According to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, “Breast cancer patients who do yoga tend to enjoy better health, less fatigue and experience less daytime sleepiness.”
The Circle Yoga Cancer Recovery Program specifically supports women undergoing and recovering from cancer and its treatment. The Circle Yoga Cancer Recovery Program consists of gentle yoga poses, along with breathing techniques, meditation, restorative yoga poses and Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation or yogic sleep) designed specifically for students coping with cancer. As part of the Cancer Recovery Program, we offer Yoga for Women Cancer Survivors, taught by Amy Dara Stoltz. This weekly class is donation-based and participants can attend for free or pay what they can afford. We also offer a Yoga for Breast Cancer Recovery Program for interested individuals and groups. This program was developed in consultation with local area breast cancer physicians, physiotherapists and other specialists. For more information on this program, call Circle Yoga at 202-686-1104 or you may contact Karen Soltes at karensoltes@gmail.com or jillminneman@gmail.com.
Yoga for Cancer Recovery can help students:
- Regain strength and flexibility
- Stimulate lymph flow
- Prevent osteoporosis
- Manage menopausal symptoms, weight gain, neuropathy, and other side effects caused by surgery, chemotherapy, and/or
radiation therapy - Improve the ability to cope with stress
- Increase mental focus
- Help re-discover sense of well-being and joy
Here’s what some of our students have to say about our class:
Between the yoga instructors and fellow students, I was in a supportive and caring environment. I was among people who could relate to, or simply cared, about my journey toward recovery. When I started, everyone in the class was in various stages of recovery. It became a support group of sorts.
The instructors modify yoga poses for students with post-surgical or radiation discomfort, those who are at risk of lymphedema, or those who simply have challenges with flexibility.
I had even more confidence in the instructors because of their ongoing consultation with a physical therapist who specializes in lymphedema and working with breast cancer patients.
The most encouraging thing is learning that I can increase my strength in the affected arm and incorporate more weight-bearing poses in time. So far, that is the course I am following and it is working out.
We receive great instruction on the use of props to enhance our ability to perform various poses.
The Yoga Nidra and breathing exercises, which are part of every class, are also very calming and restorative.
–Yoga student, age 49.
Jill and Karen were so supportive in so many ways. It was clear that they both had done a lot of research on the do’s and don’ts of weight-bearing exercises and stretches for women who have had treatment for breast cancer. The team teaching allowed for individualized attention during the poses, and the supportive environment allowed for sharing of tips on managing the effects of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. I joined the class toward the end of my treatment, and it was rejuvenating. I felt as if Jill and Karen’s class jumpstarted my return to a mind and body fitness routine after some really tough months of treatment. And having been at Circle Yogi for a couple of years before my diagnosis, it felt really, really good to be back.
–Yoga Student, age 35
Winner of the 