L.A., Leamington Spa
Private yoga student during chemotherapy cancer treatment
Dear Shama, I contacted quite a few yoga teachers when making my first enquiries, and to be completely honest you were the only person who came back to me and said you would be able to help, which I find quite hard to believe considering that the benefits of yoga during any kind of life-altering situation like that are fairly well documented.
As for myself, I truly believe that learning basic beginners poses & breathing exercises helped me immeasurably during my treatment last year, both physically and mentally. I feel that they (combined with traditional medical intervention) helped to keep my immune system healthy, strong, & on track – not once during my treatment was I neutropenic, which I’ve been told is quite rare. Physically, the exercises helped ease general joint pain & my digestive system, and the arm / shoulder ones were a great accompaniment to the general physio exercises I had been set to help improve the movement in my arm post surgery. I also found the short relaxation exercises you taught me invaluable in being able to mentally deal with the insomnia, which becomes part and parcel with all of the drugs.
Post treatment, I have found the general mindset that you get from yoga to be brilliant in helping to deal with day-to-day stress: in going back to work, and also having to deal with the events of the last year. My arm is still at risk of lymphoedema, and the gentle stretching that yoga encourages I have found to be the best way of helping to keep this at bay, and reducing symptoms when they start.
Lauren, Leamington Spa
Yoga During Breast Cancer Treatment
I think its wonderful that you are looking to build up these sessions, as I know from my own experience that there is just not the support around Warwickshire for this kind of thing. I contacted quite a few yoga teachers when making my first enquiries, and to be completely honest you were the only person who came back to me and said you would be able to help, which I find quite hard to believe considering that the benefits of yoga during any kind of life-altering situation like that are fairly well documented.
As for myself, I truly believe that learning basic beginners poses & breathing exercises helped me immeasurably during my treatment last year, both physically and mentally. I feel that they (combined with traditional medical intervention) helped to keep my immune system healthy, strong, & on track – not once during my treatment was I neutropenic, which I’ve been told is quite rare. Physically, the exercises helped ease general joint pain & my digestive system, and the arm / shoulder ones were a great accompaniment to the general physio exercises I had been set to help improve the movement in my arm post surgery. I also found the short relaxation exercises you taught me invaluable in being able to mentally deal with the insomnia, which becomes part and parcel with all of the drugs.
Post treatment, I have found the general mindset that you get from yoga to be brilliant in helping to deal with day-to-day stress: in going back to work, and also having to deal with the events of the last year. My arm is still at risk of lymphoedema, and the gentle stretching that yoga encourages I have found to be the best way of helping to keep this at bay, and reducing symptoms when they start.
(I’ve also re-started a pilates class which I used to do pre-treatment, but I’m finding that its often causing issues with my arm as it can be more weight-bearing…)
Karen Dodd, Company Director, Wellesbourne
I am 58 years old, female and always loved swimming and exercise but despite being active, I gained three stone in weight over a five year period. I thought I was lazy and greedy until I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I had so many clothes and shoes that I couldn’t wear. At the start of this year I began to practice Yoga with Shama in Alveston and Wellesbourne, and it has had a big impact on my weight, my shape and my health.
Before I started to practice Yoga, I had mobility problems due to pain, fatigue and insomnia. I could not work for long periods at the computer or standing due to pain. The pain began as two frozen shoulders which then lead to back pain. I had stopped doing a lot of things for fear of hurting my back. Yoga has given me the confidence to start doing all the things I had stopped doing for fear of triggering pain. I had always swam a lot and for 2 years did not swim which left me feeling weak and tired. I joined Walton Hall so that I could start practicing Yoga. And after just four classes, I began to realised I was sleeping all night, waking up earlier, I could now do the gardening and computer work without having to stop. Yoga has given me the ability to work and play in a way I did in my youth. I have always had a happy disposition and a spring in my step, but I lost that due to pain.
Yoga over the past 6 months has really healed a lot of the problems I had been having with my body. And through the education given in class, I now know that if aches and pains arise, I have the right understanding to get rid of the pain.
One of the reasons I was attracted to Yoga was to manage the challenge of my only child going off to University.I have been able to cope with the separation very well ,I know it is early days but Yoga has managed my moods through the following recent stressful events:
1 My daughter going to Uni Sept 2014
2 My business partner of 7 years resigning Aug 2014
3 Loss of revenue of about 15 k per annum Aug 2014
Although I am good in a crisis, under these circumstances I would usually have trouble sleeping due to high release of the stress hormone, cortisol. However due to Yoga and the calming effects of breathing practices and meditation I have learned, I feel my serotonin levels are higher
After Yoga I sleep soundly and wake up earlier than ever before .
I have not had the usual reactive depression to these big changes that I probably would have had in the past before I took up Yoga .
Shama is a gentle teacher and has helped me to maximise my potential within the limits of my body, its strengths and weaknesses. I had a few private lessons in the beginning to learn the practices in detail, and this gave me the confidence to attend more classes and improve my own practice. I now have much more strength, flexibility and general confidence. And regular Yoga practice has helped my health in many ways. Here are 10 health benefits Yoga has given to me:
1 Hearing
I have been diagnosed as deaf in my left ear and have impaired hearing in my right ear. I have to have hearing aids in both ears. The hearing test was taken before I was practicing Yoga. When I arrive at the Yoga practice I cannot hear: when I leave the yoga practice I can hear perfectly. I believe the alternate nostril breathing practices that we do help to clear the eustation tubes. I now feel sure that if I continue to practice Yoga, I will not have to use hearing aids anymore.
2 Double chin
My neck looks longer and slimmer and I do not have a double chin anymore.
My décolleté is more toned and I feel more confident wearing low necklines.
3 Thyroid function
Blood tests taken since I started practicing Yoga indicate that my thyroid function has improved. I can now lower my levothyroxine (thyroid medication) by 25mgs.
4 Cholesterol
My cholesterol has dropped from 7.3 to 6.1 despite the fact that my diet has remained the same. This is linked to improved thyroid function.
5 Mobility
Due to severe osteoporosis a disc in my back has caused, on occasion, an inability to walk. My back would just go and I would have to stop and rest….or walk like Max Wall. This could last one day to a week. The yoga practice has enabled me to work in the garden all day without having to stop. Twenty minutes was the most I could manage before.
6 Body tone and weight loss
I have lost weight but more importantly my shape has improved. My back had become fat and this has completely gone so my clothes hang better.
7 Feet and hands
I have shoes that I can wear again due to the effect of Yoga on my feet.
I couldn’t get my shoes on due to swelling in my feet before. And now I notice my hands have a stronger grip.
8 Posture
My posture has improved and I am free of pain in my shoulders
9 Fluid Retention
I do not retain fluid now that I practice yoga. I believe this is because it stimulates the lymphatic system.
10 Aches and Pains
I am pain free and more flexible due to the effects of yoga. It has relieved inflammation in my joints.
I now feel that my future is very positive and all these minor symptoms and health issues will continue to be supported with Yoga. Ever thankful and grateful to Shama.
Karen Dodd, company director, Wellesbourne.
Kate Findley
Businesswoman
Barford
Hi Shama
Thank you so much for helping me with my lower back problems. The exercises you showed me have really worked and I have much less trouble getting to sleep. I was really impressed with the way you assessed my weak areas and designed a programme specifically designed for me. I really enjoy your yoga classes too. I have tried yoga several times before and you are definitely the best teacher!
Regards,
Kate.
