Weekly Gentle Yoga Classes to Continue at New Time at the Cancer Support Community MA South Shore

NORWELL, Mass. - Jan. 13, 2014 - PRLog -- Yoga has many benefits, but can be especially beneficial for those individuals struggling with life’s challenges. Studies have shown that yoga, and other stress-reduction programs, may help minimize both temporary and longer lasting cancer treatment side effects and contribute to an improvement in ones quality of life as they move through and beyond treatment. The Cancer Support Community MA South Shore (CSS-MSS) will now be moving its weekly Gentle Yoga Classes for Cancer Survivors and their Caregivers from Mondays to every Friday morning, beginning January 17th. The weekly classes will meet from 10-11:30 am at CSS-MSS, 120 Longwater Dr., Suite 104 in Assinippi Park in Norwell.

This unique yoga class, lead by Gail Colton, a Registered Yoga Instructor, addresses the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of people impacted by cancer, regardless of where they might be in their cancer journey. Participants will learn basic yoga poses to improve strength, increase flexibility, reduce stress and improve overall comfort. Introduction to gentle breathing and meditation will also be offered.  Participants will do yoga poses with the support of pillows, blankets and blocks - accompanied by music and guided imagery.

Colton completed her training at the OM Yoga Cancer Survivor Program in NYC and Yoga for Cancer Recovery and Beyond at Exclusive Yoga in Waltham, Ma.  She was inspired to acquire more training after several of her students in her ‘regular’ yoga classes, commented that while they wanted to attend class they didn’t feel, due to their cancer diagnosis and treatment, they were up to doing many of the poses, and would appreciate a class where they could go at their own pace. The basic premise of yoga is to listen to one’s own body and Colton observed that often people did more than they thought they were capable of and felt so much better after class. However this is tricky with people impacted by cancer and its treatment.  Colton recognized that there were special situations and needs that cancer survivors had to deal with after surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation, and decided to design classes that would accommodate this population and their specific needs.   Research suggests that yoga can improve mood and sense of well being, counteract stress, reduce heart rate and blood pressure, improve muscle relaxation and body composition, help with insomnia, anxiety and depression, as well as improve strength and flexibility.

About Cancer Support Community of MA South Shore

The Cancer Support Community-Mass South Shore is one of the 50 affiliates, and the only one in New England, of the National Cancer Support Community, headquartered in Washington, DC.  Its mission is to offer emotional support, education and hope, through professionally led programs, to people who have been impacted by cancer.  All programs are offered at no cost to participants.  CSC-MSS is able to offer these programs due to the generosity of individual, group and corporate donations, grants and bequests.  The Cancer Support Community- Mass South Shore is a division of the NVNA Foundation and is located at 120 Longwater Drive in Norwell. Please visit www.cancersupportcommunityma.org or call 781-610-1490.