Serenity Yoga Haven: Cancer Support

Serenity Yoga Haven: Cancer Support A haven where cancer patients and survivors can feel safe and connect with others who understand their journey.

Where they can learn how to combat the physical and emotional side effects of cancer treatment through yoga and other wellness activities.

02/21/2025

I hope everyone is staying warm and safe during these freezing temperatures.

Here are a few simple ways to refresh and recharge this weekend 💖

💦 Hydrate: In the colder months, we tend to reach for warmer beverages like coffee instead of water, which are known diuretics. Mild dehydration as little as 2% has been shown to intensify anxiety, tension and fatigue. PMID: 22190027

🌲Walk in nature: A new study showed that a 1 hour walk in nature decreases amygdala activity following the walk and can have salutogenic effects on brain regions related to stress. I know our current temps make it hard to get outside right now, but bundle up and get out for some snowman making fun If you can! ⛄️ PMID: 36059042, 26124129

🧖🏻‍♀️ Do some skincare: Exfoliate, moisturize or do a face mask. Pampering your skin is a great way to reduce stress and engage in self-care. It boosts dopamine and activates our touch receptors which promote relaxation.

🛏️ Wash bedsheets: Besides the health benefits of cleanliness reducing allergens, the National Sleep Foundation showed that 73% of people sleep better on fresh sheets.

📵 Unplug: Reducing screen time makes huge difference in mood, productivity and focus for the day. I’m workong toward unplugging the first and last 2 hours of the day. Screen time before bed has been shown to negatively affect melatonin production and sleep quality. Watch the news? Studies have shown watching 10 mins of negative news can negatively impact your mood 8 hours later. PMID: 23071755, 17926432.

What's your favorite way to refresh and recharge on the weekend? 💖

01/29/2025

Remember friends, your body rewards true self care. It does so by releasing more well-being hormones like serotonin, oxytocin, endorphins and dopamine.

Self-care looks differently for everyone, and that’s ok. Every day we may need or crave something a little different in order to restore YOU!

I’ve learned there are 7 different types of rest and have included them here along with a few examples 💖

✨SENSORY REST
Unplug or "digital detox"
sit in silence

✨SOCIAL REST
Balance time alone and time with others, assess relationships that aren't supportive or meaningful

✨EMOTIONAL REST
Talk to a friend, journal, self reflection and self care

✨PHYSICAL REST
Passive: napping, deep breathing, sitting
Active: Yoga, stretching walking, massage, baths

✨MENTAL REST
Meditation, affirmations scheduling breaks in workday

✨SPIRITUAL REST
Prayer, scripture,
journaling, time in nature

✨CREATIVE REST
Poetry, play, dance, paint, write

What type of rest do you need today?

This post is inspired by the science of essentials and Dr. Dalton Smith’s book "Sacred Rest". A beautiful book about the science of rest.

12/21/2024

Here are some ways to help a loved one with cancer during the holidays:

🎄 Be flexible: Be open to making adjustments to traditions, such as skipping hosting or inviting fewer people.

♥️ Offer to help: Help with tasks like shopping for gifts, wrapping gifts, or checking off items from their to-do list.

🎁 Be thoughtful with gifts: Give small, practical items that they can use now.

✨ Listen: Ask how they're doing and listen without judgment.

🎅🏼 Consider a new tradition: Start a new tradition or celebrate a holiday on a different day.

🤶🏼 Make time for self-care: Encourage them to focus on what's most meaningful to them, such as spending time with family and friends, exercising, or participating in spiritual activities.

❄️ Consider support services: There are many resources and services available, such as group therapy or peer support.

Chair yoga can help people with certain health conditions exercise without putting pressure on joints. This type of prac...
11/08/2024

Chair yoga can help people with certain health conditions exercise without putting pressure on joints. This type of practice allows you to stretch while seated in a chair, offering a gentle alternative to traditional yoga. It can also reduce the fear of falling, and help those who are not used to exercise to begin improving their strength and balance. 💖🧘🏻‍♀️💖

I’d love to connect with you if this looks like something you’d like to try. As always, free of charge. 💖🙏🏼

10/25/2024

Thank you Emily Wood for giving my the opportunity to share my personal experience with cancer, yoga, and the love project I’ve created Serenity Yoga Haven: Cancer Support
I really enjoyed this interview 😊

The full podcast episode with ‘At Home with Emily’ can be found wherever you get your podcasts. 💖

Here’s a link to the YouTube video.

https://youtu.be/-ESF2z-__mU

10/09/2024

Let’s briefly talk about stress and anxiety. When I had cancer, I experienced the most stress and anxiety when it came time to check my blood work, undergo scans, and on the days when I received chemotherapy. My anxiety and stress would become so debilitating at times it became hard to talk and even walk. I had to find ways to help me get through that time in my life when I really didn’t have the energy or will power to keep going. I had to keep going for my kids. I couldn’t give up.

I started to realize how important it was to lower my stress levels. By doing so, I was able to improve my mood and give myself the emotional strength I desperately needed in order to get me through the extreme, and challenging times. Thankfully, I found a research article talking about the ways cancer patients can reduce stress, and breath work was one of them. I came across a breathing exercise called the double breath (the physiological sigh). It consists of taking two inhales and one long exhale. This is proven to reduce CO2 levels, slow down your heart rate, and leave you feeling calmer, less tense, and more focused. You can practice the double breath (physiological sigh) at any time.

Here are the 3 simple steps.

1. Inhale a large amount of air through your nose
2. Pause, then Inhale one more time fully filling your lungs to capacity
3. Lastly, fully release the air through the mouth with a slow and controlled exhale.
4. Repeat as many times as needed.

This is one of the main breathing techniques I like to start and end my yoga sessions with. Thanks for reading, and I hope this helps you find relief. 🙏🏼

“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” ~ Maya Angelou 💖🙏🏼Yoga, breathwor...
09/22/2024

“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” ~ Maya Angelou 💖🙏🏼

Yoga, breathwork, meditation, and so on can be practiced anywhere. At our studio, park, clubhouse, community centers, your private residence, etc.

Ms. Blanche loves visiting during our private and group sessions. Our furry babies are always welcome, provided there ar...
07/24/2024

Ms. Blanche loves visiting during our private and group sessions. Our furry babies are always welcome, provided there are no allergies. 🐱🐶🐾🧘‍♀️😊

If you or someone you know has cancer or is a recent survivor and would like to try yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, and/or other wellness activities, we are here for you. Always free of charge. ♥️

Thank you for visiting my page. I have created this space in order to help those with cancer and survivors learn new way...
06/26/2024

Thank you for visiting my page. I have created this space in order to help those with cancer and survivors learn new ways to combat the many physical and mental side effects a cancer diagnosis and treatment can create. I aim to create a space where one can feel seen, heard, and part of a community. I know how scary a cancer diagnosis can be. I also know how hard cancer treatment is. I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in February of 2020. Talk about a bad day. My life as I knew it forever changed. I’m currently a survivor, and have been cancer free for 4 years now. Yoga, along with other wellness activities have really helped me heal, both physically and mentally. I can’t wait to share it all with others.

I plan to hold weekly and bi-weekly yoga sessions. Each one focusing on different chemo and radiation side effects. I will also come visit those who can’t travel and help them in their private setting.

For more information please email SYHSpringfield@gmail.com or give me a call or send a text message to 417-861-7662.

Logo by: Fated Studio
Mural by: Waxing Moon Collective

Love,

Christine ❤️

Address

Springfield, MO

Telephone

+14178617662

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Serenity Yoga Haven: Cancer Support posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Serenity Yoga Haven: Cancer Support:

Shortcuts

Share

Category