The Important Value of Female Relationships in Recovery

by Diana Ross, E-RYT 500, Certified KaliRay TriYoga

Women unlike men connect with each other differently. They can provide a support system during the most difficult times of stress. Women help each other.

There are many obstacles that face women with cancer, for example the lack of family supp or performing daily activities. Reduced employability and earning capacity can create great stress. Surgeries or treatments can further complicate body image, thus resulting in feeling less attractive, and may even cause breakups. For women, one of the best thing they can do is nurture their relationships with their girlfriends or join support groups. Married men on the other hand are known to have better recovery times when ill.

Kathleen O’Keefe-Kanavos of Surviving Cancerland: The Psychic Aspects of Healing shared this commentary which was so tale telling. “On a physical level, quality “girlfriend time” helps to create more serotonin - a neurotransmitter which combats depression and creates feelings of well being. Women share feelings whereas men often form relationships around activities. Rarely do men sit down with a buddy and talk about how they feel in regards to certain things or how their personal lives are going. Men talk about their jobs, sports, cars, fishing, hunting, or golf but not their feelings?”

Women share from their souls with their sisters, mothers, and friends. Spending intimate time with a friend is as important to good health as jogging or working out at a gym. We tend to think when we are “exercising” we are doing something good for our bodies, and when we are hanging out with friends, we are wasting our time — not true. The truth is our failure to create and maintain quality relationships with others is as dangerous to our physical health as smoking! So every time you spend time with a pal, just congratulate yourself for doing something good for your health! Studies have shown time-and-time again recovery is faster and of higher quality when friendships are formed. Women with cancer are better able to deal with their disease when supported by others in similar situations. Women who take part in support groups believe that they can live healthier, happier lives if they spend time relating to others. Some maintain that the bonds formed between each other within the support groups help them feel emotionally stronger. They further state that sharing feelings and experiences within support groups help to reduce stress, fear, and anxiety which then helps to promote healing. Evidence suggests that support groups do improve quality of life for women with cancer.

Certain support groups may be led by survivors, group members, or trained professionals, and may include education, activity, behavioral training, and directed group interaction. Behavioral training may include yoga which helps muscle relaxation, proper breathing or meditation to reduce stress on the effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. It may also include focusing on learning how to manage current concerns and situations People with cancer are often encouraged by health care professionals to seek support from groups of people who have direct or indirect experiences with the same type of cancer. These groups may vary widely in quality. Don’t hesitate to explore different groups.

The Internet also provides support groups. Interacting with other women by sending and receiving messages via the Internet may be the only option for some women until they feel well enough to go outside the home. These sites are run by moderators in chatrooms or on e-mail lists, while others are not moderated.

Women are such naturals when developing and nurturing loving supportive relationships, so embrace your girlfriends. They also believe that when relatives and friends lend support, it is easier to deal with their health and social problems. Let’s face it family and friends are very good for our health.

Laughter As Medicine?

By Diana Ross, E-RYT 500

Founder, Breast Cancer Yoga

I want to share my feelings on laughter and joy  as part of the healing cycle of cancer recovery, and for that matter, many conditions. Undoubtedly, laughter has  a real beneficial effect on our physical and emotional health. A robust, gut explosive laugh simply feels good. It literally melts stress away.

So why aren’t we laughing more to relieve our stress and improve our health?

It may be a challenge to get out of our own way. So often we take life and our circumstances too seriously, and it doesn’t serve us to do so. Truth be told, some 

days you might have to fake it when you just don’t feel like laughing, and here’s a 

good reason to go through the motions: studies show that even when manipulated to smile people actually feel happier. Laughter stops depression in its tracks.

I know for myself when I stop and watch a good sitcom or read a funny  email from a friend, I focus only  on this lighter side, and it lifts me. Even studies show the more you laugh the more positive you become; you just feel better about practically everything. Medical research on laughter Studies at the University  of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore (2005)   are among many that show groundbreaking results in terms of laughter’s role in  the health of the mind and body.  There is a strong connection between blood  vessel expansion (vasodilation) through laughter, at least during those seconds and moments when we are laughing and for a little while beyond. Improvements in blood flow have actually  found to be equal to those from a 15-30 minute  workout. Researchers believe laughing causes the body  to release endorphins, or “natural pain killers.” These endorphins contribute to a sense of well being; they counteract the effects of stress hormones, and cause dilation of the blood vessels. Even anticipating laughter can increase endorphin levels.

Laughter and our immune system

Studies show that when we laugh, lymph fluid moves more efficiently through our bodies; an immune system booster and way to eliminate what we do not need.  That’s because with better lymph flow we clear out old, dead waste and toxins from our organs and muscle tissue. It’s important to understand that our lymph system doesn’t have it’s own pump; we need to move around (and breath deeply) to properly circulate lymph. Laughter supports this function.

Laughter’s greatest power

We know that now is the time to pull out all the stops and help ourselves get better. Laughter’s ability to help in this arena is perhaps its greatest power. It puts us in a positive state of mind, and that’s just what we need to bring us through the physical and emotional roller coaster ride of cancer. We need to reduce our levels of chronic stress (our journey  with cancer may  have just begun). 

We need to boost our immune system function; protect our nervous system; and 

my God, our sanity. Well, “Laughter is the Best Medicine.”

I cannot say  enough about laughing, right down to the fact that the people around us will enjoy  our company, which will support our well being.  Go check out funny videos; YouTube is full of funny. Rent funny  movies. I guarantee you a good laugh or two.

By Diana Ross, E-RYT 500

Founder, Breast Cancer Yoga

5 Easy Ways to Detox While in Cancer Recovery

by Diana Ross, E-RYT500

I want to share 5 easy ways to detox your body while in recovery, or anytime. These are the things I did, and continue to do that makes a difference in my health and I hope will make a difference in your health.

It is nothing new to state that breast (cancer) has touch so many lives. Either a family member, friend or neighbor may fall on this list. It is also not uncommon that cancer patients choose allopathic medicines and treatments.

These treatments usually involve potent drugs, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, or both. These treatments can leave the patient exhausted and emotionally drained. The cause of this fatigue is from the body being subjected to poisons, which indiscriminately attacked all the body cells over time. Knowing that detoxing the body is so important for better health and for recovery; it would be very beneficial to adopt a detox routine.

You can do it once a month, once every two months or when you feel the need to detox. It is as simple as developing a routine. Here are my ideas for better health for mind, body and spirit. 

Dry Brush Method -Dry brushing stimulates the skin and circulates lymph fluid which is vital for overall health. The skin is the largest organ in the body and is responsible for a quarter of the body’s detoxification. The ability of the skin to excrete toxins is of paramount importance. Dry skin brushing helps to shed dead skin cells, which improves skin texture and cell renewal. Dry skin brushing increases circulation to skin, encouraging your body’s discharge of metabolic wastes, which greatly aids the lymphatic drainage of the entire body. When the body rids itself of toxins, it is able to run more efficiently in all areas. Dry skin brushing stimulates the lymph canals to drain toxic mucoid matter into the colon, thereby purifying the entire system. This enables the lymph to perform its house-cleaning duties by keeping the blood and other vital tissues detoxified.

Drink Water -Water Detoxifies. The quality of your tissues, their performance, and their resistance to disease and injury are linked to the quality and quantity of water you drink. The daily cleansing of wastes from each cell, the flushing of the alimentary canal and the purifying of the blood are all dependent on our water consumption. This helps to scavenge free radicals and reduce the oxidation of your body, in turn slowing down the aging process and overall health. Drinking ionized, or alkaline water has smaller molecule clusters than regular water. These small clusters are able to permeate your body's cells and hydrate much more effectively. This makes the water and minerals better able to be absorbed in your body and flood out the toxins within. Good quality steam distilled water can pickup mineral deposits accumulated in cells, joints, artery walls, and remove them out. Distilled water cleans out impurities and replenishes the essential nutrient required for human life.

1 to 3 Day Body Detox Diet -Our body is exposed to numerous toxins daily as in air pollution, over processed foods, chemical cleaners and pesticides. A detox diet is when you lighten your daily food intake and provide your body the opportunity to rest, which then helps release toxins. A one to three day detox diet may range from simply focusing on whole foods to an all-out fast. Most detox diets ask that you eliminate items like caffeine, alcohol, added sugar and refined flours. For example, a fresh fruit diet emphasizes a healthy and easy way to digest the fruit and to assist in elimination. You may add protein powder to the fresh fruit which offers a high content of water, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Eating just fruit, or just veggies help to dissolve toxins, enhance liver function and create better energy levels. Juicing is also a great way to feel light and to receive nutrients for the body which assist in detoxification.

Take a Himalayan Salt Bath -To feed the body with healthy minerals and trace minerals take a pink Himalayan crystal salt bath. This rock salt is fuel for balancing and increasing energy. Your skin is an excretive organ that mirrors the condition of your intestines. When you take a salt brine bath, the salt minerals penetrate your skin with ions. This ion absorption will stimulation natural cell growth in your living cell layers. Bio-energetic weak points will be balanced and your body's energy flow will be made active. Bathing with Himalayan salts will stimulate overall circulation, hydrates the skin, increases moisture retention, promotes cellular regeneration, detoxifies the skin, and helps heal dry, scaling, irritated skin. Salt water bathing reduces inflammation of the muscles and joints, relaxes muscles and relieves pain and soreness.

Breath Properly -Breathing properly detoxifies and releases toxins. Your body is designed to release 70% of its toxins through breathing. If you are not breathing effectively, you are not properly ridding your body of its toxins, i.e. other systems in your body must work overtime which could eventually lead to illness. When you exhale air from your body you release carbon dioxide that has been passed through from your bloodstream into your lungs. Carbon dioxide is a natural waste of your body's metabolism. To improve overall well-being take 5 or 10 minutes a day to sit quietly and breath. This helps release toxins by full oxygen exchange. It also balances the stress hormone, cortisol and increases GABA levels.

Look at each of the 5 ways as opportunities to improve your lifestyle and diet. They will foster deep, and lasting transformation, and I promise you they will make you feel renewed.

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When, Where and What Do I Need To Begin a Yoga Practice For Breast Cancer Recovery?

by Diana Ross, E-RYT 500
When is the right time? Where do I start? What do I need to know to begin a yoga
practice? I have never done yoga before so will I be flexible enough? These are all
normal questions to ask.

One day at a time is how or when you want to start your yoga practice. Make it simple
and easy as possible so a positive tone for each day is encouraged and then re-enforced.
Set yourself up for success. Start at home at first and then when ready, or desire to, go to
a group class where the instructor is knowledgable in recovery. As far as being flexible
enough; you come to yoga to gain flexibility, it is not a requirement. I have included the
following steps to start an easy gentle and restorative yoga practice.

Let’s begin:
1.  You need clearance from your health care provider.
2.  Set a specific time each day (preferably mornings) Begin with consistency.
3.  Brush and floss your teeth, empty your bladder, and begin on an empty stomach.
4.  Find a quiet and well ventilated space. This can be your sacred space for healing.
5.  Dress comfortably; no belts or tight jeans.
6.  Play music that is soothing or maintain silence.
7.  Adjust the lighting to be soft or enjoy the natural sunlight.
8.  Create a room decor as uplifting and comforting as possible.
9.  If possible have a mat, blocks and other props for support.
10. Start small, maybe 5 or 10 minutes at first and gradually add onto your time.

The benefits of a  yoga practice is a healing process and it will help in relaxing your
body tensions while giving time for the mind to consciously rest. This often induces
deep relaxation. The deeper the tensions of mind and body the greater overall effect on
the healing. Please use yoga props or house items, like pillows and blankets. This will
help in comfort and allow for this relaxation to occur. Remember too, that good
thoughts produce good reactions. Be open to experience yoga and the positive flow of
life energy that comes through the practice.
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3 Elements for in A Healthy Restorative Yoga Practice for Breast Health and Breast Cancer Recovery

By Diana Ross, E-RYT 500, KaliRay TriYoga Teacher
There are 3 basic elements that are needed in a restorative yoga practice in order to receive the therapeutic benefits for breast health and breast cancer recovery.  A healthy restorative yoga practice includes:

• Gentle repetitive movements
• Specific breathing exercises 
• Use of props

This combination of flowing movements, proper breathing and yoga props facilitates the healing of body, mind and spirit.  When these three elements come together physical muscle tension is released, emotional feelings of fear,  stress, anxiety and depression decrease and healing begins.

Flowing movements, called asana, along with proper breathing and supporting yoga props produce physical benefits while in recovery from breast cancer surgery or cancer treatments. The continuous flowing gentle arm movements have a positive affect on the lymphatic system and encourage the lymph fluid to be pumped throughout the body’s channels, rather than accumulating or backing up. This is great for promoting healthy breast tissue.  Flowing movements develop a supple spine and a strong nervous system so when the nervous system is in balance, the parasympathetic and sympathetic system work together creating great calm.  Restorative poses encourage digestion, assimilation and elimination.  The body’s immune system is stimulated to maintain good health.
  
The breath - An internal calm is created by consciously tuning in to the breath. The immediate result of tuning into your breath is the ability to obtain control of your emotional state of mind. The positive potential which comes from controlling your breathing results in facilitating recovery from surgery and beyond. This healing ability of breathing consciously works by calming nerves and inviting relaxation. The immune system also benefits from proper breathing cycles. By conscious breathing we bring the mind/body/spirit state into balance and the nervous system runs with maximum efficiency.

Yoga props aid in several therapeutic functions. They offer support to the entire body and various body regions that are in need of rest and release. Often, the poses most beneficial for a particular condition may not be attainable due to physical limitations. These poses become possible with props, while still allowing for any limitations or lack of strength. Consequently, without the use of props the speed of recovery would not be as apparent. When props are used correctly, they allow the body to come into a natural and balanced state of alignment.  When the body is aligned, the mind feels balanced as well. Once the body and the mind unite, the breath too becomes aligned and brings a deeper, internal state of peace. In a therapeutic setting, the sequence of the poses and the amount of time each pose is held is as important as the pose itself. The supportive nature of props enables a person to remain longer in the pose far more comfortably than without their support.

Ultimately this system of restorative yoga encourages and supports recovery back to a balanced state of mind and body.  This is when one can learn to lessen muscle and emotional tension, and replace it with self-love, health, vitality and hope.  Breast Cancer Yoga is this kind of gentle flowing yoga which encourages good health while in recovery and beyond.  It is restorative; there are no weight bearing poses that cause pain, no headstands or challenging poses. Come and visit our YouTube Channel and try our various flowing yoga videos.

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