Posts In: hatha yoga

Yoga may not help your body fight cancer but it can help you cope with the emotional, physical, and mental stress of receiving treatment. From the moment you’re diagnosed, you’ll find that yoga has many surprising benefits that can help you, and those around you, make it through this challenging time.

Cancer affects many individuals and families. According to the CBC, almost one in two Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and this can have a significant impact on their lives and the lives of their family members. While more than half of people with cancer will recover, it’s often a long, difficult road.

If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, it’s important for you to have a strong support system, including family, friends, medical professionals, and more. It’s helpful to keep your spirits high and your mental health strong, and yoga is a powerful resource for that. Yoga has a number of benefits that can reduce fatigue and stress, and can help enhance overall quality of life.

The Research on Yoga and Cancer

The American Cancer Society states that yoga can help relieve some of the symptoms linked to cancer and other major illness such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, and more.

If you have cancer, what might you get out of a yoga class? Research suggests you may feel the following:

• Lower fatigue: Research indicates you may have more energy the more classes that you attend.
• Reduced stress: You may feel your mood is more stable, less depressed, and less stressed.
• Better movement: Yoga keeps you limber and can help your stiff and sore body recover from hospital stays.
• Fall asleep more quickly: Research indicates that if you have cancer and suffer from insomnia, yoga can help you fall asleep faster.
• Lose weight: If you lose weight while doing yoga, you may have a lower chance of cancer recurrence.

Along with these benefits, you’ll also experience the benefits of other yoga practitioners, such as lower cortisol, higher oxygen levels in the blood, increased flexibility, and much more.

Adjusting Yoga for People with Cancer

Cancer and cancer treatments may have affected your mobility, strength and energy levels to the point you think you can’t participate in yoga. Don’t fret—you can. You may want to start with our gentler yoga classes, such as Hatha Yoga and Restorative Yoga.

Restorative yoga is an excellent option as every posture is supported by blocks, blankets, straps and eye pillows. It does not take a high degree of physical strength to participate in. You’ll still see the emotional and mental benefits of yoga and feel your stress melt away.

That being said, any yoga class can be adjusted for those with cancer. If cancer keeps you from bending over without pain, moving your arm in a certain way, or some other restriction, our skilled and compassionate yoga instructors can adjust the class so you can still participate without pain.

Sign up for our yoga classes today, or reach out to us for more information or questions. We are here to help!

You’ve probably seen adorable photos and gifs on the internet where a mom is striking a yoga pose and her kids are copying her in the background. At Absolute Pilates, we find those photos and gifs inspiring. Yoga can, and should, be an activity that the whole family participates in. While yoga might traditionally be more popular among women, everyone can find a type of yoga that suits their abilities and challenges them.

At Absolute Pilates, we offer classes for all ages—from young children to seniors. Here’s how your family can enjoy and get the most out of each class.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha style yoga is gentle. During a Hatha class, you’ll focus on relaxation and breathing while trying basic poses. This is the best type of class for any of your family members to try if they are beginners. Seniors will find that this class isn’t too physically challenging and young children won’t be pushed beyond their limits. Everyone will benefit from:

• A calmer nervous system
• Higher energy levels or vitality
• More flexibility and balance
• More strength

Slow Flow and Strength Yoga

Though we call it “slow flow”, this type of yoga is still “yang” or active yoga. It focuses more on building strength with rhythmic, repeated movements. The adults in your family who are looking to build strength may enjoy slow flow yoga. Teenagers with a lot of energy may also enjoy this type of yoga over others. Overall, it’s a more engaging, challenging activity.

Additionally, seniors and those with injuries or physical limitations may find that slow flow yoga improves their functional movement. Beginners can join this class, but it also challenges those who already know some yoga too. If you’re looking for your next yoga challenge, this could be it.

Restorative Yoga

Every pose you take during a restorative yoga class is supported by props, such as blankets, sandbags and eye pillows. This class is more inward focused and helps heal the body, mind and soul. Anyone can achieve the poses because they are supported and the class offers a wide range of benefits.

These benefits include:

• Reducing stress hormones in the body
• Lowering blood pressure and heart rate
• Decreasing chronic pain and discomfort
• Increasing blood flow and oxygen levels

If any of your family members need an escape from their busy lives, this is an excellent class to start with. You’ll feel peaceful, patient, and rejuvenated after each class.

Meditation and Yin Yoga

If yang yoga is active, yin yoga is receptive and calm. In this class, we start with a half hour of meditation, for focus and relaxation. Then we do an hour of yin yoga, which is mostly seated poses that target the deep muscles and connective tissues in the body.

This type of yoga is also very accessible to everyone in the family. Any child who enjoys their quiet time will like this yoga. Older family members won’t feel outpaced or challenged beyond their ability as every pose is supported.

Yoga at Absolute Pilates

Do you have concerns about any of your family members joining our yoga classes? Let us know ahead of time and our skilled, compassionate yoga instructors can make the class more accommodating to their specific needs.  Contact us today for more information about the styles of yoga we offer!