How Cancer Changed My Teaching

I never thought that I needed to be in a room with other people who had also been diagnosed with cancer, but there I was, June of 2016 just 5-weeks post surgery #1, in my first @yoga4cancer oncology yoga class with other cancer survivors.

I was already a yoga teacher and my arrogance in that moment was off the charts, and was soon to be humbled, schooled and transformed by the entire experience.

While we were all in table top position, the teacher instructed the class to lift one hand, and place it behind our head. Such a simple ask caused me to laugh right away, embarrassed that my range of motion had been so compromised from cancer surgery— knowingly ashamed that I was unable to do THAT.

But I went through the motions anyway and was amazed.
I really couldn’t touch the back of my head, BUT as I lifted one hand in attempt, what I did come to realize was that the rest of my body was just as it had been pre-surgery, aligned and strong, feeling familiar???

My legs, back and the arm that was supported by the hand on the floor were all supporting me without issue.
The details of that moment poured gasoline on the fire that this seemingly small experience and discovery has had on my healing. It was less about the physical practice it was more about the foundation in the

1- safe environment I was in
2- diverting of low expectations
3- emotional + psychological component
4- effort + action of my showing up
5- attention to what was working + strong

Yoga is a tool. Yoga for health. Yoga for anxiety. Yoga for strength building, mentally, emotionally and physically. Each part of the 8-Limb practice that had been in place making the difference in my life practice providing context and relevance for my living healthy. Before, during and after my cancer experience, and in the structured tenets paramount to me, and in all of the classes that I’ll continue to teach because when the brain and the body are too rigid, or unable, the supports that you have strategically put in place to support your spirit — do prevail.