COURSE DESCRIPTION
Cancer will affect 40% of the world’s population. If you are teaching yoga anywhere in the world today, chances are you have cancer patients and survivors in your classes. Yoga has been shown to safely and effectively reduce side effects of cancer and its treatments, and support long-term survivorship. But most yoga professionals lack the knowledge and understanding to know how and why it can help.
Oncology Yoga is an evidence informed yoga method developed to address the specific physical and emotional needs left by the cancer and cancer treatments. It has been shown to mitigate short and long term side effects of cancer and its treatments; including bone loss, lymphedema, scar tissue, constipation, neuropathy, fatigue, anxiety and many more.
In this course, you will learn about the fundamentals of this life-changing yoga intervention and how these principles can inform your classes and work with students. Discover how yoga can help cancer patients and survivors alleviate side effects, cope with cancer-related trauma, and increase their overall quality of life. Come away with the clarity, empathy, and confidence to provide safe and effective support to the cancer patients and survivors you serve.
COURSE CURRICULUM
The Course comprises of five modules. Each are delivered in a mix of videos, assignments, demonstrations, quizzes, and full Oncology Yoga practice.
1: Understanding Cancer and its Treatments
In this module, you will learn:
- What cancer is, how it impacts the human body, and the long term effects of its treatments.
- About the connection between the immune system and cancer and the role of the lymphatic system in fighting cancer.
- The most common side effects of cancer; including bone loss, lymphedema, scar tissue, constipation, neuropathy, fatigue, and anxiety.
- About important considerations to ensure long-term survivorship after cancer treatment.
2: How Yoga Can Support Cancer Patients and Survivors
In this module, you will learn:
- How the practice of yoga can benefit cancer patients and survivors — from diagnosis, to during treatment, to long after remission.
- About the risks of yoga for cancer patients and survivors, and key ways to make your classes a safe and supportive space for this population.
- About the most up to date research available on evidence-based yoga interventions for cancer patients and survivors, including risks and benefits.
3: Yoga Poses and Practices to Manage Side Effects
In this module, you will learn:
- Safe and effective yoga practices targeted to specific side effects such as loss of range of motion, bone loss, and anxiety.
- Key recommendations for teaching cancer patients and survivors — including use of props, modifications, and language recommendations.
- Which yoga poses and practices are contraindicated for cancer patients and survivors, and what you can teach instead.
4: Leading a Class for Cancer Patients and Survivors
In this module, you will learn:
- How to set up a trauma informed, safe and effective yoga practice that goes beyond the physical aspects of yoga for physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
- What an Oncology Yoga class looks like in action, including an opportunity to practice in one yourself.
- How to practice a safe and effective embodied yoga practice and be able to perceive its effects in your body and mind.
5: How to Bring Yoga to Cancer Patients and Survivors in Your Community
In this module, you will learn:
- How to approach and collaborate with healthcare professionals to incorporate Oncology Yoga into the standard of care.
- About the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis and treatment as well as the impact of social and racial inequalities on long term survival.
- How to deepen your knowledge and education by exploring additional Oncology Yoga trainings offered by Yoga4Cancer.
We are excited to have you here, and grateful to be connected to you as you join our growing yoga service community.
