Yoga for Cancer
Yoga for those impacted by cancer
At the Kali Collective, we offer a specialist yoga class for those impacted by cancer. This is a safe space for those living with cancer to engage in a yoga practice, whether they are a seasoned yogi or coming to yoga for the first time after diagnosis. The main focus of the class is to help the side effects of living with cancer - physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Physically, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery can leave you with many side effects to try and navigate, which we try to antidote through the yoga practice. Some of the most frequently reported side effects are fatigue, digestive problems, loss of bone/muscle mass, joint pain and general stiffness, which we can help to address (alongside many more). Mentally and emotionally, a diagnosis can utterly consume one's life. Yoga can act as a tool to help reduce psychological distress, cultivate presence and help to tend to navigate change.
The class is a vinyasa-based class (a strong emphasis on linking movement to breath). The intention is to build bone/muscle mass and balance that may have been lost during or throughout treatment/inactivity. You will also be guided through pranayama & restorative postures. One of the most beautiful things about this class is that it can be scaled up and down, so that you can enrich the benefits, regardless of whatever stage you are currently in and however you feel on that specific day.
According to Cancer Research UK:
'Research has shown that there is strong evidence that certain ways of being active can help people with cancer:
Reduce anxiety
Improve depression
Reduce fatigue
Improve the quality of life during and after cancer treatment
Prevent or improve lymphoedema (a type of swelling caused by treatment to lymph nodes)
Improve general physical functioning.'
The class runs on Mondays from 4:00-5:00pm which is in-studio and also available to attend via live-stream. Please note - the studio is situated on the 2nd floor of the Axiom building and unfortunately, there isn't lift access. The class is also open to those caring for a family member or a friend, and it's highly encouraged to bring someone with you for support if you wish. You will need to be reasonably mobile and able to move independently. Please note, all surgical incisions must be healed before attending class (at least 6 weeks post surgery). The class is a £5, if you are financially stretched - please email us at hello@kalicollective.com so we can sign you up to practice for free. If you bring a loved one to class, they can practice for free. If you are new to the class, once you've signed up, we will email you a form to fill out to touch base with your individual situation.
We hope to welcome you to class soon. Please share these class details with anyone that may benefit.
Testimoinal:
‘I’ve practised yoga for a long time but when I became ill and got my diagnosis, I struggled a bit to attend my usual class. This was because I felt a bit weak and felt worried about not being able to do certain things and that I would hold up or disturb the class. My daughter was a regular attender at Kali Collective and Emily was just starting her cancer class. I started going regularly and often took a friend or relative with me for support. I attended in person weekly throughout my chemo; online when I was recovering from stem cell transplant and once again in person when I had recovered from the transplant. It was great attending Emily's class. She always checked how I was feeling on any given day. I was encouraged and supported to work at whatever level felt ok on that day. It felt a safe space to be and also a place where I could push myself or not, depending on how I felt. Emily was kind, expert and supportive throughout. I thoroughly recommend this class if you're at all interested to use yoga during your cancer journey.’
Leonora Coll