An interview with Vicky Fox

We all know the advantages of yoga in our own lives, but did you know that there are now special courses for people with cancer? While the recovery rates are increasing today, we unfortunately know more people who either deal with a diagnosis, treatment or the recovery process. Yogamatters met Vicky Fox, a yoga teacher who specializes in courses for cancer patients to learn more about the advantages.

What are the advantages of a yoga course for cancer?

I help people to connect with their changing body again and find their breath. To hear that you have cancer, you take your breath away and yet it is our breath that leads us to the security of the current moment. Conscious breathing is strengthening, because although we know that we cannot control what happens, we can control our reaction. Anchoring yourself at the present moment can be the most difficult in class, but learning breathing techniques that you can take with you and use when you are waiting for an oncologist are afraid (the fear of waiting for scans) or your chemotherapy can help you to feel more calmer and controlled. Our breath is the fastest way to influence our nervous system, and by changing the way we breathe, we can also calm the nervous system and bring our body into the best place to repair or nutrition.

Why do you need a cancer specialist when all yoga classes certainly teach breathing?

It's not just about breathing. An increase in survival rates means more people are living with the side effects of treatment but are not necessarily supported after treatment. The course covers the most common side effects of treatment from scar tissue to lymphedema. You can learn cooling breathing techniques for hot flashes. Small movements to strengthen the hands and feet to keep the muscles active when the long peripheral nerves have been damaged.

Cancer Related Fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common side effects of treatment and is a tiredness that is not relieved by a good night's sleep. Studies show it can last for years after treatment. The courses are designed to help participants sleep better, feel less tired and enjoy a better quality of life. It sounds counterintuitive to exercise when you already feel tired, but by building muscle mass that we lose during bed rest and inactivity, we have more strength and therefore use less energy, making daily activities easier.

During cancer treatments, some students may have tubes or openings inserted into their bodies, such as: B. a peripherally inserted central catheter line (PICC line), portacathen or stoma. People may feel nervous about training with this, but they can be reassured that the class already takes these into account and adapts to make the class suitable for everyone.

Are your lessons taking place in the studio or online?

The courses take place both personally and by livestream, so that everyone can take part in a course regardless of location or circumstances. In addition to the physical and emotional support of yoga teaching, the joint support of the class is. I would not have thought that this would be possible with online courses, but there is a real feeling of intimacy if you teach from home to other people's houses. The community and the advice of other people who are on the same way as they are are invaluable for the participants so that they feel loved and supported.

Tell us more about your teacher training.

The teacher training is a 40-hour accredited course from Yoga Alliance Professionals. It allows teachers to teach these rewarding classes. You'll learn how to create a safe environment so people have the opportunity to repair, nourish, and strengthen their bodies and minds. We have wonderful guest speakers, including oncology physiotherapist Louise Malone and clinical palliative care nurse Liliana Branco, who share their experiences working with people with cancer. Ultimately, it's about giving people a better quality of life and yoga for cancer patients plays a crucial role in this.For more details and booking, visit Triyoga here.

About Vicky Fox

Vicky is registered with Yoga Alliance as a Senior Registered Yoga Teacher and Teacher Trainer. She teaches at Triyoga in Camden, Ealing and Chelsea and at Paul’s Cancer Support Center. She also teaches applied anatomy with Julie Montagu, High Yoga School and Carolyn Cowan's teacher training course and has an extensive private customer base. In 2013, Vicky studied at Laura Kupperman in teacher training "Yoga for Survivors" and now teaches yoga for cancer patients at every stage of her recovery. Vicky conducts a training course for teaching yoga for cancer patients so that more teachers feel supported in teaching these wonderful and supportive courses. Yoga for cancer training is 24^the-27^theJanuary, at tiyoga Camden + livestream to book click here.