February 27, 2019 – Cancer can be taxing on the body and mind. From
receiving the initial diagnoses to recovering from treatment, cancer is
stressful, physically and mentally, for the patient and their loved ones.
Past and current cancer care patients in our community now have the opportunity
to participate in an activity that may help reduce stress and provide
physical and mental health benefits through a free yoga class.
Southeast Georgia Health System is offering the free yoga class on Monday
mornings at 10:30 a.m. in the Kemble Conference Room, located at 3011
Kemble Ave.
Registered yoga instructor Lenore Hervey, Ph.D., RYT-200, teaches the class
in partnership with the Christina Phipps Foundation (CPF). The Foundation
provides specialized training to experienced yoga instructors, enabling
them to guide cancer patients, survivors and others who experience range
of motion and pain limitations through a healthy, stress-relieving exercise program.
Initially, the focus of the Foundation was on breast cancer, but CPF’s
certified instructors are experienced in working with all cancer patients
with range of motion or pain limitations, regardless of their source.
Training is conducted by physicians and other health care and yoga professionals.
Hervey completed the CPF training, and in exchange for the training, teach
the one hour class, once a week, free of charge.
“Cancer treatment and recovery is often a very stressful time,”
explains Heather Lambert, LCSW, social worker, Southeast Georgia Health
System Cancer Care Center. “Gentle yoga tailored for cancer patients
and survivors is a great way to improve not only emotional well-being
but also physical well-being.”
Prior yoga experience is not required to participate. “The positions
we do in this class are not hard,” explains Hervey. “Yoga
poses are performed with the support of a chair to aid in stability, if
needed, and we work with each person to suggest modifications based on
what they can do. It is not like the yoga you see in the gym.”
Sharon Davidson has been attending the class for several months and says
the class is a valuable opportunity to those in the community. “As
a breast cancer survivor, I was delighted when I found out this class
was offered,” says Davidson. “The yoga poses we do are not
stressful on my body. I feel better, more relaxed after the class.”
Special yoga attire is also not required. “We suggest the attendees
wear comfortable clothing that allows them to move and stretch,”
explains Hervey. “They can bring their own yoga mat or use one of
the mats provided.”
Barbara Poloncic, who attends the class regularly, hopes others in the
community will come try the class. “Yoga can help you find balance
and peace during a very stressful time,” encourages Poloncic. “When
you are doing a yoga pose, you are focused on the poses and not your cancer
or situation. Plus, it’s nice to do this in a group setting. It’s
good to have the support.”
For questions or for more information about the class visit
sghs.org/free-yoga or call 912-466-5142.