Trends: Yoga Helps People Fighting Cancer

By Julia Crowley First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Yoga has become extremely popular to tone the body and get in shape. But the newest trend uses yoga to heal the body and soul.

Denise Jones just attended her second class. "The first time I was nervous and apprehensive," says Jones. I wasn't sure what I was getting into. I had never done yoga before. But after the first class I was really excited."

Denise didn't attend the class to loss weight or learn specific poses. She goes to yoga as way to fight breast cancer. "Cancer was hard on me," says Jones. I was in the hospital twice and was very rundown. With the yoga, its just a good feeling to have your strength back."

As a one year survivor, Jones attends the Yoga for Breast Cancer class. The point of the class is to help those fighting cancer or cancer survivors feel better both physically and mentally.

Christina Phipps offers the class for free. And the Cobalt Moon Studios allows Phipps to hold the class there free of charge.

As a cancer survivor and yoga instructor, Phipps knows specific moves to help with their healing after surgery and chemo.

The stretches and poses are simple and often times lying down, leaning against a wall or sitting in a chair. This helps meet everyone's strength level.

"It's very calming," says Phipps. "We do many restorative poses that help us to let go and relax. Often times with cancer, we just keep going and try to act well. But this class gives us a time to relax and be at peace."

Many stretches are specifically designed to help with tightness and soreness from a mastectomy, lumpectomy or radiation.

The 1.5 hour class isn't just about yoga. The ladies get a chance to talk about their treatment, their worries and laugh with each other. "We also support each other," says Jones. "Its like we all have something in common and we all feed off of each other, give each other support and ideas."

Phipps is now expanding the class to offer it to people fighting any type of cancer.

It's the third Tuesday of every month. Class space is limited so people should call ahead before coming to a class. You can call Phipps at 904-631-8173. The Cobalt Moon Studio is located at 217 1st Street in Neptune Beach.

But you don't have to have cancer to attend yoga classes for a greater cause. Some yoga studios are now donating money from certain classes to charities.

Yoga Fusion of San Marco offers the "Solid Citizens" class on Fridays at 6 p.m. All of the proceeds from the class go to charities. For the month of October the money will be given to breast cancer charities in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Yoga Fusion of San Marco is located at 1630 Hendricks Avenue, across from Panera Bread. The phone number is 904-306-9800.

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