Yoga for Cancer

Yoga for Cancer Survivors

Home Practice DVD

Yoga Nidra for Healing MP3

Are you facing a cancer diagnosis, or know someone who is? No matter where you are on this life-changing journey, yoga can help to improve quality of life during and after treatment. I offer these free resources to all patients, care-givers, nurses and teachers who are looking for safe, effective evidence-informed yoga practices that include gentle active and restorative asana, mudra, pranayama, chanting and yoga nidra. Whether you want to work privately with me or you want to work at your own pace from home, these resources are a great starting place, especially if you are completely new to yoga.

And if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Schedule a private session (in-person or on Skype)
Purchase the home practice DVD, a customizable practice guide that includes active and restorative yoga, breathing, mudra, chanting, and guided relaxation
Download the Healing Yoga Nidra meditations that can be useful for encouraging deep relaxation and easing insomnia
Read about the Healing Yoga for Cancer Survivorship research projects
View the Cancer Resources page
Browse the free home practices, video series, blog posts and testimonials resources on the tabs below

Yoga for Cancer Patients & Survivors

Restorative Practice
Video Series
Research Protocol Practice
Blog Posts
Testimonials

Restorative Yoga & Mudras for Cancer

The healing benefits of restorative yoga are one of the many tools of self care that can be used at home for anyone who is undergoing treatment for cancer. There is no need to purchase expensive yoga props, there are many things around your home that you can use to support your body in the postures contained in this sequence are listed below. Several Mudras, or hand gestures, are also explained that create a direct link to the energetic system in the body to increase immunity and alleviate anxiety.

Props that you will need:

3 Yoga Bolsters (or bed pillows, couch cushions, rolled up blankets)
2 Blankets (choose military wool or Mexican style blankets that can be folded easily)
2 Yoga Blocks (or thick paperback books or telephone books)
Eyebag (or scarf to cover the eyes)
Yoga Mat or rug for padding under the body

Healing Yoga for Cancer Video Series

Welcome to the Healing Yoga for Cancer video series, eight sessions of yoga to help reduce common cancer treatment side effects. Please use the links below to view the handouts, audio and video recordings for each week.

Week 1: Yoga for Healing

Listen to Yoga for Healing Class (audio only)
Listen to Body Scan Meditation (audio only)
This week the video was separated into two sections: Yoga for Healing - Part I includes centering and setting the sankalpa.

Yoga for Healing - Part 2 includes the remainder of class; breathing, movement, mudras and relaxation.

Recordings made at the Cancer Support Community of the East Bay on September 25, 2013 with Cheryl Fenner Brown, PYT, E-RYT 500

Week 2: Yoga for Fatigue

Listen to Yoga for Fatigue Class (audio only class in its entirety)
Listen to Meditation (audio only)
This week the video only caught the beginning of each section.

Recordings made at the Cancer Support Community of the East Bay on October 2, 2013 with Cheryl Fenner Brown, PYT, E-RYT 500

Week 3: Yoga for Pain

Listen to Yoga for Pain Class (audio only)
Listen to Pain Meditation (audio only)

Recordings made at Piedmont Yoga on October 11, 2013 with Cheryl Fenner Brown, PYT, E-RYT 500

Week 4: Yoga for Anxiety

Listen to Yoga for Anxiety Class (audio only)
Listen to Anxiety Meditation (audio only)

Recordings made at the Cancer Support Community on October 16, 2013 with Cheryl Fenner Brown, PYT, E-RYT 500

Week 5: Yoga for Digestion

Listen to Yoga for Digestion Class (audio only)
Listen to Water Meditation (audio only)

Audio recordings made at the Cancer Support Community of the East Bay on October 23, 2013 and video recording made at Piedmont Yoga on October 24, 2013 with Cheryl Fenner Brown, PYT, E-RYT 500

Week 6; Yoga for Insomnia

Listen to Yoga for Insomnia Class (audio only)
Listen to Insomnia Meditation (audio only)

Recordings made at the Cancer Support Community of the East Bay on October 30, 2013 with Cheryl Fenner Brown, PYT, E-RYT 500

Week 7: Yoga for Mental Clarity

Listen to Yoga for Mental Clarity Class (audio only)
Listen to Mental Clarity Meditation (audio only)

Recordings made at the Cancer Support Community of the East Bay on November 6, 2013 with Cheryl Fenner Brown, PYT, E-RYT 500

Week 8: Building a Home Practice

Listen to Building a Home Practice Class (audio only)
Listen to Yoga Nidra (audio only)

Recordings made at the Cancer Support Community of the East Bay on November 13, 2013 with Cheryl Fenner Brown, PYT, E-RYT 500

Healing Yoga for Cancer Survivorship Research Protocol Practice

Blog Posts

Welcome to Healing Yoga for Cancer Survivorship, a gentle yoga program specifically designed to build breath and body awareness, increase energy, circulation and lymphatic drainage, reduce anxiety, fatigue, sleeplessness, constipation and pain for those going through cancer treatment. The sequence provides instruction on intention setting that is done at the beginning of the session; simple sound practices to focus your attention and bring you more closely into contact with your center; mudra or hand gestures to calm the mind and emotions; breathing techniques to increase prana, the vital force in your body that is helpful for healing; and a progression of yoga postures from a reclining position to sitting to kneeling to standing that will move all the joints in the body; we will finish with restorative yoga and meditation techniques that will refresh the body, mind and spirit.

Blog postings outlining the Healing Yoga for Cancer Survivorship (HYCS) series taught at the Cancer Support Community of the San Francisco Bay Area in April-June 2015.

Testimonials about Cancer Program

It's hard for me to explain how much difference you've made in my life since I joined your yoga class for people who have cancer in 2008. I have a brain tumor and my sweet husband Jamie was diagnosed with a brain tumor, Glioblastoma Multiforme, exactly one year later. Both of us attended your class at the Piedmont Yoga Center and it helped us so much. We met others struggling with cancer and observed the ups and downs of treatments.
Cheryl, you are a resource to us. There was something healthy and magical about the class. We always left with a smile and a good state of mind. Your voice calmed us down, and your assistants found a comfortable position for us, surrounded by pillows and bolsters, that was just right. You helped us take care of ourselves with your stories and the yoga movements. I always feel relaxed and high-spirited after class ... like a joyous two-year old. I feel taken care of. This is the best part of having a brain tumor.
My Jamie died in June 2010, and our son Michael started college in the fall. My goal was to live as long as I could but it was especially important for me to see Michael graduate from college. Well, Michael is right on track to graduate from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, this winter. I'm so proud of him.
You and I have been doing private sessions since 2011. We mostly focus on Yoga Nidra, the deep meditation. We meet on Monday mornings, and every week, I look forward to seeing you. Recently, I've been falling asleep during the meditation. You reassure me that the messages are still coming through to me. You are a healer to me, Cheryl, and I'll always remember your words. "If you get distracted during our meditation, listen to my voice. This will help you come back." I will never forget you. You've been my true healer. - Judith D.

I take yoga at the Cancer Support Community with Cheryl. She is very knowledgeable about yoga during cancer treatment and in recovery. She gives us pose modifications if there is some poses that are difficult to do because of limitations. I have taken yoga for a long time and Cheryl's class is perfect to take to ease back into it slowly. -Karen N.

Cheryl is awesome and the Bay Area and I will miss all she brings to the yoga room of great instruction. Thanks for all the love you bring, Namaste! - Art J.

As I've gone through chemotherapy, Cheryl's yoga class has been wonderful - it's helped me to relax and let go of my anxiety, soothed my stiff muscles, given me yoga tips that I can use at home, and provided a caring attention that I find very healing. It has been a true refuge. - Jennifer W.

The program gives you an oasis to relax - to engage in mindful rest - while at the same time giving you tools to slip into mindful rest where ever, when ever. The techniques used have greatly benefited me as I have gone through further treatment and recovery. Quantifying [the benefits] is hard -- being at peace while you have to undergo a 45 minute body scan. Finding a place within yourself to rest on a 10 hour flight home after treatment. I have very little stress or anxiety doing any of those things now that I have tools to take me to another place if needed." - Josh M.

After taking years of yoga, I was skeptical about a class for cancer patients, but this ended up being EXACTLY what I needed as I was going through chemotherapy while raising my newborn. I look forward to this class every week. It is a brief respite from the multiple stressors of my life. It is a time to get out of my head and into my body (in a nurturing, relaxing, compassionate way). The mudras and breathing exercises help create a spiritual opening for release of pent-up emotions. I feel incredibly well cared for and don't have to worry about injury or overexertion. - Michelle S.

Since I began attending the class, I needed deep rest. I had accumulated stress, and was having trouble relaxing. I was tired, too. Cheryl's class allowed me to get the rest I deserved in the present moment. I could leave all of my problems and worries outside and focus on following Cheryl's instructions for healing. Cheryl very gently and carefully teaches tools (healing tools) that can be used at home. I felt as though I was able to let go of emotional pain and negative thoughts. It was really amazing that letting go of these things was so effortless. This class gave me a place to let go and renew. I couldn't go often, but the healing stayed with me long after leaving the class. I even went through yoga withdrawal when I couldn't go. The assistants are very helpful at all times. They seem to have radar and keep an eye out for any discomfort that arises. It is very pampering to have such wonderful assistants who have the skill to assist you if you are feeling awkward or not quite right. I had no reference for mudras or yoga nidra when I first came to the class. I feel I have benefited from everything that was offered and have experienced deep healing. Once, after class, I looked in the mirror at myself after a yoga nidra session, and the whites of my eyes were no longer red and tired looking, but a true "white" as they are supposed to be when we are beaming with health. I hope that the class continues to be available for those who need it as there are less and less resources available for people who are recovering from cancer, chemotherapy or radiation. It is truly a gift of renewal and rest for the body and spirit. - Kathleen W.

It's been invaluable - not only learning the healing and gentle forms of yoga, but also I look forward to it each week. It offers respite from the hectic world of cancer treatment. After finishing treatment, I continue to train myself to relax and do the poses. The small class (sometimes only me) means the teacher and assistant can dedicate so much attention and really they both compliment each other, like a soft hug around the room. Cheryl & Sharon are gentle and compassionate. - Stephanie G

Your class was very important to getting me started on a positive road to recovery. When my second cancer was diagnosed I was totally overwhelmed and stressed. Your class was an important to me. It gave me tools to stay positive, relaxed, and introduced me to a yoga regime that has become important in my life. I now do yoga 4 times a week and am feeling stronger than I have in a very long time. Thank you. - Debbie M.