My hope is that more parents and caregivers find the benefits that yoga can offer for children with cancer.
PUBLISHED September 08, 2018
Tamera Anderson-Hanna is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Addiction Professional, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and became a Registered Yoga Teacher while coping with breast cancer in 2015. She owns Wellness, Therapy, & Yoga in Florida where she provides personal wellness services and coaching and she is a public speaker on wellness-related topics. You can connect with her at www.wellnesstherapyyoga.com.
Yoga for healing and wellness during and after cancer is not just for adults. Being a certified Yoga 4 Cancer (Y4C) teacher has not only empowered me in my own healing and wellness, but has also allowed me to help others, too. A couple of years ago, I was asked to organize and lead a yoga class for pediatric cancer survivors and their families.
Mindful breathing, yoga and stress management of great benefit in coping with a cancer diagnosis, no matter the age. Mindfulness breathing and relaxation techniques can help decrease feelings of anxiety and stress when undergoing procedures, coping with pain, and awaiting news of recent blood work or other testing. I learned that most of my pediatric peers had leukemia and I would need to use special concern when offering weight-bearing poses due to potential complications impacting bone density and strength. Medications and the leukemia itself can weaken bones. The good news is there are many ways to modify yoga for pediatric cancer survivors, including using a wall or chair for support and offering a variation of seated or supine poses.
Mindful breathing, yoga and stress management of great benefit in coping with a cancer diagnosis, no matter the age. Mindfulness breathing and relaxation techniques can help decrease feelings of anxiety and stress when undergoing procedures, coping with pain, and awaiting news of recent blood work or other testing. I learned that most of my pediatric peers had leukemia and I would need to use special concern when offering weight-bearing poses due to potential complications impacting bone density and strength. Medications and the leukemia itself can weaken bones. The good news is there are many ways to modify yoga for pediatric cancer survivors, including using a wall or chair for support and offering a variation of seated or supine poses.
No comments:
Post a Comment