " UNDOING" NOT "DOING"
Example .... You have all the water (healing energy) you need, remove the dams slowly that impede the flow of water. Find out where the leaks are. You don't need to add more water.
7. GENTLENESS CAN BE CRUCIAL FOR A LONG TIME
Someone might have completed their treatment or were found to be in remission and a common assumption is that they are able to bounce right back to their previous level of functioning. There is frequently a tendency (not always) towards 3rd Chakra problems; driven, needing to achieve or using all of one's own energy for others. Invite gentleness, softness, nurturing of the 2nd Chakra
Stillness of the 1st Chakra can help, and self-acceptance
of the 4th Chakra is very healing. Then a more natural (vs. adrenaline) energy
and power will develop overtime. First need to survive AND stay in remission.
8. SUGGESTING RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
Some people have awareness and access to an overwhelming number of resources and can be overloaded with information.
Other people genuinely may not know what is available.
Instead of saying "I found this miracle cure on the Internet for you"
or "My aunt tried this and she is cured"... you could ASK (more empowering)...
"How do you feel about the resources available to you to support your healing?"
or "You seem to have a good support system and healing team". If you
feel there is an area that you need more support or resources I may know someone
who can share some ideas with you.
OUR CULTURE IS A MORE... MORE.. MORE.... This can negate our inner healer.
HEALING CAN BE AND USUALLY IS IN OUR OWN BACKYARD.
The simplest things can help healing and quality of life. Whatever makes us
feel good increases our life force energy!
9. THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED ME THE MOST: teachers, doctors, friends, family
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· Took care of themselves first: physically, mentally, emotionally.
· Listened to me and stayed with me in the pain. Did not try to 'fix it' for me or 'cheer lead' me.
· Helped me find my own strengths.
· Were able to enable to embrace both possibilities: 'I could live' or 'I could die'.
· Realized guilt is not a healing energy.
Bernie Siegel, MD, and others have done wonderful work for cancer patients; however, some of his earlier work was interpreted as 'you cause your own cancer.' Larry Dossey, MD refers to this type of thinking as 'New Age Guilt' which can be very devastating for cancer patients and their families.
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