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Understanding Yoga through Knowledge and Practice


YOGA FOR CANCER:


Join therapeutic instructor Cheryl Fenner Brown for classes that blend gentle active and restorative yoga, mindful breath, and mudras which will stimulate your body’s natural healing ability. Yoga Nidra is offered the last class of the month which guides body and mind into a state of deep relaxation. This compassionate and adaptive style is appropriate for those suffering from cancer or other chronic illness and previous yoga experience is not required.

Class Times & Locations

Yoga for Cancer - A new yoga class for people with cancer will be starting on Tuesday, September 20 from 9:30 - 10:30 am at the Cancer Support Community of the East Bay at 3276 McNutt Avenue, Walnut Creek. Please call (925) 933-0107 for more details.

Healing Yoga Research Program - At this time the Healing Yoga Research Program is not being offered. I hope to secure funding for the program in 2012 and offer it at the Cancer Support Community of the East Bay where we will again offer the opportunity for a voluntary self-guided study on the healing benefits of yoga. If you are interested in bringing this program to your studio or medical facility, please Contact me.

Student Testimonials

"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.

"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 - Cheryl and the asssitants are wonderful!" -Judith D.

"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.

"I was terrified to even leave the house since the radiation treatments had left me incontinent. I now am healing and have less emergencies." -Ron T.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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