Cancer Survivors thrive with yoga
Cancer survivors thrive with yoga
BY VALERIE BERENYI, CALGARY HERALD
CALGARY – Chilling out in an innovative yoga program for cancer survivors was the highlight of Gale McCombie’s week.
But the program, which had grown out of a small research study by a University of Calgary kinesiologist working with a local yoga instructor, was offered only at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and difficult to get into.
Now McCombie, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2007, is thrilled that the program, newly christened Yoga Thrive, is branching into the community and across Canada.
"I’ve just loved it," said McCombie, 50, of the gentle, seven-week yoga program that takes the special physical, psychological and social needs of cancer patients and survivors into consideration.
Those with cancer — as well as their loved ones–can register for Yoga Thrive classes in 14 locations around Calgary, including studios such as Yoga Shala, Danu Yoga and the Yoga Studio (north and south locations). The cost is $50 for the once-a-week program. It will also be offered at a number of locations across Alberta and is taking root in communities in B. C., Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario.
It’s based on the research of Nicole Culos-Reed, an associate professor in the faculty of kinesiology who specializes in the field of cancer and exercise. She said her program is the first large-scale, research-based yoga program for cancer survivors.
Susi Hately Aldous, a yoga instructor who founded Functional Synergy Inc., worked with Culos-Reed to create the yoga side of Yoga Thrive and help train more than 50 instructors.
"I then train the instructors in terms of what cancer looks like and what the research tells us about what yoga will do for cancer survivors," said Culos-Reed.
She said her research has shown yoga offers the same benefits as a physical activity program: reduced fatigue, improved flexibility and fitness. But given yoga’s mind/body connection, it offers even more benefits in terms of stress reduction and overall improvement of life.
Surrounded by fellow survivors, McCombie said she takes strength from the knowledge that she is not alone in her fight against cancer. "I don’t feel so isolated anymore."
