Yoga for Cancer and Chronic Illness

The YCat yoga program is a slow, gentle and conscious yoga practice for women newly diagnosed, in treatment, pre/post op or in recovery.  Yoga Postures and movement activates the stress receptors in the muscles.  This can increase range of motion and improve blood flow to these areas.  Yoga initiates the relaxation response and brings balance to the nervous system promoting healing in the body as tissues, organs and systems receive nourishment from the improved blood flow.  We encourage you to start where you are and work gently from there, knowing and honoring the body's limits and respecting its needs.

YCat is based in the Integral Yoga tradition and the teachings of Swami Satchidananda. A pioneer in Yoga as a complement to medical care, Swami Satchidananda’s students have created integrative and lifestyle change programs. “For decades, Integral Yoga has been introduced into medical and therapeutic settings through programs such as Dr. Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease.” And  YCat founder Jnani Chapman.

Benefits of Yoga during Cancer:

~ activates stretch receptors in the muscles

~ increase range of motion and flexibility in joints and muscles

~ improves blood flow

~ initiates relaxation response

~ can promote healing in the body as tissues, organs and systems receive nourishment from the improved blood flow

~ increases energy

~ increased ability to perform activities of daily living

~ decrease pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression

~ increase sleep

Lymphedema is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the interstitial tissue that causes swelling, most often in the arms and or legs, and occasionally in other parts of the body.  Lymphedema can develop when lymphatic vessels are missing, impaired or when lymph vessels are damaged .

Unlike the circulatory system which is a pumping system that moves blood through the vessels, the lymphatic system relies on the body’s movements to circulate lymph. The deep diaphragmatic breathing and simple repetitive movements of the hands, arms, neck, torso, and hips that are involved in many forms of yoga all help the lymph to flow optimally. Yoga also helps to increase range of motion and strength, which can help to counter the impact of lymphedema.

 An Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant is someone trained to support you in making lifestyle changes that improve your emotional and physical well-being.  During your consultation with Jamie, you will discuss your current daily routine, diet and lifestyle and then Jamie will create a plan to help you find balance in your life.  By finding your unique constitution (dosha) and finding your current imbalance, we can create a plan that is easy and works for you.

Each private yoga class is tailor-made to your unique body and mind.  Each class is dedicated to how you are feeling and the benefits you would like to achieve.  In the privacy of your own home, I will help you create and maintain a healthy and safe home yoga practice. 

My private yoga sessions are tailored for:

• Stress Relief
• Chronic Pain
• Cancer and Chronic Illness
• Prenatal Yoga
• Postnatal Yoga

Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India.  The word yoga means “to yoke,” or “to unite”. The practice aims to create union between body, mind and spirit, as well as between the individual self and universal consciousness.  Each class consists of pranayama (breathwork), asana (postures) and meditation.

 Ayurveda, a natural system of medicine, originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning "science or knowledge". Thus, Ayurveda translates to knowledge of life. Based on the idea that disease is due to an imbalance or stress in a person's consciousness, and life that has manifested into disease or illness.  Ayurveda encourages certain lifestyle interventions and natural therapies to regain a balance between the body, mind, spirit, and the environment.