Yoga Bear

Our blog has moved!

2009-08-13T15:26:00.001-07:00

If you've been wondering where our blog disappeared to, it's now embedded into our website at www.yogabear.org. We have a great team of volunteer bloggers working five days a week to bring you the latest and greatest on yoga, health, nutrition, and cancer.

To receive our weekly digest of blog posts and conversations, simply create a (free) profile on www.yogabear.org. This will also give you access to free podcasts, videos, and a forum to connect with other survivors, yogis, and health professionals.

And check out our upcoming events:
1. KARMA: a benefit party for Yoga Bear in NYC
2. Yoga 101 in San Francisco

See you soon!

Help Yoga Bear Win $3K!

2009-05-27T17:42:00.001-07:00

Zemanta will donate $3,000 to the charitable causes that is most blogged about. Help Yoga Bear win by writing about us on your blog and including the tagline at the bottom. View full rules here. Thank you!!

Yoga has played a huge part in my life-- giving me the strength to constantly recenter and find peace in whatever happens. But the role yoga has played in my life hit its pinnacle when I figured out how to use my admiration for the practice in service to others.

I have always been a cancer advocate. Shouldn't we all be concerned about fighting this disease that affects one in three of us? But I'm not just concerned with finding a cure or preventing cancer (although these are very important things). We should also be concerned about the 11 million survivors who have gone through months or years of treatments, and are now out of the hospital and looking to obtain a high quality of life. Looking to get back to their jobs, their families, and to a meaningful, happy existence. The cancer world defines this as 'survivorship'.

Cancer-oriented non-profits and research disproportionately support programs that focus on people in active treatment for cancer. And many of the services that are provided to people while undergoing treatment, are taken away once the treatment is over. I saw this as an opportunity, and founded Yoga Bear in 2006.

Yoga Bear brings free yoga classes to post-treatment cancer survivors. Our work is driven by a staff of 30 volunteers, and a nearly non-existent budget. And the model is simple. It costs little for yoga studios to offer a space in their regularly instructed classes, but the aggregate impact of hundreds of yoga studios offering a few spaces is HUGE. So we work with studios across the US-- from California to Texas to Florida to NYC-- to make this possible. Each studio donates at a level that is comfortable and meaningful to them. Some studios donate 1 or 2 six-month passes, while other studios donate 20. We call this the Share a Mat Campaign.

Being disease-free does not mean being free of the disease. Many of our participants, even 5 years out of treatment, are still dealing with the symptoms of treatment, both psychological and physical. Many of them are finding that a yoga practices allows them reduce suffering and find peace, community, and strength.

The term yoga itself is a Sanskrit word meaning union. And that is exactly what Yoga Bear aims to do-- bring together a community in the mission of providing more health and wellness opportunities to cancer survivors.

This blog post is part of Zemanta's "Blogging For a Cause" campaign to raise awareness and funds for worthy causes that bloggers care about.

rBGH, Cancer, and School Milk

2009-05-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

Our friends at Breast Cancer Action are doing great work to help eliminate the causes of cancer in our environment. We support their current campaign is to get rBGH out of School Milk.

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Our kids deserve the healthiest food possible, and parents deserve to have a say in what their kids eat. Milk is a staple for many of our nation’s youngsters, and it’s crucial that the milk served in schools be safe, healthy and free of artificial hormones.

The artificial growth hormone rBGH, used to increase milk production, is unhealthy for cows and may be linked with some types of cancer in humans. RBGH is already banned in some countries, and US consumers are increasingly opting for milk produced without it. Now, companies may be looking to school lunch programs as an outlet for milk consumers don’t want.

We can’t let pharmaceutical companies and corporate agribusiness dictate what’s best for our kids. That’s why Food & Water Watch’s School Milk Campaign is working to give all schools the option to choose milk that is free of rBGH.

Take action and sign the petition to ask Congress to allow schools to purchase artificial hormone-free milk and organic milk.

Chill out, Cheerios

2009-05-12T15:35:00.000-07:00

The FDA has a message for Cheerios: You're a cereal, not a wonder drug. The agency says General Mills must tone down its health claims or risk having its product yanked off shelves, the New York Daily News reports. The cereal box makes all sorts of claims about lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease, and the FDA says only agency-approved drugs can boast of such things.

“Your claim does not convey that all these factors together help to reduce the risk of heart disease and does not enable the public to understand the significance of the claim,” an FDA letter said, referring to other components of a healthy diet. “The science is not in question,” a General Mills spokesman said. "The FDA is interested in how the Cheerios cholesterol-lowering information is presented on the Cheerios package and Web site.” The company has 15 days to explain how it will change its marketing.

Via New York Daily News

Yoga makes me a better scientist

2009-05-12T10:34:00.000-07:00

Nicoleigh began her yoga studies by accident in 1999. This was shortly after going through an identity crisis, because an injury ended her ballet career, and she was transitioning into scientific research; a seemingly 180 degree turn. Through yoga, she developed a deeper understanding of herself, the world, and a belief that yoga brings a peaceful and truthful existence to any individual. Nicoleigh brings warmth, compassion, and humor to her classes, as well as a sincere desire to help others through appropriate asana. She has been trained in both Ashtanga and Vinyasa yoga styles, and has been most influenced by studies with Michael Hamilton. She holds two master's degrees, one in statistics and the other in neuropharmacology, and a PhD in physiology. Above all, her daily practice inspires her the most, and serves as a daily reminder of compassion for others.

Cancer Survivor Teacher Training Coming to a City Near You!

2009-05-05T06:55:00.000-07:00

OM Yoga for Women Cancer Survivors Teacher Training

Join us for an Open House! Wednesday May 20th at 5:30 pm, get all your questions answered Located at Union Square 826 Broadway at 12th street 6th floor
May 18 Yoga Journal Conference, New York, NY
May 29 - 31My Sacred Yoga in Metuchen, NJ
June 8 - 12 OM Yoga Center, New York City Mon - Thu 9 - 5pm, Fri 9 - 1pm
July 15 - 19 Evolution Yoga Studio Cleveland, OH
**Coming SoonBoulder, CO, Charleston, SC, and San Fransisco, CA

For information on any of these contact:info@OMyoga.com or call 212 254 YOGA with any questions.

Workshop for Breast Cancer Patients/Survivors in SF

2009-05-04T17:13:00.000-07:00

Breast Cancer Patients & Survivors
w/ Bobby Clennell
Saturday, June 13
12:30 - 2:00pm | Studio I
FREE - Please register in advance by calling us at 415.753.0909

This class focuses on the physical, psychological and emotional needs of breast cancer patients and survivors including those undergoing chemotherapy, post mastectomy and post lumpectomy patients, and those with lymphedema.

Breast cancer surgery usually results in decreased mobility and numbness in the arm, shoulder and chest and can be accompanied by an overall loss of balance, energy and strength. This need not be permanent. We will practice in a way that aids the healing process and promotes a state of ease, freedom and peace in the body and mind.

Open to patients & survivors only. Beginners' welcome.

Yoga Bear's New Advisor, Tara Stiles!

2009-05-04T11:35:00.000-07:00

As our organization transitions from a local non-profit to a national force, we knew it would be essential to find our fourth Advisory Board Member on the East Coast (our first three advisors reside in the San Francisco Bay Area).

So we are excited to announce that Tara Stiles of NYC will be joining our family! Our Advisory Board has played a key role in helping develop the strategy for growth, while keeping us rooted in our steadfast mission of providing more opportunities of health and wellness to cancer survivors.

As a volunteer and fan, Tara has warmly and enthusiastically provided feedback and connections to our community. We are honored to have her input and vision as we move forward.

Tara connects healthy approaches to activity, exercise, food, awareness, and everyday feeling good with a wide audience around the world. Her work reaches out through a broad array of channels including mainstream print and television, web video and news sites. She's a popular contributor to The Huffington Post, Women's Health, and Men's Health, covering many aspects of yoga including basic how-to and preventive health care. Tara is recognized for her bold, fun and approachable style, breaking down ancient tradition and ideas into useful practices for everyone. She's also the founder of New York-based yoga studio Strala, where her teaching centers on building strength while helping people to live health and feel good.

What do you think about the "Save Second Base" campaign?

2009-05-03T20:39:00.000-07:00

"Save Second Base" is a controversial slogan that's used nationwide as a fundraiser for breast cancer research. While some find it a playful way to bring attention to a cause; others find it offensive and sexist.

One argument states that if we’re going to use sex to sell a cause, then we should do so equally for male audiences and female audiences. Just as if we’re going to sell this cause from a women’s health perspective, we should do so equally with male and female audiences.

Another argument, which stands against many breast-cancer campaigns (especially the pink ones), is ignoring the fact that men make up 1% of breast cancer cases.

And the feminist argument against the "Save Second Base" campaign is that it objectifies women and ties the importance of their life to their sexual organs. Breast cancer, which so happens to attacks a highly sexualized part of a woman’s body, is also life-threatening.

After all, we should care about finding a cure because it claims women’s lives, not because it claims their breasts.

Yoga & Asthma

2009-04-30T13:34:00.000-07:00

From today's Examiner, Yogi Annette Rivlin-Gutman writes:

Clinical studies have shown proof that Pranayama breathing can help asthmatics. It supplies oxygen to the entire body and exercises the lungs and its surrounding organs.
“Prana” means life force which is the breath and “ayama” means to lengthen or to extend. So, Pranayama means extending or mastering control of the breath. It allows unconscious breathing become a conscious act.
While many of us could benefit from pranayama in order to learn to breathe more deeply, asthmatics tend to over breathe. The exhalation is commonly the most problematic. Balancing airflow to the body can help an asthmatic control the output of her breath. Living with asthma can also create high anxiety. Slow, efficient breaths lead to a calmer mind leading to calmer breathing.

Just another reason yoga rocks!

Cancer survivor yoga class on Long Island

2009-04-29T07:50:00.000-07:00

Freedom Yoga
is for woman cancer survivors who would like the opportunity to develop a more peaceful and positive outlook on life.

Taught by yoga instructor
Maria Yakkey, RYT at:

Om Tara Yoga Studio
577 Broadway, Massapequa

Weekly Classes are offered on
Thursday mornings at 11:30am.
Come as you are. No prior yoga experience necessary, doctor’s approval recommended.
Wear comfortable clothing.
For more information
Call Maria at:(516) 250-0101
e-mail: santosha@live.com
Private Sessions Available

Maria Yakkey, RYT is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance at the 200 hour level and is certified to teach by Into This World Yoga. Currently, Maria is working towards her 500 hour certification.
Maria’s yoga education includes: YogaKids (CYKT),
Yoga for the Special Child, Pre-Natal Yoga, Restorative Yoga,
and Yoga for Woman Cancer Survivors.

12 Months of Goodness

2009-04-28T10:46:00.000-07:00

Yoga Bear is looking for studios and yogis alike to collaborate with us on the upcoming Calendar Fundraiser Project! As Yoga Bear truly values the bonds we have with our surrounding community, we feel the need to benefit us all in our attempts to reach out and ensure the long-term sustainability of our cause. So how exactly are all of us going to benefit from this? Here’s a simple breakdown of the project:

1. Studios and yogis can "sponsor" a month in the Yoga Bear Calendar by making a $100 tax-deductible donation to Yoga Bear. First come, first serve for selection of month.

2. We will have professional photographs taken of the yoga instructor of your choice (from your sponsoring studio) which will serve as the graphic for the according month on the calendar-- you will also be given digital copies from the photo shoot for your own uses!

3. We will release the Yoga Bear calendars to the public (homes, offices, non-profits, clinics, nutritionists, therapists, support groups etc.) and your studio will be recognized for its contribution to the Yoga Bear cause!

4. And of course, you will be provided with your own calendar to put up in your studio

Helping provide cancer survivors receive free yoga AND investing in an effective marketing strategy? Sounds like a good deal to us. If you would be at all interested in working with us on this project or maybe you just have some questions, please don’t hesitate to contact chad@yogabear.org

Yoga Bear wins Nike Grant

2009-04-27T16:16:00.000-07:00

We are honored to be a recipient of the Nike Athletes Serve grant. This grant will allow Yoga Bear to continue our work with cancer communities across the US.

Teaching Yoga to People with Cancer (Discount on Training)

2009-04-23T08:13:00.000-07:00

We are very excited to announce that Jnani Chapman, RN has offered Yoga Bear volunteers and affiliate studios, to receive a 20% discount off tuition for their upcoming training.

WHAT: Yoga for People with Cancer Teacher Training (YCaTT) is a three-part certification program designed to train experienced Yoga teachers to work safely with cancer patients at any stage of illness. The goal of this program is to enable Yoga teachers to adapt traditional Yoga practices to meet the physiological and psychological needs of cancer patients and to communicate effectively with medical personnel. At the completion of the program, Yoga teachers will be qualified to design and implement wellness/stress management based classes for cancer patients. Graduates of all three parts will receive certification for this specialty.

WHEN: May 3-10

WHERE: Yogaville, Buckingham, Virginia

Find full details here. You must mention Yoga Bear when booking your reservations.

Yoga Bear at the Liver Cancer Symposium in Chicago, May 15-16

2009-04-23T07:57:00.000-07:00

On May 14th through 16th, Yogi Bear Jean DiCarlo-Wagner will be teaching a free yoga class at the Liver Cancer Symposium (for patients and doctors) in Chicago. Suzanne Lindley, 10 year Stage IV colorectal survivor, is one of the coordinators.

Yoga Circle owner and Yoga Bear volunteer Gabriel Halpern has also offered his services to teach restorative classes at this event.

Jean and Gabriel will be working on providing 'yoga breaks' at the conference, so come prepared with your yoga gear and water!

"Give us millions to find a cure for cancer" sounds better than "give us millions to find a million cures for a million types of cancer"

2009-04-23T07:39:00.000-07:00

This is from PHD Comics:

OM Yoga Events in NYC

2009-04-22T15:30:00.000-07:00

We are happy to help spread the word about these yoga opportunities for cancer survivors in NYC:

OM yoga for Women Cancer Survivors Classes

MOTHER'S DAY
SUNDAY MAY 3, 10 AM - 1 PM
Sponsored by The Libby Ross Foundation
Taught by Tari Prinster - FREE to women cancer survivors
RSVP by April 15th to info@OMyoga.com or call 212 254 YOGA with any questions.
Space is limited-first come first serve registration

We welcome all moms, daughters, sisters, cousins, aunts and friends to celebrate Mother's Day.

CLASSES
Tuesdays from 3:45 - 5:15 pm sponsored by The Libby Ross Foundation
taught by Tari Prinster - FREE

Saturdays from 1:45 - 3:15 pm taught by Jacqueline Lucas
reduced rate of $10, portion of proceeds go to LRF

OM yoga in NYC http://www.omyoga.com/

Located at Union Square 826 Broadway at 12th street 6th floor

Earth Day: Living Green & in Connection with All of Life

2009-04-22T08:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day Friends! In honor of Mother Earth, we wanted to share a few tips for living green and in connection with all of life.

1. Breath
Learning to breathe correctly can change your life. Dr. Andrew Weil, a well known medical doctor who integrates western and eastern medicine, uses breathwork as his number one prescription for all stress related illnesses, physical and emotional. Deepening the breath in the body can aid in the healing process, reduce physical and emotional tension, foster a sense of peace, wellbeing and calm, allow clear thinking and decision making to emerge, rejuvenate and reenergize, bring relaxation, improve sports and academic performance and stabilize emotions. That’s pretty powerful stuff.

2. Mindful Buying
Rather than buying something new, see if you can find it used. These days you can also find everything from organic cotton yoga tops to cork yoga blocks online at sites such as eBay or even Craig’s List. Visit yard sales or resale shops, and borrow or share with friends.

3. Selective Buying
Our twitter friend @premapadam suggest buying from small, grassroots businesses like www.consciousclothing.etsy.com which sells organic cotton clothing using soy based dies. When making purchasing decisions, don't just consider the price to your wallet. Think about the price to Mother Earth. What is it made of? Where was it made? How far was it shipped? And what will happen to it when you're done?

4. Choose your mat wisely
Some Yogis have voiced concerns about the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in sticky Yoga mats. PVC has been linked to different types of cancer, and it cannot be recycled. Therefore, worn out mats with PVC must go to a landfill. Our friend @Evonborcke suggests a mat made from recycled materials, "They are still quite wonderful I must say".

5. Stay Hydrated
Did you know that tap water is more regulated than bottled water? Forget the plastic water bottle, pour your filtered tap water into a bottle like the metal SIGG bottle. Or find a Biota bottled water. The bottle is made from 100% corn (a renewable resources) and it decomposes in a commercial composting situation in 70 - 80 days.

Any other tips on being a green yogi? Please share them as comments below!

Studies claim new anti-cancer foods

2009-04-21T19:50:00.000-07:00

Three new studies came out this week extolling the disease-fighting properties of grapefruit juice, walnuts and wine.

The research was presented Monday at the 100th annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR.)

A study from the University of Chicago Medical Center claims that combining eight ounces of grapefruit juice with the anti-cancer medicine rapamycin could increase drug levels, allowing lower doses of the [exoebsuve] drug to be given.

A second study presented at the conference found that walnut consumption could provide the body with essential Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytosterols that reduce the risk of breast cancer. Researcher Dr Elaine Hardman, of Marshall University School of Medicine, said although the study was carried out in mice, the beneficial effect of walnuts was likely to apply to humans too.

The third study found that drinking wine may increase survival among patients suffering from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Researchers at Yale found that those who drank wine had a 76% five-year survival compared with 68% for non-wine drinkers. Further research found five-year, disease-free survival was 70% among those who drank wine compared with 65% among non-wine drinkers.

Beer and/or liquor consumption did not show a benefit.

Founded in 1907, AACR is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research, with a membership including more than 28,000 researchers, health care professionals and cancer survivors in nearly 90 countries.

Therapeutic Yoga for Cancer Patients and Survivors in NJ

2009-04-21T12:11:00.000-07:00

We are very pleased to share these two opportunity for cancer patients and survivors in Brick, New Jersey:

WHEN: FRIDAYS 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM (except 5/29/09, 9/11/09, 11/27/09, 12/25/09)
WHERE: Brick Fitness for Women (Route 88)
Kmart Shopping Center in Brick, NJ
848-459-4255
COST: FREE for patients and survivors
No yoga experience necessary

WHEN: SATURDAYS 12 noon - 1:30 PM (first and third Saturday of each month)

WHERE: OM Baby Yoga Studio

726 Arnold Avenue

Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

COST: Free to cancer patients under treatment, $5 donation from other students. Donation goes to studio and any additional funds are donated to Cancer Concern Center in Point Pleasant Beach.

Instructor: Bobbi Linkowski (Viveki) has been teaching yoga to active seniors and cancer patients for the last six years. She is a certified Yoga Instructor in Sivananda Yoga, and registered with the Yoga Alliance. She completed her 500-hour Yoga Teacher Certification from the Himalayan Institute. She is currently interning in a program to earn a 1000 hour certificate in Therapeutic Yoga. Having started her Hatha Yoga practice for better health and to improve chronic medical conditions, she is able to emphatize with students and to adopt postures for a student's physical and mental challenges. Bobbi has worked as a Medical Technologist for over 38 years and has a Masters Degree in Allied Health Education.

Yoga Bear in the Huffington Post!

2009-04-18T16:26:00.000-07:00

Yoga Bear makes the Huffington Post today! Yoga activist and blogger, Tara Stiles gives a terrific write-up about Yoga Bear and the value our work has for cancer survivors nationally.

Check it out, tweet it, share it with others. I also recommend becoming a fan and subscribing to Tara's blog, if you don't already, for regular doses of yoga, activism, and humor.

The Burgeoning Field of Yoga Therapy

2009-04-15T19:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Time published an article about Yoga Therapy titled Psychotherapy Goes from Couch to Yoga Mat. The article describes yoga therapy as a way to allow yoga to empower people while priming them to access their deepest emotions.

"Emotional memories are stored in your body," Visceglia says. "A group yoga class, is not structured to enable you to process that. Ideally one would want to work with someone who is paying attention to both the physical and emotional experiences."

The article goes on to discuss how far research into the mind-body relationship has come:

Studies show that not only are your mental health and mood dependent in large part on physical factors like exercise, but also unchecked stress, anxiety and depression can affect physical health, increasing blood pressure, heart disease and even risk of death.

And the article quoted Mind-Body expert and YOGABEAR advisor Kelly McGonigal:

Now we have more licensed health-care providers, including psychologists, coming in who are interested in using yoga in their work.

Last Friday was my first private yoga therapy session. After a discussion with YOGABEAR volunteer Soleil Hepner, I decided to book a private session with a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist in my area.

I'm used to my yoga practice either being in the community setting of the classroom-- or the complete privacy of my apartment. But this time, it was a 1 on 1 private session with a certified Phoenix Rising Yoga therapist. We began the session with a meditation body scan, which requires you to focus your mind at one point and stilling the mind in order to perceive the self.

After this, I was asked to share how I was feeling and what my goals were for the day. I described my fear of pain, and my love/hate relationship with my body. I went into the difficulty I have stilling my thoughts, and the constant rush of "am I doing enough? what else can I do?". My goal for that session was to quiet my mind and remind myself that everything is okay just the way it is.

During the session, I transcended into a deep relaxation where time was irrelevant and life was endless. I had reached a point I am not able to achieve in the classroom or on my own. I left the session with a renewed sense of energy, calm state of mind, and centered connection.

Photo from http://www.purushayoga.org/index.htm

Yoga & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

2009-04-14T10:26:00.000-07:00

The facts: Currently, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome affects over 8 million Americans. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the #1 reported medical problem, accounting for about 50% of all work-related injuries. Approximately 260,000 carpal tunnel release operations are performed each year. Only 23% of all Carpal Tunnel Syndrome patients were able to return to their previous professions following surgery. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome results in the highest number of days lost among all work related injuries. Almost half of the carpal tunnel cases result in 31 days or more of work loss. The U.S. Department of Labor has concluded that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the "chief occupational hazard"-disabling workers in epidemic proportions. Women are twice as likely to develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as opposed to their male counterparts.

The Yoga Solution: A randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia concluded, "In this preliminary study, a yoga-based regimen was more effective than wrist splinting or no treatment in relieving some symptoms and signs of carpal tunnel syndrome." The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998, also noted that "Subjects in the yoga groups had significant improvement in grip strength and pain reduction, but changes in grip strength and pain were not significant for control subjects."

For more info and sample poses, check out Yoga and Carpel Tunnel. Photos from About.com.

Yoga Bear at Maimonides Medical Center

2009-04-13T19:12:00.000-07:00

As Yoga Bear expands its programs for both cancer fighters and cancer survivors, we want to thank the volunteers who make our work possible. With no budget, the Yoga Bear chapter of NYC has made yoga classes available at two hospitals. We recently expanded the program at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, thanks to yoga teacher Nancy Sidewater who will now be teaching twice a month.

Nancy Sidewater has been practicing yoga for almost 10 years. In 2007, she became an Om certified yoga teacher and the following year, completed Om Yoga's teacher training to work with cancer survivors. A warm thank you to Nancy and the NYC Yoga Bears!

Yoga Bear in the News

2009-04-12T23:35:00.001-07:00

Journalist Jeannine Stein wrote a wonderful piece on Yoga Bear in the LA Times. It was picked up and syndicated in several other news outlets including NJ.com (NewJersey.com), Oregon Live, Gulf Live, Syracuse.com, Penn Live, and Cleveland.com.

Video Friday: A stretch for the spine that can be done in the kitchen

2009-04-10T18:18:00.000-07:00

This is a wonderful pose for anyone who has back pain, sciatica, scoliosis, lordosis and kyphosis.

From the lovely Roberta Dell'anno:

Open letter from a survivor

2009-04-09T07:29:00.000-07:00

This is a letter to survivors out there. I want to relate the experience I had with cancer, and yoga as part of recovery.

I was just on the edge of life and ready to go: happy, interested, bold. It was my senior year of high school and I was diagnosed with Hodgkins. The day I was diagnosed, I went to lunch as usual with my family. I remember sitting there covering it up. Looking at the same old world through a grave new perspective. That is what I was taught to do in my "Old Southern" upbringing. If whatever is going on can fit under that rug it goes under that rug.

No one had much to do with me except my oldest brother Patrick, who was always there for tea time. Once he bought me a black fur eastern European style hat. We’d watch British films for hours and talk about this and that. I was in bed for a year.

Illness is a lonely place. I knew my Savior though. I knew he was going to be with me and I was going to come out on the other side. He knows the way out for us. There was a very powerful deep consciousness that I had going through and coming out from under this experience. I lived, but not much was ever said about it. It fit under that rug.

Yoga came along three or four years later. I was in Costa Rica with my sister and picked up a flyer advertising beginners classes. I walked down the dirt path to the covered dojo at the cabinas near the Pacific Ocean. And so it was, that day in July 2004 I took my first yoga class with the beautiful Bathsheba Goveas in Cabinas Arco Iris in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

The class Sheba taught was traditional sivanada and it lasted 90 minutes. We went through twelve basic poses with proper Sanskrit. The atmosphere was tranquil, noncompetitive and enlightening. After that first class I knew I was coming back without question. I was hooked.

There are two important things I gained from those first experiences. First, yoga is only as good as the teacher. Second, a new understanding which I told Bathsheba, “I realized I didn’t have to push myself so hard to get where I was going or to achieve what I needed.” Yoga is part of an intelligent way to live. It’s not an exercise in punishment.

Cancer is becoming an epidemic and is a direct result of something gone astray. Whether it was an attitude, chemical, or an immunization that gave me the virus that caused my lymphoma, I don’t think it's necessary to fear this epidemic. It is necessary to learn to live in a state of awareness and consciousness.

Every person must test themselves against what their environment or society is saying-- whether it’s food, images, immorality, belief systems, etc.. Going through chemotherapy was the only option I was given, but I truly believe that there may be holistic, naturopathic and spiritual ways of curing this disease, with out that pharmaceutical brutality which caused most of the dystrophy and imbalance that followed my illness.

Cancer is more complex than a just a diagnoses we're given. There are cancerous life styles and attitudes. When i find myself in negative circumstances, I turn again to yoga. For the past four years, I have practiced under an instructor (and now my best friend) Jennifer Wofsey at Yoga Bliss Studio. I have the same stillness each time.

I can relate my destructive experience with cancer to my strong yoga practice, with my deep connection to spirituality. I have chosen to gravitate towards one instead of the other because it makes me happy. Yoga brings me happiness every time I walk into a studio. I desperately need the consciousness and connection to my soul that the world does not provide. My life on the mat has travelled off the mat, and empowered me to live a life of true happiness.

By C.Rankin

Yoga Bear is in the air...

2009-04-08T20:01:00.000-07:00

Everyone's talking about Yoga Bear! Here are some of the latest posts:

Sandhy is a cancer warrior living in the UK and connecting with survivors and yogis on our site. She writes an honest and uplifting blog, where she discusses her battle with ovarian cancer. Read her post about getting Yoga Bear to the UK.
Social Earth is a project for promoting socially oriented businesses, check out their profile on Yoga Bear.
Share Yoga interviews Yoga Bear Founder, Halle Tecco
Yoga Dork always covers our events and recently wrote about our upcoming class series in NYC.
The Everything Yoga Blog mentioned YB in their latest post "Karma Yoga-- Acting on Your Good Intentions".
Love Peace Yoga shares an interview with Yoga Bear Founder.

Hey New Yorkers, we invite you to join our Candlelight Restorative Yoga class every Thursday starting May 7th.

Macrobiotics & Cancer: Part II

2009-04-07T10:09:00.000-07:00

Part II The Macrobiotic and Cancer Connection
By Phiya Kushi

Although many persons had experienced remarkable recoveries with macrobiotics throughout the 60s and 70s it wasn't until around 1980 when the case of Dr. Anthony J. Sattilaro was published in Life Magazine (and was later recounted in his book entitled "Recalled By Life") that macrobiotics became popularly associated with cancer. The story of a medical doctor using diet to heal himself where his own medicine failed him was news and subsequently brought much attention to macrobiotics as a possible cancer therapy.

From that time on many individuals healed themselves from a variety of cancers. You can read or hear some of their stories through the links posted in my blog here. Many of the recovery stories are quite remarkable and several have written books about their own stories. These include the following:

1. Macrobiotic Miracle: How Vermont Family Overcame Cancer by Virginia Brown
2. Confessions Of A Kamikaze Cowboy by Dirk Benedict
3. Recovery From Cancer: The Remarkable Story Of One Woman's Struggle With Cancer And What She Did To Beat The Odds by Elaine Nussbaum
4. When Hope Never Dies: One Woman's Remarkable Recovery From Cancer And The Natural Program That Saved Her Life by Marlene McKenna
5. My Beautiful Life: How Macrobiotics Brought Me From Cancer To Radiant Health by Mina Dobic

These are just a handful of the countless recovery stories that many experienced not just from cancer but from a wide variety of illnesses of which there were or is no medical cure.

It is important to note that over the years, many did not get well for a variety of reasons including:

1. Their cancer was too far advanced
2. They were using a variety of methods in addition to macrobiotics, some of which were conflicting to the macrobiotic approach
3. They did not have the physical or emotional support from family and friends to adopt the macrobiotic approach
4. They themselves were unable to follow the macrobiotic program
5. Their doctors advised them against following any macrobiotic program
6. They themselves decided not to follow macrobiotics

Furthermore, some in the macrobiotic community also became ill and passed away with cancer. This fact helped to underscore the complexities of cancer and that a rigid and inflexible "macrobiotic diet" is insufficient in reversing various cancers. Beyond dietary change, additional factors must be looked at and be taken into consideration. These include exposure to environmental toxins, genetic pre-disposition, emotional and psychological issues, habitual and addictive behaviors, adherence to traditional and/or religious customs, economic influences and so on; in short anything and everything that affects one's life - which means our total environment. Macrobiotics is not just concerned with diet and nutrition but with the influence and effects of our total environment of which diet is only a part. Many who believe they are following macrobiotics by only adopting a rigid vegan diet without considering these larger influences are really not fully incorporating the dynamic principles of change and balance.

In the end, the presentation of macrobiotics as a therapy for cancer is one of mixed and confusing signals. While there are many incredible recovery stories, others were unable to reverse their disease. In addition, conventional medicine and skeptics have been quick to denounce the "macrobiotic diet" as an unproven method that is potentially more harmful then helpful (as strict a vegetarian diet). So then, how does one wade through these conflicting signals to find clarity?

In my blog I explain the irrelevancy of the question of whether a "macrobiotic diet" can be proven or not and how what can be proven is the influence and effectiveness of specific food items such as meat, whole grains and fresh vegetables. For this there is plenty of scientific research and evidence with more and more coming out every year. All of these research studies coincide with the conclusions of Ohsawa and Kushi that, generally speaking, the most optimal human diet is one that is less focused on animal foods and instead is centered around whole grains and fresh vegetables.

Cancer is also a very complex disease. There are many different types of cancers, each of which have different causes and symptoms. Because of the diversity of various cancers then, in accordance with macrobiotic principles of balance, dietary recommendations will vary for different types of cancer. For example, tomatoes can help to balance prostate cancer but will make leukemia, skin and breast cancer worse. These variations are outlined in Michio Kushi's book, "The Cancer Prevention Diet" and also, "The Macrobiotic Path To Total Health." Because cancer is varied and because the macrobiotic approach involves specific diets that are tailored to each individual, then to scientifically "prove" that macrobiotics is helpful for cancer is practically impossible.

In one sense, the position of skeptics that a "macrobiotic diet" has no evidence to cure cancer is correct because they are referring to a rigid and set diet, not one that is flexible and changes according to individual need. The skeptics do not understand that in macrobiotics, for example, if a person lacks nutrients found only in animal foods then that person should eat animal foods. Conversely, if a person suffers from a condition resulting from of eating too much animal food, then the macrobiotic approach would be for him to reduce or eliminate all animal food for a period of time and perhaps increase consumption of, for example raw salads. This flexibility and dynamism with macrobiotics is difficult to explain in one easy sound-bite and is therefore misrepresented in the news as a rigid and limiting diet. Meanwhile, many cancer patients who actually do discover and study the dynamic approach of macrobiotics continue to reverse their conditions successfully.

Additional resources for further study:

Books:

The Art Of Prolonging Life – Christoph Wilhelm Hufeland (full text online)
You Are All Sunpaku – George Ohsawa and William Dufty
Zen Macrobiotics – George Ohsawa
The Book Of Macrobiotics – Michio Kushi
Sugar Blues – William Dufty
Diet For A Small Planet – Frances Moore Lappe
The Cancer Prevention Diet – Michio Kushi
Aveline Kushi’s Complete Guide To Macrobiotic Cooking – Aveline Kushi
One Peace World – Michio Kushi
Diet For A New America – John Robbins
The Macrobiotic Path To Total Health – Michio Kushi
The China Study – T. Colin Campbell

Websites And Schools:
The Kushi institute
The Macrobiotic Guide
Institute for Integrative Nutrition
The Strengthening Health Institute
Macrobiotics America
Macrobiotics New England
The China Study: Plant Based Nutrition
Physician Committee for Responsible Medicine

Some of the many research studies showing the benefits of a whole grain, plant-based diet:

The China Study
Adoption of a plant-based diet by patients with recurrent prostate cancer.
Diet and lifestyle recommendations revision 2006: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee.
Dietary patterns and breast cancer recurrence and survival among women with early-stage breast cancer.

Active and Recommended Macrobiotic Counselors in the US:
Denny Waxman
Warren Kramer
David Briscoe

Macrobiotics & Cancer: Part I

2009-04-06T15:42:00.000-07:00

We are very excited to introduce our guest blogger, Phiya Kushi, who is sharing a two-part series on the Macrobiotic Diet. Phiya is the former Executive Director of the Kushi Institute in Massachusetts and third son of macrobiotic and natural food pioneers, Michio and Aveline Kushi. He has spent his entire working life involved in macrobiotic endeavors, including the launch of the first nation-wide organic food association in Japan and spoke on behalf of the Japanese organic industry at the United Nations organization, the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements.

During his time at the Kushi Institue, Phiya led and coordinated the macrobiotic best case series presetnted to the National Cancer Institute, hosted and conducted health seminars around the country, and redefined the meaning of "macrobiotics".

Phiya is currently involved in producing a documentary film on macrobiotics and life of his parents, and has started an online publishing company, Kushi Publishing. He also shares his love and knowledge for macrobiotics on his personal blog. You can find him on Facebook and Twitter.

Part I: What is a macrobiotic diet?

There is no such thing as a "macrobiotic diet'. Diet commonly refers to something that is limiting and restrictive-- completely opposite of macrobiotics. There are no taboo foods in macrobiotics and whatever human beings have eaten since the beginning of their appearance on earth is included in the macrobiotic diet. So the question What is a macrobiotic diet? really should be: What is the optimal diet for all of humanity?

First, it is important to understand that macrobiotics is really about change, balance and living in harmony with the natural environment. It is based on the view that we are influenced by our environment externally and internally; in causal and transformative ways. Food, including all the things we ingest: air, vibrations, etc., is the mechanism that allows us to transform ourselves in order to adapt to our environment. When we eat food we are eating the essence of the environment which created that food, and we transform ourselves with it. If we understand our relationship to our environment in this way, then we can begin to see that we are and have always been the product of environment through the foods that we ate throughout the history of humanity. We can also begin to see that our bodies and all of its characteristics have been gradually evolving overtime according to the changes in natural environment reflected in the foods that humanity has consumed over time. By examining our human physical traits we should be able to understand what foods were consumed that made us human.

Based on this view George Ohsawa and Michio Kushi concluded that whole cereal grains have been humanity's primary food followed by vegetables and some animal food. The ratios of these types of food to each other are shown, for example, by the type of teeth that an adult human has in his mouth. There are 32 teeth, four of which are canine for eating meat, the rest are incisors for cutting vegetables and pre-molars and molars for grinding seeds and grains. The ratio of animal to plant food ideal for human consumption is therefore concluded to 4:28 or 1:7 with the dominant portion of plant material to be grains and seeds. Based on this Michio proceeded to outline a "standard macrobiotic diet" or a whole grain-centered, plant based diet.

When this "standard macrobiotic diet" was presented many mistakenly believed this to be "the" macrobiotic diet, one that pretty much avoided or excluded all animal foods and dairy products. In reality, no foods are taboo in macrobiotics including animal foods, which are portioned into much smaller ratios than is normally consumed today. These dietary ratios of different foods were reflected in a pyramid-style presentation that Michio later created and can been seen here. However, the original “standard macrobiotic diet” gave the impression that macrobiotics was a rigid and fixed diet instead of its real intention, to show the optimal diet for humanity.

Furthermore, those suffering from chronic illnesses resulting from consuming too many animal and dairy foods (which happen to be the majority of Americans) were recommended to not eat such foods. This helped further the myth of a "macrobiotic diet" that was limiting and avoided all animal foods save for the consumption of the occasional fish. But in truth, macrobiotic dietary recommendations vary according to the condition and situation of each individual. Information presented in books and pamphlets on macrobiotics did not help to alter this perception.

The best way to understand the dietary suggestions that both George Ohsawa and Michio Kushi recommended is to describe it as a proposed diet for all of humanity; based on a biological, evolutionary, environmental theory of foods that created and sustained humans since their arrival on earth. This theory proposes that the diet most suitable for maintenance and continued evolution for all of humanity is a plant-based one with whole cereal grains as the main staple food. All other foods, including all animal foods are not excluded but are second to grains. In addition, diets should vary according to geography, climate, season and personal need and condition. The macrobiotic approach is not a specific diet, but a theoretical system based on maintaining harmony with the ever-changing environment, with food being the transformative tool.

Additionally, foods can be further modified through cooking and processing methods. The application of fire, grinding, pressure, time, salt, water, oil and other culinary methods can transform the nature of the foods we eat, making them more edible and suitable to the climates we live in. The art of balanced cuisine-- macrobiotic cuisine-- is simple and two-fold. It is, first and foremost, to make all foods edible and suitable to our environment and second, to prepare them according to our own personal needs. In this way, a skilled macrobiotic chef can, theoretically, take any food item and transform it into something that will support the balancing of an individual. The art of macrobiotic cuisine is not one with only a limited set of ingredients, but instead is one where the challenge is to transform any and all foods into something balanced and beneficial. It is the greatest challenge and art for any chef to take on.

The dietary application according to macrobiotic principles is the complete opposite in meaning to the popular notion of the word "diet" which is limiting, restrictive and rigid. It is, instead, about learning how to incorporate, play with and balance any food item in a way that addresses individual needs while also promoting the health and development of humanity.

Tomorrow: Part II on the Macrobiotic and Cancer Connection

Yoga Bear caught in action!

2009-04-04T17:05:00.000-07:00

I came across this photo and couldn't resist. How cute!

Sincerity: Living Your Yoga

2009-04-03T17:16:00.000-07:00

"Beautify your tongues, O people. with truthfulness, and adorn your souls with the ornament of honesty. Beware, O people, that ye deal not treacherously with anyone." -Writings of Baha'u'llah

The topic of sincerity has been coming up a lot lately and what I have to come to realize is that SINCERITY TRULY IS A VIRTUE. When we do anything in life, there can only be fulfillment when our hearts and thoughts are aligned and when we know that we can be relied upon not to lie, cheat, or steal. A sincere person says what they mean and means what they say with no other ulterior motive. A sincere person if they seem friendly, really are FRIENDLY and do not appear to be your friend for any other hidden reason or motivation. A sincere person can be relied upon to behave integrally and to be the same person at home, as they are in public or in their intimate friendships and relationships.

Sincere people are wonderful people to have in your life because you know that they will tell you it like it is and they will not say something merely to impress you. Sincerity is when a person tells the truth even if it may mean disappointing someone else. In sincere relationships, actions match words and people are living integrally.

By Nicole Reed

Recession-proof your health

2009-04-02T17:19:00.000-07:00

Create lists. Reduce your impulse buying with a grocery list, and stick to the list. When you are hungry, don't shop. Keep your attention on the perimeter of the store where the fresh produce and foods are. Processed and packaged foods are in the middle.

Be a smart snacker. Junk foods are low on nutrition and high in calories. Whole foods are also more satisfying, so you tend to eat less.

Bulk it. Most staple foods, like brown rice and olive oil, can be stored for a while. Buy them when they're on sale and buy in bulk. Store olive oil in the refrigerator.

Grow your own. Start a garden. Vegetables such as tomatoes or zucchini are both easy to grow. Plant a fruit tree in your yard. Herbs and some vegetables also grow well in pots. Or, visit farmers' markets.

Cook for the distance. Make dishes like soup, chili, or stew that can be served later and frozen if needed. You can pack theses dishes for lunch.

Adios, espresso! Bypass the coffee shops and brew your own cup of joe. Or better yet, switch to Green Tea which is better for you and less expensive.

Kick the bottle. Filter tap water instead of buying bottled water...simple to do!

Get moving! Running, walking and hiking are fun activities to get your heart pumping, while having fun with your friends. The bonus: it doesn't cost a dime!

By Nicole Reed, Director of Southern California Chapter of Yoga Bear

Mt. Sinai and Yoga Bear to Expand Hospital Yoga Program

2009-04-01T12:48:00.000-07:00

We are honored and pleased to announce that our program at Mt. Sinai will be expanding. Since 2008, Yoga Bear has organized volunteer instructors to teach yoga at the hospital. Because of the positive response we've received, we'll be adding another volunteer instructor to the program.

We'd like to recognize the incredibly dedicated and passionate people supporting this program. On a $0 budget, they have made everything possible through donating their time, efforts, and love.

Sandra Gilbert, RYT is the instructor, an Integral Yoga teacher who focuses on working with people with cancer, as well as cardiac and pulmonary disease. She is a graduate as well as the teacher coordinator for Adaptive Yoga for People with Cancer Training. Her other advanced training includes Cancer Guides through the Center for Mind Body Medicine.

Michelle Robbins is the Director of Yoga Bear's NYC Chapter. She has been coordinating the entire event, from recruiting volunteers to finding yoga mats for the students--- all while applying to graduate school.

Alison Snow, LCSW is the Mt. Sinai social worker and coordinator who worked with Yoga Bear to make this program possible. Through her diligent efforts, she has helped market and coordinate the program to cancer patients at Mt. Sinai.

We'd also like to welcome our new volunteer instructor for the program, Karen Yat, RN. After surviving two bouts of cancer, Karen decided to become a certified Yoga Practitioner to share integrated healing with newly diagnosed and recovering cancer patients. She has been a professional nurse for over twenty years, working in psychiatry, transplantation, and oncology . A NYC native, Karen has a bachelor's Degree in Psychology in addition to her RYT in Hatha/Therapeutic Yoga and Nursing Degrees.

Finally, this program would not be possible without the generous donation from Big Apple Power Yoga, who donated 20 brand new lululemon yoga mats.

Ask and you shall receive: Information-seeking patients more likely to receive information (and therapies)

2009-04-01T07:17:00.000-07:00

By Jane Sarasohn-Kahn of Health Populi

Four in 10 cancer patients sought information via the Internet, according to a new study to be published in the April 1, 2009, issue of the peer-reviewed journal, Cancer.

The downside of information-seeking cancer patients, according to the study, is that 1 in 4 of these patients received the drugs off-label -- that is, for a use not approved by the FDA. In these cases, the cancer drugs have been used for patients in both late and early stages of cancer-- the latter for which a drug might not be approved for use.

The study looked at the relationship between information-seeking and awareness of therapies targeted to colorectal cancer patients. The hypothesis was that information-seeking patients who ask their physicians about cancer drugs would be more likely to receive them than patients who don't look for health information.

The outcome: information-seeking patients for colorectal cancer therapies were 2.83 times more likely to have heard about the therapies -- and 3.22 times more likely to receive these therapies -- than people who don't seek information.

The study was based on 633 colorectal cancer patients registered in the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry, focusing on their information-seeking habits and the specific therapies of Avastin and Erbitux.

The paper, Colon cancer patient information seeking and the adoption of targeted therapy for on-label and off-label indications, will be published in today's issue of Cancer.

Incorporating color therapy into your life

2009-03-31T09:49:00.000-07:00

By: Lara Endreszl of HealthNews

The holistic belief dating back centuries from countries such as India, China, and Egypt, is that each separate color wavelength corresponds with a certain energy which can be positive or negative. Each of the seven colors matches up to the seven main energies of the body, also known as chakras. Since complementary and alternative medicine is all about balance between the energy of the body and the earth as well as the spiritual world, the chakras must all be lined up in order for health to be optimum inside the body. If each color is assigned a different region of the body, naturally color therapy would help to stimulate the chakras to align and recreate harmony.

For example, here are some of the primary “rainbow” colors, followed by their main focus physically and psychologically, as well as a few symptoms or conditions it may help:

RED – life strength, stimulation, sexuality; red represents the fire of passion as well as anger as well as the circulation of the blood; red can be irritating or exciting or powerful; anemia, pneumonia, and paralysis can all be treated with red.

GREEN – balance, calm, progress; green is soothing and reflects natural growth and healing and can be both beneficial and tiring; green enlightens friendships and peace and hope as well as love and can also be an aphrodisiac; green is also the color of inexperience and youth and represents envy and jealousy; green can treat colds, asthma, malaria, and ulcers.

BLUE – communication, willpower, peace, and faith; blue can stimulate metabolism, slow the heart, and be used as an antiseptic; blue like water is cooling and emotionally calming and therefore helpful in meditation as well as conflict mediation and relaxing the mind; blue quiets the rest of the other energies in the body in order to treat epilepsy, glaucoma, headache, and various throat troubles as it is specifically associated with the throat chakra.

The best way to incorporate color into your life as part of color therapy is to surround yourself with nice things that you associate with positive thoughts or memories or bright colors that can brighten your day. For example, use softer lights in your home instead of fluorescent, use colored lights in certain parts of your house or colored lampshade, use paint to spruce up your walls, and always remember that natural colors are the best for keeping a calm energy flow throughout the space. If you rent your place and cannot use paint, wallpaper, or install different light fixtures, focus instead on decorative items like pillows, bedding, curtains, or your closet.

Whether it’s a lava lamp, mood lighting, a black light, the color of your shower curtain or wall paint, the colors of the things we surround ourselves with matters because it conveys the mood we are in when purchasing or the mood that we want to be in upon seeing/wearing/using that object. Color therapy may seem like a bogus, out-of-left-field holistic idea, but take a look at your wardrobe, your friend’s house, or your favorite restaurant and note people’s moods and behaviors; you may just be surprised at what you notice.

Help fight breast cancer... without spending a dime

2009-03-30T10:23:00.000-07:00

Listen up ladies! People are always asking me how they can help (thank you). And I usually respond by telling them to spread the word to more survivors, get their studios to make donations, donate $5, join our Facebook group, etc.. All these things are wonderful ways to help Yoga Bear...

But you know how you could really help? Really make a difference in the overall mission of eradicating (breast) cancer? Take part in current research studies. From studies on genetic risk factors to using breast milk to screen risk, any female (not in treatment) can help researchers discover ways to prevent breast cancer.

We're encouraging all women-- including breast cancer survivors and those who have never had the disease-- to join the Army of Women. Love/Avon is currently recruiting one million women to be support research to prevent breast cancer. Learn more and sign up here.

One in four hospitals offer complementary medicine

2009-03-30T09:32:00.000-07:00

According to the American Hospital Association, one in four US hospitals now offers therapies in complementary and alternative medicine to address growing demand. In fact, all 18 hospitals on the U.S. News and World Report's "Best Hospitals" list provide some form of it.

The number of holistic providers and practitioners who offer these types of therapies is expected to double in the next 10 years, predicts the American Hospital Association.

Certain types of integrative therapies can help hospitals -- and patients -- cut down on expensive procedures, Dr. Palmer MacKie, medical director of the Integrative Pain Center at Wishard Health Services, told the Indy Star.

If someone having outpatient surgery can undergo a 15-minute relaxation process, such as guided imagery, meditation or hypnosis, MacKie said, that may reduce anxiety and allow the patient to go through post-operative recovery more quickly with less medication.

"Success of integrative medicine is based on the patient's ability to adopt the practices and live a healthy lifestyle," MacKie said. "It's not based on a pill bottle or needle."

Rock & Run on the River

2009-03-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

YOGABEAR will be partnering with Memorial Sloan-Kettering this summer for their annual Rock & Run on the River 5k Run/Walk on June 7th.

Rock & Run on the River, is a 5K run/walk and celebration with live music and food, to celebrate life beyond cancer. The event focuses on Survivorship and the ongoing treatment that is needed both physically and mentally for survivors and their families post cancer treatment.

A focal point of the post-race celebration is a Cool Down Lounge, featuring fitness classes and massages. YOGABEAR will providing two twenty minute yoga classes in the cool down lounge. If you're in the NYC Metropolitan area, we hope you can join us for this amazing event.

Kind words from a Yoga Bear participant

2009-03-27T16:31:00.000-07:00

Seeing that everyone behind Yoga Bear is unpaid, the best payment we can receive is knowing that the Yoga Bear participants are happy and enjoying their classes. We recently received a testimonial from Janet in Washington D.C., who has been with Yoga Bear since October.

On her experience with yoga:
Yoga has been very helpful in relieving the psychological and emotional stress of the cancer experience, as well as helping to deal with the effects of the physical therapies. It has helped me to relax, to deal with the nausea and fatigue of chemotherapy, and to simply not feel so sorry for myself. The exercises helped rehabilitate my arm and shoulder after lymph node surgery. Yoga is now helping to mitigate the effects of chemotherapy-induced menopause, particularly the mood swings and hot flashes.

On her experience with YOGABEAR:
The best part of Yoga Bear is the feeling of support and generosity. It was like receiving a present after all the awfulness of the cancer therapy. I am very aware that others have suffered and are suffering far worse than I did and it would be wonderful if every one of them could be given the gift of yoga.

Yoga Bear Expands in FLORIDA

2009-03-27T11:21:00.000-07:00

Help us get the word out to survivors in FLORIDA!

YOGABEAR has partnered with SIX incredible studios in Florida, from the Fort Lauderdale Area to Gainesville. Cancer survivors interested in receiving free yoga classes through Yoga Bear are encouraged to apply here.

Charity Tees (only 5 left!)

2009-03-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

[Limited Edition] Yoga Bear Tees for Charity This long
sleeve tee with a cute hood has a hand-sewn green bear on the
front. It's 50% cotton, 50% polyester and soft as can be. The shirt
itself cost us $29 (tag is still on), we sewed on the bear and are
selling them as a fundraiser! 100% of the proceeds will benefit YB
and our mission to bring more opportunities of health and wellness
to cancer survivors.

Give Birth to Your Future with a Positive Mind

2009-03-26T09:20:00.000-07:00

"You must give birth to your images. They are the future waiting to be born."
Ranier Maria Rilke

"I hate myself."

"I'm so stupid.”

"I can't do anything right."

When life doesn't go quite right, do you ever find yourself spewing these types of negative thoughts out loud or even as a kind of mantra you repeat in your mind? Have you ever stopped to think what kind of affect your negative self talk could have on every single cell of your body? But wait, it's not just the negative things you say to yourself, your body will respond with a weakened immune system to any negative energies around us...if we let it. This is the negative side of the Mind-Body Connection.

The term Mind-Body Connection is not just a phrase used to sell books. There's solid science behind the words.

One of the leading scientists on the Mind-Body Connection is neurobiologist David Felten. Dr. Felten tells us, "Our grandmothers knew all along that our minds and our bodies were connected, even if the scientific community didn't. We've simply provided irrefutable data showing that it's true."

To Felten's surprise, at Indiana University School of Medicine in 1981, he and his team of researchers discovered a hard-wire connection between the body's immune system and the central nervous system under control of the brain. Using special fluorescent stains, Felton's team traced nerves to different locations in the body; including bone marrow, lymph nodes, and the spleen.

Incredibly, Felten discovered a network of nerves leading to blood vessels as well as cells of the immune system! The researchers also found nerves in the thymus and spleen which ended near clusters of lymphocytes, macrophages, and mast cells, all of which help control immune function.

So there it was, the Mind-Body Connection. Felten's team had produced clear evidence that the brain has the ability to send signals to immune system cells.

This discovery gives you one very big reason to be careful about what you say to yourself, the types of people you choose to associate with and what types of things you do to bring joy into your life. Please be sure to give your Mind-Body connection the attention it deserves. You must give birth to the healthy, productive life you want through the images you create in your mind. Your mind's eye is indeed a part of creating the future you desire.

Plus, it's just one more reason to listen to Grandma!

Guest Blog Post By Shane Shirley Smith
with Environmental Health-Wellness-Beauty, LLC

Living room yoga is underrated!

2009-03-25T07:21:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered an used Amazon gift certificate that I had been given for Christmas and decided to indulge myself. Work has (as usual) been crazy lately and I have not been able to attend the yoga classes at my local gym that I usually go to. Armed with my certificate, I purchased a series of yoga DVDs not thinking that they would be that great, but would suffice in a pinch.

Last night I set myself up in my living room/new yoga studio, and pressed play on my new DVDs. Boy was I in for a shock! Not only were the instructions very clear and poses well demonstrated, they were a really good workout! Within minutes I had worked up a sweat, and felt like I had experienced a good session by the end of the 30 minute class.

Trying to save money? There are tons of way to do yoga at home without spending a dime! Check out online yoga or learn some poses on our YouTube channel.

I still don’t think anything can replace my wonderful kundalini yoga instructor permanently (her soothing voice and breathing techniques do wonders for me) but during a cold Boston winter there is a lot to be said for living room yoga!

By: Katherine Osgood

Prostate cancer screenings

2009-03-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday the New England Journal of Medicine published the largest ever study of prostate cancer screening, which found that a national screening program can cut deaths from prostate cancer by as much as 20%.

Following these findings, UK ministers asked Parliament to consider instituting a national prostate cancer screening program. A reduction of deaths from prostate cancer by 20% would save 2,000 lives a year in the UK.

The Guardian reports:

‘Health minister Ann Keen said she had asked the UK national screening committee to review the evidence. "We look forward to examining this new evidence and are committed to having a prostate cancer screening program if and when screening and treatment techniques are sufficiently well developed," she said.’

Critics of a national screening program state that screening techniques in the UK are not advanced enough, and cannot distinguish between a cancer that poses a serious risk to a man’s health and one that will have little effect on him during his lifetime. Prostate cancer surgery can leave men with impotency and incontinency problems, and so some critics feel surgery should only be performed in serious risk cases.

My own father was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago and underwent surgery. He is now back to full health and has had none of the side effects. His cancer was only detected because of a health screening that he requested. Without this screening he might not be with me today.

By: Katherine Osgood

When Do I Tell Her?

2009-03-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

This is an excerpt from Jasan Zimmerman's piece in Cure magazine. Jasan is a 3-time survivor and on the Board of Advisors for Yoga Bear.

So, when should I tell a woman who I’m romantically interested in about my long, storied medical history? There’s no easy answer.
Everyone has some skeletons in the closet, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to expose them to someone when you first meet them. You’ll never hear me say, “Hi, I’m Jasan, and I’m a cancer survivor.” But when should the bombshell drop? There’s much more of an art to it.
If a woman opens up and shares some of her trials and tribulations, it makes it easier for me to share. But there’s no easy way to introduce the topic. I pay lots of attention to what she says to see if I can segue easily into my story.
My long-standing fear is that I’ll scare a woman away with the revelation about my medical history, so I’m sometimes more inclined to bring the subject up fairly early in the relationship, at least within the first month or so. That way, if it ends the relationship, it’s too early for me to get hurt as much.

Acupuncture relieves pain for cancer patients

2009-03-23T05:11:00.000-07:00

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Acupuncture can be used to help relieve the pain of cancer patients, as well as the nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy, a leading acupuncturist said on Monday.

"China has been using acupuncture as a form of anaesthesia for 2,600 years," said Wang Caihong of Shanghai University's Traditional Chinese Medicine Institute, adding that the technique had an extremely long and well-tested history in China.

"Nausea is caused by a blockage in circulation and acupuncture can relieve that," she added.

Wang is part of a team of Chinese doctors who are helping to set up an acupuncture centre for cancer patients in Hong Kong's Prince of Wales Hospital.

Wang told Reuters that acupuncture could also be helpful to relieve all sorts of pain and conditions such as trauma.

"It should be able to help other patients too in many other branches of medicine," she said.

An increasing number of studies and clinical trials in recent years in Western countries have shown that acupuncture may actually work better than painkillers for people with chronic headache or those who are recovering from major surgeries such as those for head and neck cancer.

Wang said that acupuncture worked best in relieving pain that was just moderate.

"For pain that is moderate, acupuncture is definitely helpful, but for extreme pain, painkillers may be necessary too," she added.

More research needed in the area of Survivorship & reducing recurrence

2009-03-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

We hear a lot these days about the steps we can take to reduce our risk of getting cancer.

Don't eat splenda! Eat splenda! Stay out of the sun! Stop smoking! No drinking! Only white wine! Only red wine! No red meat! All these messages, often conflicting one another, we're told will reduce the risk of getting cancer.

But what about the 1-in-3 of us who have already had cancer... do we follow the same guidelines? Stricter ones? Different ones?

A leading cancer expert is calling for more research into issues of survivorship and how to prevent cancer recurring in those who have already had it.

Prof Martin Wiseman, Medical and Scientific Adviser for the World Cancer Research Fund, says the lack of quality research on the subject makes it hard to give people nutritional and lifestyle advice once they have already battled the disease.

He told the Mirror: "There has been a vast amount of research over the last 10 years on the nutritional factors that cause or protect people from cancer, but there have not been enough that has focused on what sort of lifestyle choice people who have already had the disease can make to reduce their chances of it recurring.

With 11 million survivors in the US alone, this hole in our knowledge urgently needs to be addressed.

Study confirms our beliefs: yoga benefits women with breast cancer

2009-03-19T11:38:00.000-07:00

A study just published in the journal Psycho-Oncology, researchers concluded that yoga resulted in a 50% reduction in depression and a 12% increase in feelings of peace and meaning in women with breast cancer.

In the randomized study of 44 women with breast cancer, those who did yoga found to have improvements in mental health including depression, positive emotions, and spirituality (defined as feeling calm and peaceful). In fact, the scientists found that women who started the yoga classes with higher negative emotions and lower emotional well-being experienced the most benefits from the Restorative Yoga class. In addition, the women demonstrated a significant improvement in fatigue symptoms.

Suzanne Danhauer, PhD, headed the Wake Forest University School of Medicine research team and says "Given the high levels of stress and distress that many women with breast cancer experience, the opportunity to experience feeling more peaceful and calm in the midst of breast cancer is a significant benefit."

New study links religion and cancer treatment

2009-03-18T12:26:00.000-07:00

According to a new study published in the latest edition of JAMA, the Journal of American Medical Association, religion can play a vital role in which types of treatment cancer patients choose.

The study found that those who are more religious are three times more likely to accept mechanical ventilation and intensive life-prolonging care.

"Religious copers may choose aggressive therapies because they believe that God could use the therapy to provide divine healing, or they hope for a miraculous cure while intensive medical care prolongs life," the study authors wrote.

It's difficult to understand why those who are religious would prefer more intensive care, although one could draw many conclusions. However, the study is flawed in that it looks at "religion", when in fact most of the 345 patients in the study were Christian. I'd be curious to find out breakdowns between Atheist, Islam, Jewish, etc.. with a larger sample size.

Let's be GREEN today!

2009-03-17T13:55:00.001-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!

In honor of this day, we wanted to share 3 easy ways to be green:

1.Go outside and practice in the grass. Enjoy mother earth and fresh air as you stretch and bend your body.

2. Eat your veggies! Enjoy some locally grown greens: broccoli, green beans, or spinach.

3. Take a shorter shower. Better yet, share a shower with a loved one!

Back Bend for Compassion

2009-03-17T04:03:00.000-07:00

By Rina Abonnat

For someone who has been practicing yoga for eight years, I hear this statement a lot: "you must be able to do the splits and stand on your head!" Sorry folks, I am no yoga superstar.

Usually the first image that comes to mind when hearing the term "yoga" is a flawless body contorted in an unfathomable pose. These images which are so popularized by magazine photos and the media are really just the tip of the yoga iceberg. It takes a keen mind and heart to realize that the foundational beauty lays below the surface of the yoga waters, and this is where 99.9% of yogi/yoginis swim.

Anyone can “do” yoga because yoga isn't about bending backwards and mastering the splits. Rather it’s about having the patience and integrity to give yourself compassion in your practice. If one can figuratively bend over backwards to be compassionate to themselves in their practice of yoga it will be a rewarding and fulfilling journey.

Here are some lovely reminders I like to tell myself before I begin my practice when I find that my ego tries to take over. I hope you find at least one helpful to you.

Yoga can not be diluted down to just the poses (asanas), remember that there are so many aspects that make up yoga, find the aspect that most appeals to you and develop yourself in that area. Everyone has their talent that will shine!

Kissing your asana edge with compassionate grace. Every body is different in build, strength, muscular structure and flexibility. It is wise to know your own physical limitation and remember to listen with large ears to your body’s voice. Bring your respect to the pose, begin in the first degree of a pose and allow your body to become comfortable there before deciding to move gently deeper. Always remember that whatever level you are at, it is still a perfect expression of that pose. There is no yoga law that states you have to perform every asana at the extreme expression of its form. Your physical safety is of utmost importance.

Incorporate the wise characteristic of compassion (ahimsa), mentally. Open your practice with the attitude of having self compassion. The first step in this process is to reprogram our minds. Put a halt to the negative commentary in the mind when you notice it arising. There is a tendency for our mind to say, “you’re not good enough”, “you don’t look the way you ought to”. And the list can go on. Changing the familiar negative patterns of thought with attitudes of self-acceptance and self approval will enrich your practice. With patience your mind will begin to shift from the “I should” to actually being in the moment and enjoying the experience. Having mental compassion will help you to appreciate the fact that you are indeed doing your best.

The next time someone says, "I wish I could do yoga but I am not flexible enough," you will know exactly how to respond because a you know that a little compassion goes a long way.

Partner Yoga stregthens relationships

2009-03-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

We're fond of partner yoga and often host events where survivors can bring their caregivers for a class of union, connectedness, and peace.

Psychology Today recently published an article about the psycho-social benefits of doing yoga with a loved one (be that family member, friend, or lover).

"Partner yoga is the medium to building stronger communication and intimacy between human beings in any relationship," explains Cain Carroll, co-author of Partner Yoga: Making Contact for Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Growth. "Postures and flow sequences are designed to bring communication into a tangible, physical form, and help you witness the dynamic of relationships."

The simple act of breathing together and participating in a practice grounded in acceptance, unity and love translates to more productive, open and caring communication between partners.

The practice also re-establishes weakened bonds, because on the mat, partners must have complete faith in each other. "You rely on each other for the very creation of poses," says Carroll. "Postures are dependent on two people showing up for one another and giving equal effort. It's a great metaphor for the nut and bolt aspect of all relationships."

Here's one partner pose: the Heart Opener

1. Partner 1 sits upright, legs extended forward. Partner 2 kneels with his or her back touching Partner 1's.

2. Partner 2 bends forward into Child's Pose.

3. Partner 1 exhales and lies gently on Partner 2's back, keeping legs together or slightly apart.

4. Partners stretch their arms to their sides and touch each other's hands.

5. Partner 2 gently presses Partner 1's arms toward the floor. Hold for up to a minute or two.

6. Switch positions and repeat. This pose gives the child the feeling of being supported and loved, as well as being the supporter. (If there is a big weight difference, parents shouldn't lay all their weight on their children.)

Mushrooms and green tea lower breast cancer risk?

2009-03-15T09:40:00.000-07:00

A recent study of 2,018 women in China (half of those women with breast cancer), concluded that mushrooms and green tea may lower risk of breast cancer. In fact, among those who ate 10 grams of mushrooms daily were two thirds less likely to develop cancer than those who did not. And those who ate mushrooms and drank green tea had only 11-18% of the breast cancer risk of women who consumed neither.

The study was conducted by Dr. Min Zhang of the University of Western Austrailia, and was the first study linking these foods and a lower risk of breast cancer. More research is needed, but researchers say the link is biologically possible.

In light of this news, I wanted to share one of my favorite (easy) recipes: Japanese Green Tea Noodle Stir Fry with Mushrooms. It takes about 10 minutes to prepare, and is delicious and healthy!

Ingredients:

- Japanese Green Tea Noodles

- Chopped garlic

- 1 tablespoon olive oil

- Your favorite mushrooms (mine are enoki, bailing, or oyster)

- Seasoning-- salt, white pepper, black pepper

Cook the noodles until soft. Heat up the olive oil on a pan and stir fry the garlic and mushrooms. Add the noodles and seasoning to the pan. Serve with hot green tea!

Thinking about Yoga? Don’t be intimidated!

2009-03-14T10:53:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Yoga Bear's newest blogger (and our official Social Media Coordinator), Katherine! A kundalini yogi, Katherine is originally from England and moved to the US after living and studying in Cairo, Egypt. Katherine currently works for Horizons for Homeless Children, a non profit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts.

I was always intimidated by yoga. My impression of a yoga class was always super fit, slim women with all the right clothes and equipment, bending their bodies into shapes I was convinced my body was not built for. There was no way my legs were going to be able to bend past my head!

I spent three years as a boxer when I was at university. As you can imagine, boxing was a challenge and after fighting many tough opponents (as well as experiencing a lot of blood, sweat and tears) and a few nasty hospital visits I decided that it was time to treat my body with more respect. One of my friends suggested going to a yoga class and after a lot of thought I finally agreed – with some trepidation. Why would a boxer be intimidated by yoga?? Well boxers are used to ducking and weaving, but that is about as far as our real flexibility goes!

Despite my reservations, my friend and I went a long to our local community center and enrolled in a six week course of ashtanga yoga. I had no idea what ashtanga meant, or what it would involve, but took the plunge and went in.

My yoga teacher looked nothing like I expected. He was a man, in his sixties, with a big white beard. He wore an old tattered t-shirt and jogging shorts. He was also very very encouraging and supportive (literally and figuratively!). The other students in the class were not size zero super women, but women (and men) from all walks of life, in all different shapes and sizes, and of varying skill levels.

I confess my first lesson was hard – my body could not hold any of the poses and constantly shook - but after one lesson I knew it; I was hooked. At the end of the six weeks my body and mind had changed. I could see that my shoulders had become less bulky and more lean, and I was immeasurably more flexible – I had turned into one of those women who could put their legs behind their head! I also felt a renewed sense of calm, confidence and had a developed a better attitude towards my body – which I am now careful to look after. I have been an avid yoga fan ever since!

Tips for doing yoga with youngsters

2009-03-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

Yoga can be a great way to connect to children and promote health early-on. Our guest blogger today, Rina Abonnat is a yoga instructor in San Francisco. She is also a cardiac RN and is interested in bringing yoga into the Pediatric Oncology wards. She is sharing strategies for doing yoga with youngsters.

I remember my first kids yoga job, it was in a great preschool setting. I taught one class, ages 18 months to 2 years old and a second class, 3 to 5 years of age. Each class was only 25 minutes in length and full of energy!

From my personal experience working in different class settings and from the training classes I have received, here are some tips that you may find helpful when teaching yoga to your children or in a classroom setting.

1. Be creative with the poses. It helps if you make stories, scenarios, themes around poses to engage the children's imagination, they will have fun and you will too! For example you can use the scenario of walking through the woods or flying through space. Don't worry too much about it all making sense, I have found that kids will go with the creativity even if you are having them reach for the sun then painting rainbows before becoming a monkey.

2. Ask questions. Kids love to be involved. For instance while doing the butterfly asana with the children you can ask them all sorts of fun questions like: "What color are your wings?" or "Where are you going to fly to?". You can have them flap their 'wings' at different paces if their butterfly is flying fast or slow. Try to use every opportunity to make the pose come to life.

3. Keep the pace moving. By keeping the motion flowing it will sustain the childrens' attention. It is very difficult for the young ones to hold poses for long periods of time, since they love to wiggle. You may find that the amount of poses you do in your kids class greatly varies from an adult class, so don't be surprised if you go through 10-20 poses in one class session.

4. Play games. Games are great because they give variety to the traditional yoga poses as well as keeping the children moving in a healthy way. You can either tell the children it is time to play a yoga game if you find their minds wandering or you can sneak it in there to mix up the routine without the introduction. Some hits among the kids are:
_ Leap frog (have them leap and make sounds around the room or in place)
_ Yoga says ('yoga say' do triangle, the kids then demonstrate that pose)
_ Yoga telephone (exactly like the game telephone but substituting a yoga pose, the last child will then demonstrate the pose)

Working with children can be challenging but it is a great experience that is worth it. You may just even find that in the end you sometimes will be the student and the kids the teachers.

Alternative Medicine in Congress

2009-03-11T07:52:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, February 26th, some of the top alternative medicine gurus in the US testified before the senate on how alternative medicine can help solve our health care crisis. Drs. Mehmet Oz, Dean Ornish, Andrew Weil, and Mark Hyman, four of the nation’s most highly respected proponents of natural and integrative medicine, argued before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee about how Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) must be incorporated into the conventional health care system in order to fix it.

These four highly respected physicians explained how alternative medicine, with its focus on disease prevention, is the key to crafting the new health care legislation President Obama is pushing hard to get passed this year. The doctors stressed how our country’s current medical paradigm, with its focus on acute care, is failing miserably in its attempts to address the chronic disease epidemic. You can view each of their testimonies here.

FAQs about Reiki

2009-03-10T07:20:00.000-07:00

We get a lot of questions about Reiki, the healing practice that originated in Japan so we decided to compile some basic info. Do you have experience with Reiki? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Email us at blog@yogabear.org.

How does it work?

Practitioners place their hands lightly on or just above a person, with the goal of evoking the person's healing response. Reiki is based on the idea that unseen life-force energy, which causes humans to be alive, flows through everyone. If life-force energy is low, the theory goes, a person is more likely to get sick or feel stress; if it is high, a person is more capable of being happy and healthy. Reiki practitioners believe they tap into the unlimited supply of life force energy, which flows through their hands to their clients and improves their clients' health.

Can Reiki help people with cancer?

There is no scientific evidence to prove that Reiki can prevent, treat or cure cancer or any other disease. But many healthcare professionals accept Reiki as a useful complementary therapy that may help to lower stress, promote relaxation and possibly help reduce some types of pain.

A Canadian study in 2003 looked at whether Reiki could control pain in people with advanced cancer. People did have a significant reduction in pain after Reiki treatment but the study was small and had only 20 patients..

Has scientific research proven it is effective?

Again, Reiki has not been well-studied scientifically. But research, funded by National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, is under way.

Does it work?

People undergoing reiki may experience a deep state of relaxation or feel warm, tingly, sleepy or refreshed, NCCAM says. The practice appears to be generally safe and without harmful side effects, NCCAM also says.

Where can I get more information?

Go online to the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Sources: National Institutes of Health, The International Center for Reiki

'Winston Man' Dies of Lung Cancer

2009-03-04T09:58:00.000-08:00

Alan Landers, the one-time face of Winston cigarettes, has died at 68 of lung and throat cancer in the middle of a multi-million dollar legal action against his former employers, the Guardian reports. Landers, who was to testify next month, was among about 9,000 Florida smokers suing cigarette companies for failing to warn them of their products’ health risks.

“I was expected to portray smoking as stylish, pleasurable and attractive and at no time was I ever told cigarettes could be dangerous to my health,” Landers said two weeks ago. “Looking back on my career, I am ashamed that I helped promote such a lethal and addictive product.”

According to his website, Landers was scheduled for a fourth round of chemotherapy yesterday.

Five strategies for using mindfulness to improve your health

2009-03-03T07:33:00.000-08:00

Studies have shown that mindfulness, a form of meditation in which you disengage yourself from strong beliefs, thoughts, and emotions, has a positive effect on brain function, lowering the stress response and increasing feelings of relaxation and well-being. It involves being truly present, even during those simple, mundane activities like washing dishes. It can remind you of the "reality of impermanence," Kabat-Zinn writes in his bestselling book Full Catastrophe Living. "Here you are doing the dishes again. How many times have you done the dishes? How many more times will you do them in your life? What is this activity we call doing the dishes? Who is doing them? Why?"

At last week's Institute of Medicine conference on integrative health, he outlined five strategies for using mindfulness to improve one's health and achieve wellness.

1. Consider what's right with you. "Until you stop breathing, there's more right with you than wrong with you," says Kabat-Zinn. Every day, take a moment to thank your eyes for seeing, your liver for functioning, your feet for carrying you from place to place. Heck, thank those mitochondria within your cells for pumping out the energy you need to get you out of bed in the morning.

2. Love yourself unconditionally. Hate yourself for being 40 pounds overweight? Those berating thoughts you have about your imperfections can actually derail you instead of motivating you into action. (It's that old story: Starve yourself as punishment for overeating, until you can't take it anymore and give in to a binge.) Rather than setting a weight-loss goal and promising to love yourself once you get there, Kabat-Zinn says you need to make an effort to love yourself "all the way," whether you're 300 pounds or 150. If you decide to eat smaller portions or give up chips for carrot sticks, simply tell yourself, "This is just the way I'm eating now as a way to live better."

3. Live in the present moment. Don't think about what you ate yesterday or make promises to exercise tomorrow. "Every moment gives you the ability to learn, grow, and change," explains Kabat-Zinn. "If you can take a moment and live as if it really mattered, you can take a step back and see those impulses that may be negative to your health." What's more, you'll truly enjoy those indulgences like the creamy feel of a Godiva truffle or a 10-minute shoulder massage at an airport kiosk when your flight is delayed. You can also take pleasure in those small interactions with others: with the doorman, greeting you in your office lobby; the lady in line ahead of you at the supermarket; the goodnight hug from your child.

4. When life gets tough, don't take it personally. When faced with job loss, a foreclosure, or an impending divorce, it's really hard not to place the blame squarely on your own shoulders and get stuck in the "if only" mind-set. If only I had (choose one): taken a different job, bought a cheaper house, not cheated. That sort of rumination sets you up for full-blown depression. While it's important to accept responsibility for your actions, the best way to do that is by looking to the present rather than the past. What are you going to do that's different right now, at this moment, to move forward? "When the proverbial stuff hits the proverbial fan, it's really important to recognize and acknowledge the fear you're feeling," says Kabat-Zinn. "But also recognize that it's in these trying times that you will understand fully what it means to be human, to utilize all the resources you have." After all, it's those challenges faced by the World War II generation that earned it the distinction of being called the "greatest."

5. Put the "being" back in human. If you fill every moment with frenetic activity—work, text messaging, household chores, computer games—you never give yourself a chance to simply be. Too many of us are human stuff, the sum of our actions, instead of human beings, points out Kabat-Zinn. As corny as it sounds, just sitting for a moment to contemplate the clouds, the smell of freshly brewed coffee, the pattern of stalled cars winding around the freeway, is what separates us from the nut-gathering squirrels. And science shows it's a great stress reliever, to boot.

Full article in the US News & Report.

Nutrition, Exercise and the Recession

2009-03-02T10:49:00.001-08:00

The news can't stop drawing parallels between our current economy and the Great Depression. But this article from the Huffington Post discusses another unique similarity between the two eras:

Much has been made of the political and financial parallels between 1933 and 2009, but another similarity links the two eras: a general disgust with and mistrust of organized medicine and the food industry. Just as organic foods, detox regimens and stress-relief yoga classes have mushroomed in recent years, the 30s were a golden age of preventive medicine through exercise and healthy diet, as well as a willingness to dabble in unorthodox therapies. FDR was no exception; he chose his retreat at Warm Springs, Ga. largely so that he could receive hydropathic treatments on his withered legs.

Yoga Study for Breast Cancer Survivors in Columbus, Ohio

2009-03-02T06:34:00.000-08:00

Survivors know better than anyone that cancer and cancer treatment are stresses that change the body, mind, and spirit. The researchers at the Ohio State University feel that yoga could be a way to begin the recovery process to heal all three.

What' the study about?

Breast cancer survivors can have a lot of post-treatment problems, such as fatigue, depression, and a decrease in physical function. It is possible that physical activities, like yoga, could help ease these symptoms. This is a study about how yoga affects fatigue, immune function, and mood of women treated for breast cancer.

What's involved?

If you join the Yoga for Breast Cancer Survivors Study, you will be assigned to one of two groups: yoga or wait-list. The yoga group will attend yoga sessions twice a week for 12 weeks. The wait-list group will have the opportunity to take yoga after the study participation is complete. In addition you will be asked to visit the Ohio State University 4 times over 6-10 months. These visits include blood draws, questionnaires & completion of mild stress tasks.

Who can participate?

You can join the Yoga for Breast Cancer Survivors Study if you match ALL of these categories:

You are a breast cancer survivor who was treated for stage I, II, or IIIa disease within the last two years

You do not have inflammatory breast cancer

You have not had a recurrence of breast cancer (this is the first time you were diagnosed with breast cancer)

Aside from your breast cancer diagnosis, you have never had any other cancer diagnosis besides skin cancer

You have never been diagnosed with diabetes or an autoimmune disease (such as under active thyroid, over active thyroid, lupus, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis).

You live close enough to Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio to be able to attend yoga there two times a week

Who is conducting the study?

Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, Ph.D. , Ohio State University

Sign up here.

The Catheter

2009-02-28T06:53:00.001-08:00

UPDATE: Book signing confirmed!!
When: Sunday, March 29, 2009 2-4 p.m.
Where: Peninsula Building Materials Showroom
2490 Charleston Road, Mountain View

----

The following is an excerpt from Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Cancer Book: 101 Stories of Courage, Support & Love. This passage was written by Yoga Bear advisor Jasan Zimmerman. The book is for sale on Amazon.

-----

“Have you urinated yet?”

“Nope. I’ve been trying, but it hasn’t happened yet.”

“If you don’t go by 6 am, we’re going to have to put a catheter in.”

This unpleasant exchange took place shortly after my thyroidectomy, the treatment for my thyroid cancer. I was fifteen, not quite a child, but not quite a man yet either.

After the surgery, I vaguely remember being moved from recovery to the hospital room. My eyelids were still heavy from the anesthesia, feeling like cinder blocks were holding them closed. I could only open my eyes for a split second, enough to take in the surroundings and get a quick snapshot of what was happening.

Race for the Cure in Pasadena

2009-02-23T14:20:00.000-08:00

Yoga Bear is Proud to be an Official Sponsor in the Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure: March 15, 2009 @ Rose Bowl, Pasadena. Please come out and show your love and support! We'll have a booth set-up and we'll be giving away complimentary yoga memberships to post-cancer survivors, as well as yoga passes to those interested in joining us in our mission to:

EDUCATE TO ERADICATE!

Yoga Bear seeks to help post-cancer survivors, BUT even more importantly we seek to educate the community about how living a yogic lifestyle can be crucial to your health!

For more info about this event, contact Nicole@yogabear.org.

Yoga in Children's Hospitals

2009-02-18T17:53:00.000-08:00

Physical therapists at Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha have found a different way to put pilates and yoga techniques to work.

Nate Hathaway doesn't remember a time he didn't do physical therapy. The 10-year-old had a stroke in utero. Now, physical therapists at Children's lead Nate through a series of pilates and yoga style movements. It's a way for Nate to regain strength after a stress fracture.

Nate Hathaway said "You have to balance yourself on a ball a lot and maybe you'll get a face plant or two."

The key is steady and controlled movements using bolsters, balls, even frisbees. Physical therapist Penny Warren can modify moves for each child.

Penny Warren said "It's challenging because we've zeroed in on their very weakness, their core weakness and from there they can build outward."

Therapy sessions once a week are supplemented by daily work at home. Nate's parents are encouraged after just a few months.

Nate's Mom Charity Hathaway said "He can't ride a normal two wheel bike because he falls. He doesn't have the balance ability to do it so this has made a huge difference in balance ability. We've noticed he's balancing better than he ever has."

Nate added "I walk really good now my parents say and some of my teachers have noticed."

In other words, all the hard work is paying off.

Yoga: Even for the Disabled

2009-02-17T05:41:00.000-08:00

From a room filled with cymbidiums given regularly from fellow students, this warm huggable lady from Philadelphia cheerfully, puts her one foot, her only foot, actually half a foot, down and tells me: "My mission is to be as independent as possible. I am stimulated and more flexible in my body and mind, aware, new energy and having more fun out of life and feeling my heartbeat."

What creates this for Betsy? She creates it because as a friend and being a driven, Yoga therapist and a recovered disabled woman I teach Yoga therapy/Viniyoga: ancient wisdom of Classical Yoga, Hatha Yoga and Ayurveda, to facilitate the continuum of self-healing.

I tell her it is Yoga, but so much more. Yoga is all. It is everything, it is a process to unite and is about freedom. Physical, energetic, psycho-emotional, and spiritual healing means the freedom to be simply who we truly are.

Freedom is the word that sums it up.

My joy is having her receive from me. A friend of many years since she took care of me over 20 years ago as a master massage therapist after I nearly died in an auto accident and had to learn to walk again. I decided then to put journalism aside and research body mind therapy and became a yoga therapist.

As Deepak Chopra writes, "Receiving is as necessary as giving. To consciously receive is an expression of the dignity of giving." And Betsy knows how to receive.

A 20-minute class in her chair will include:

1. Breathing smoothly and completely -- the priority.

2. As Betsy puts it: "Stretching me by pulling my arms with your hands and massaging my neck makes me feel so good. The touching is about friendliness, I need that. I require caring and loving. A new flexibility is happening- one of my mind as well."

Betsy is an avid committed student of spiritual psychology and her classes at the University of Santa Monica. (USM is a block from her assisted living home.)

3. Strengthening -- Utilizing a non-electric wheel chair forces the smiling very active white haired darling of center work her cardio and tones her upper body. "I make use of all. All the adapted, assisted poses bring me to life. I feel alive. I have more energy, not stagnant. I feel my heart beat."

Senses are awoken I notice more and more. Appreciating a dark chocolate bar, ok for diabetics, I bring her, then plugging in a Hawaiian floral scent diffuser sweetly transforms the shared room and the cds encourage Betsy to sway to the best rhythms when she:

4. Twisting her spine

5. Rolling her shoulders

6. Turning her neck

7. Pressing down and does pelvic tilts to wake sleeping muscles

8. Bending forward, she leans and reaches out to hold on to a table and breathe fully and deeply then let your headrest down. By me pushing and pulling, the spine gets release and energized I tell her.

9. Now I assist her to circulating her upper body -- the spine. She holds the wheel chair arms turning in one direction a minute and then reversing. This is a noted sequence to bring circulation to the sacrum plus letting energy release and move up the spine.

Twenty minutes is up and the alert, energized Betsy is ready to do her homework, or watch her favorite tennis on TV, and roll herself out to help some of the residents acclimatize. She is the president of the patient's council using her experience of many years as a counselor to serve others. The mother of two children with disabilities, now deceased, Betsy worked for years on programs for the retarded.

"Yoga assists me when I must slip and slide into my wheel chair, toilet, and bed. Using gravity, heights and breathing," said Betsy.

This post was originally published in the Santa Monica Mirror.

Free Class Series for Survivors in Virginia

2009-02-11T00:20:00.000-08:00

Wednesday’s from 12:30-1:30pm
January 28 – February 18

Little River Yoga is pleased to offer FREE weekly classes for cancer
patients and survivors. Our first session of classes will be offered
over 4 weeks, but we hope that they will be successful enough to be
offered on an ongoing basis.

These classes will offer inspiration, and will include healing yoga
movements, restoratives, balance work, breath work and guided
meditations.
There is no charge for these classes, but please register to attend, either by telephone or email.

Classes will be taught by Suzanne Leitner-Wise & Bev Brown

The Cost of Cancer

2009-02-06T05:41:00.000-08:00

This documentary from the Kaiser Family Foundation explores the financial consequences faced by three people--all privately insured--after being diagnosed with cancer.

Survivorship & Belly Dancing

2009-02-04T19:12:00.000-08:00

When we heard about Yoga Bear participant Sylvia Grech's passion for belly-dancing, we had to learn more! Sylvia, who was diagnosed with liposarcoma in 2008, has had extensive abdominal surgery and 35 treatments of radiation. Today she's cancer free, but still recovering from the physical and emotional aspects of survivorship. In addition to her dancing, she is taking yoga classes through Yoga Bear. As today's guest blogger, she's sharing her story about belly-dancing.

I was bored one day and a friend of mine had suggested that I take up a dance class. I had never taken a formal dance class before, so she recommended an old time dance studio which offered classes ranging from Flamenco to Martial Arts to Irish Folk dancing. Among the varied list was Belly Dancing (or as it is known, Danse Oriental) and I said to myself “well, that’s a different one…it will be good exercise”. So I took my first beginner class 8 ½ years ago and it opened up a whole new part of my life.

I will never forget my first class… I was wearing a sarong and barefoot. The class was difficult. So difficult! And the more I went to class, the more difficult it became. I loved it. So when I realized this wasn’t going to be a passing thing, I bought some dance clothes and began taking private lessons to work on technique. My once a week beginner’s class went to a twice a week intermediate class and then to a four times a week advanced class and private lessons. I dance Egyptian style belly dance, which is different from Turkish, Lebanese and Moroccan styles.

Then I began to perform. Oh the joy, exhilaration and agony of it! Being naturally shy, this was another challenge for me. I hated performing and it felt like the ultimate torture but I continued to do so because I wanted to get over the fear (and, let’s face it, I wanted to join in with my dance friends).

My first show was in a small theatre on 42^nd Street off Broadway. Over time, I began to travel to other cities for my teacher’s workshops and performing at their gala shows. I’ve performed on stage in theaters in Buffalo and Montreal and at a couple of dinner/show restaurants in New York. I also performed for my friends’ family wedding, birthday and anniversary parties. One of my most memorable performances was at my friend’s 50^th birthday party which was in the island of Malta. My friend had rented a yacht for his party and we docked at the smallest island and I danced at the sea port under the stars!

Besides learning technique, choreography, facial expression and stage personality, I had to learn how to deal with the unexpected when performing. I’ve had music stop in the middle of my performance, waiters passing within a foot of me with dishes of spaghetti piled high, getting glue in my hair from fly traps hanging from the changing room ceiling, almost slipping on stage, music so low I couldn’t hear it… the list goes on. Fortunately , knock on wood, I’ve never had a costume malfunction!

For me, going to class is an addiction. I just can’t get enough. My teacher is not only an excellent instructor but he is also a unique and creative choreographer. Each class brings something new and wonderful. It’s amazing to me to hear an average piece of music and see how it morphs into something so beautifully complete with the choreography.

The challenge of learning this art form is good for the mind, feels great on the body and is uplifting for the soul. It’s a never-ending journey…always more to learn and experience. Being in class forces me to forget about everything… at that moment, it’s all about the music and the dance.

Improving Sleep in Metastatic Breast Cancer

2009-02-04T06:46:00.000-08:00

From Oncology Nursing News:

Predicting whether women with metastatic breast cancer will suffer from insomnia may be possible through simple measurements of breathing and heart rates and cortisol levels, say researchers from the University of Rochester Wilmot Cancer Center.

More importantly, it may be possible to reduce insomnia in this patient population through fairly simple means. “It's reasonable to suggest that simple breathing exercises may help more than we realize with insomnia,” said lead author Oxana Palesh, PhD, in a press release announcing the findings. She suggested that yoga, meditation, or other techniques that regulate deep diaphragmatic breathing may help thwart insomnia and sleep disruptions, which are 2 to 3 times more common in cancer compared to general population.

This study of 99 women (J Clin Sleep Med. 2008; 4:441-449) confirmed a relationship between frequent awakenings and abnormal cortisol rhythms. Cortisol is the steroid hormone that regulates blood pressure; this current work echoes earlier research linking insomnia to activation of the stress-response system, which leads to increased cortisol levels. By measuring participant's heart rates during a stress task, researchers found that lowered heart rate variability was associated with efficiency of sleep.

In healthy people, cortisol levels peak early in the morning and level out by the end of the day. However, in one-third to two-thirds of women with metastatic breast cancer, circadian rhythms are disrupted and diurnal cortisol slopes are either flattened, have multiple peaks, or are elevated at the end of the day. Participants in this study had on average 15 wake episodes in the night, lasting for about a total of 71 minutes.

Yoga Bear Program at Maimonides

2009-02-03T06:46:00.000-08:00

Yoga Bear NYC has partnered with Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn to bring a weekly yoga class to cancer patients. Erin Bakersmith from Yoga Works Studio has volunteered her time for the class. YB NYC Director Michelle Robbins says, "Cancer patients at the Maimonides expressed a need for an activity that allows them to mentally escape from all of the negativity and stress that comes with cancer. Our service seems to be a perfect fit."

Prisoners Embrace Yoga

2009-02-01T16:32:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of prisons implementing yoga to help stress and anger management. The BBC did a wonderful short doc on one program, the Art of Living, in a prison in South Africa.

YOGABEAR in Glamour!

2009-01-30T16:19:00.000-08:00

I was really excited to write a guest post for the Glamour blog, on yoga and YogaBear.

Check it out!

Welcome New Yoga Bears!

2009-01-30T08:13:00.000-08:00

The Yoga Bear community is growing, and so is our national staff of volunteers to make sure things run smoothly. We're excited to announce some new team members that have joined us in 2009:

A native Austinite, Jessica Sager brings to Yoga Bear her love and passion for empowering others and sharing the gift of yoga. A lifelong student, Jessica has studied as a Kundalini Yoga teacher with Yoga Yoga Teacher Training, as a massage therapist at the Lauterstein Conway School of Massage, and in holistic nutrition at the Australasian College of Health Sciences. Both her parents are cancer survivors, which is part of the reason Yoga Bear's mission is very close to her heart. She is very thankful to yoga for helping teach her to breathe and appreciate the breath, and hopes through YogaBear she can share yoga's gifts with others.

Lindsey O'Brien (Denver) is extremely excited to be a volunteer for Yoga Bear and help spread health and wellness through the practice of yoga. She recently graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Integrative Physiology and plans to attend osteopathic medical school in the fall of 2010. Lindsay strongly believes that wellness is established through proper alignment of the musculoskeletal system and that the body is a self-healing and self-regulating organism and healthy function can be maintained through the practice of yoga and meditation. Lindsay also works as a chiropractic assistant at Fox Chiropractic in Broomfield, Colorado and enjoys traveling, working out, singing, and spending time with her family.

Jen Bluestein (NYC) is excited to be connected with such a wonderful and inspirational organization. She was initially drawn to Yoga Bear for her love of yoga, fitness and health and, being the daughter of a cancer survivor, her commitment to improving the well being of those suffering from, or in remission of, cancer. Jen is a graduate of the University of British Columbia, located in the beautiful city of Vancouver, Canada.

Dasha Bril (NYC) discovered yoga after an impromptu class in New York City. Having always been drawn to literature and philosophy that explored the nature of interconnectedness, Dasha found yoga to be the perfect physical expression of these ideas. From the sense of balance, clarity, and openness the practice of yoga brought her, she knew immediately that she wanted yoga to be part of her life. Dasha brings to Yoga Bear a desire to help others discover the physical, mental, and spiritual healing properties of yoga.

Cancer Journeys: a Place to Share Stories

2009-01-29T06:06:00.001-08:00

By Kristen Spinning, Founder of Cancer Journeys

Six years ago, I had my world turned upside down with a cancer diagnosis. It was sudden, unexpected and life altering. It was also scary and a little grim, but I had a deep, inner knowing that I was going to survive, and in fact thrive. I just didn't know how. Family and friends rallied, and I was fortunate to find a local cancer support center where I met people in all phases of survivorship. At the time, I was unnerved by the people who told me that they were grateful for their cancer because of something it had given them. Though I was grateful to meet these people, and grateful to have new experiences, I was not ready to bestow gratitude upon a disease that threatened my life.

As the months of treatment, and then the months of recovering from the treatment progressed, I came to realize that many aspects of my life were better because of my experience, and the choices I made because of it. I stopped to take in the heady smell of the roses. I connected with my spirit. I learned the power of prayers from people I did not even know. I became involved in things I would not otherwise have ever done. I met people who inspired me, and met people who became important to me. Without cancer shoving me, kicking and screaming, down a different path, I would never have adopted my daughter, the greatest joy in my life. Now, despite all the losses it gave me, I can say I am grateful, not to the mass of mutant cells, but to the experiences gained and the lessons learned from my journey through cancer.

All along my journey, I learned about many other people who made positive transformations in their lives because of cancer. From clarifying priorities, to healing a broken relationship, from taking up a cause to reconnecting with their spirit, people can find silver linings in the ominous clouds of cancer. These changes may not "cure" but they profoundly heal. I felt it was important to have a venue that celebrates these transformations, and in so doing, inspire others to take control of their journey. There needed to be a place that demonstrates that how ever long or short a time we have, we possess the ability to dig down deep and find our inner truth.

There are so many stories, and so many places, one person could not possible scratch the surface. So the mission behind cancerjourneys.com is to find people who share the passion of learning, discovering, and ultimately writing about the people, places and events that exemplify those inspiring cancer journeys. There are many ways for people to get involved. They can share their own story, or they can become a Cancer Correspondent who regularly contributes articles. Non-profit organizations can highlight their activities, members or a person in their community. The site has a review section so that people can share their thoughts on a book or CD that has meaning to those on the journey. There are many people who committed to taking that "trip of a lifetime" because of their diagnosis. Sharing those trips, giving travel insights and making recommendations would be of great benefit to our readers. I also intend to cover food and dining, because there are so many considerations of diet, healthy eating, and most importantly, what is simply palatable during chemo or for someone with a chronic illness.

What makes cancerjourneys.com stand out from all the other great cancer related sites or blogs is that it ISN'T ABOUT CANCER. It is about the choices we make, the paths we walk and the difference we want to make in our lives. The site has just launched, and is actively seeking material. It will become what the community makes it. I cannot do it alone, but one lesson I learned from my cancer experience is that it takes a good team to be successful, and that I need to ask for help to put together that team.

Bisphenol A may be worse than we thought...

2009-01-28T07:50:00.000-08:00

A study being released today finds that bisphenol A (the chemical used to make plastic and suspected of causing cancer), stays in the body much longer than previously thought. The longer the chemical stays in the body, the greater chance it has of doing harm.

The study results, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, have renewed concern and calls for regulation.

“The study reinforces the urgent need for stricter government oversight and regulation of this extremely toxic chemical,” said Janet Nudelman, director of program and policy at the Breast Cancer Fund, one of our favorite health advocacy groups. “It adds to what we already know about BPA, a chemical so powerful that at extremely low levels — parts per billion or even parts per trillion — it can cross the placenta and alter the mammary gland of the developing fetus, increasing breast cancer risk later in life.”

Now here's the scary party: BPA (used to make baby bottles, dental sealants, food containers and thousands of other household products) was found in 93% of Americans tested.

The new study, conducted by Richard Stahlhut at the University of Rochester, used data on humans collected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers looked at urine samples of 1,469 U.S. adults. They compared the levels of BPA based on how long the subjects had fasted.

BPA has been linked to spikes in breast cancer, diabetes and heart disease, even at very low levels. It has also been found to interfere with chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

“It provides evidence that we are being exposed to more BPA than we think — and that contaminated food and beverages may not even be the main source “ of our BPA exposure, said Patricia Hunt, a professor at Washington State University who pioneered studies linking BPA to cancer. “Scary, huh?”

Yoga Bear Celebrates Yoga Day

2009-01-27T06:04:00.000-08:00

Yoga Bear was super excited to celebrate "Yoga Day" with Lotus 7 Yoga and Pilates this past weekend! All in the name of seva (selfless service), Lotus 7 Yoga and Pilates provided complimentary half-hour classes to enthusiastic students, as well as delicious food courtesy of Annie's Party Passion catering service.

As part of the celebration, Lotus 7 pledged to match each membership package purchased that day with memberships for Yoga Bear participants. We would like to give a warm thank you to Lisa Brabender of Lotus 7 Yoga and Pilates for her kind generosity! We wish you much success and prosperity in 2009!

By: Nicole Reed, Director of SoCal Chapter, Yoga Bear

New Yorkers, we need your (gently used) yoga mats!

2009-01-24T06:41:00.001-08:00

Yoga Bear is working to bring yoga to cancer patients at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn. Our program starts in TWO weeks, and we need your help to make it possible!

We're looking for donations of gently used yoga mats. If you have a yoga mat that you can donate, please contact Michelle.Robbins@yogabear.org. Your contribution to our mission is greatly appreciated.

Valentine's Day in San Francisco

2009-01-22T13:54:00.000-08:00

Join us for a Valentine's Day Fundraiser Class at Bernal Yoga!

Please join Bernal Yoga and instructor Traci Joy Burleigh for a special Valentine's Day afternoon of yoga, heart health and intimate connection, both with ourselves, our lives and others. Using specially sequenced asana, simple breathing techniques and meditations, we will explore healing the heart both on a physical and metaphysical level. All Levels Welcome.

Space is limited, please RSVP.

Avoiding "Cowboy Therapists"

2009-01-22T04:07:00.000-08:00

For those who are concerned with the qualifications of holistic practitioners, the UK is beginning a mandatory registry for companies offering those services.

It will not judge clinics on whether therapies are effective, but rather on whether they operate a professional and safe business. Maggie Dunn, co-chairman of the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), said it was time customers were given proper assurances.

Will the US follow suit? Our government already regulates other industries-- spas, salons, nutritionists. But herbal medicine practitioners and yoga therapists are largely overlooked by the government. Naturopathy is licensed on a state-by-state basis, with some states having no licensing requirements at all.

Here are some other tips while searhcing for a natural practitioner:
1. Credentials. Ask them where their degree or certificate is from! No legitimate natural pratitioner (yoga instructor, naturopathic pratcitioner, etc.) will be offended by a potential client asking questions.
2. Insured. Malpractice insurance does more than protect you in the event that something goes wrong. If your practitioner doesn't have malpractice insurance it could mean that he or she doesn't qualify. Ask yourself, "Why?"
3. Openness to ideas. No legitimate practitioner will deny a client information about mainstream medicine. If your naturopath is locked in on the idea "natural" medicine only and can't acknowledge that technology-based medicine has a place in your health care, be wary.

And for finding holistic medicine information on the internet, the Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego published these comprehensive guidelines.

Remember, "natural" doesn't mean "anti-science". Leaders in the field read and write peer-reviewed research papers just like their mainstream counterparts do. A legitimate therapist is, after all, a scientist, too.

A Surgeon's Argument for Universal Health Care

2009-01-21T06:30:00.000-08:00

If Americans are smart, they'll learn from other nations—and Massachusetts—in building a system of universal health care, writes surgeon Atul Gawande in The New Yorker.

The rise of health reform "is surprising and instructive" in nations like the UK and France, which made controversial changes after too many "stories about cruelty," Gawande writes. Now it's America's turn to stop fearing the “unintended consequences of drastic change." What's more, the US can build on any of its "hodgepodge" of institutions—like Medicare and veterans' health care—to build an American-style form of universal care.

Massachusetts' plan has worked well, despite some grousing taxpayers, since it kicked in 2 years ago, Gawande writes. He hasn’t seen a single patient delay cancer treatment due to cost: “That’s a remarkable change: a glimpse of American health care without the routine cruelty.”

Chiropractor Turns to Alternative Treatments to Treat Cancer

2009-01-20T04:33:00.000-08:00

In 2000, Michigan Resident Dr. Greg Ling -- a traditionally trained chiropractor practicing in Norton Shores -- was issued a death sentence by the medical world. He was diagnosed with terminal melanoma and told there was "no hope" of recovery and "no need" for treatment.

"Basically, I was told to go home and prepare," he said. "Go home, and prepare to die."

But Ling knew a few things about the healing power of alternative medicine and one's own heart. He immersed himself in the benefits of yoga, massage, Bowenwork and other "energy therapies" that he already had begun to incorporate into his own practice.

"I knew there were other means of healing," he said. Now 45, Ling is cancer-free. He has used his passion and belief in alternative medicine to open his open practice, called Healing Harmony.

Read the full story here.

January is Cervical Cancer Screening Month

2009-01-16T10:54:00.000-08:00

Did you know?

-11% of US women report that they do not have their Pap test screenings
-In the US, About 10,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year and about 3,700 women die in the US each year from this disease
-Women in developing countries account for about 85 percent of both the yearly cases of cervical cancer (estimated at 473,000 cases worldwide) and the yearly deaths from cervical cancer (estimated at 253,500 deaths worldwide).
-In the majority of developing countries, cervical cancer remains the number-one cause of cancer-related deaths among women.

Now that a cervical cancer vaccine is available, 70% of cervical cancers can be prevented with widespread adoption of the vaccine program. In addition, the availability of improved Pap test screening plus a test for the virus that causes almost all cervical cancer—the Human papillomavirus, or HPV—means that no women need die from this preventable cancer.

Early detection saves lives.

Smoking Down for First Time in Years!

2009-01-15T07:25:00.000-08:00

Here's one number you won't be upset to hear is down: the number of adult cigarette smokers in the U.S. has declined for the first time in 4 years, according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Adult tobacco user prevalence is now under 20 percent for the first time since tobacco use rates began to fall during the mid-1960s. The findings were based on data from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

"These data tell us we have made exceptional progress in the effort to reduce and eventually eliminate the death, disease, and economic challenges that tobacco use brings on its users," said Thomas J. Glynn, PhD, American Cancer Society's director of cancer science and trends and international cancer control.

There are many possible reasons for the decline. In addition to the economic recession, tougher legislation and higher prices for cigarettes are more reason smoking has become less attractive.

However, it's not all good news. The report showed that significant disparities continue to persist by race and education level. American Indian and Alaska Natives continue to smoke in higher numbers, as do people with GEDs and those below the poverty level.

Cigarette smoking accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths, and it's a major cause of heart disease, emphysema, and stroke. To learn more, visit the American Cancer Society website. Looking for help quitting right now? Contact the American Cancer Society (1-800-ACS-2345) for support.

Professional Athlete Turns to Yoga

2009-01-14T02:14:00.000-08:00

Figure skater Sasha Cohen, silver metal winner of the 2006 Olympics, speaks about using yoga to complement her skating practice. She uses yoga five days a week to warm up-- physically and mentally- for ice skating.

"The best thing about yoga — as opposed to the gym or weights — is that you have to use your own body, and it makes you really aware of all the connections and how to balance yourself," Sasha says.

Balance is everything to a skater twirling on one leg on the razor-thin edge of a blade across a smooth ice rink.

"I do it at home, on tour buses, hotels, and even airplanes," she says. "One of the things I like about yoga is that all you need is a mat and some space on the floor."

Sasha practices at Yoga Bear partner studio, Yoga Works in Newport Beach, CA.

Yoga Day in San Diego!

2009-01-13T10:19:00.000-08:00

Jean Di Carlo-Wagner-- cancer survivor, Yoga Bear volunteer, yoga instructor-- has organized a day of yoga for people in San Diego!

"Meeting of the Minds"

2009-01-12T11:08:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, Yoga Bear hosted a cross-disciplinary workshop bringing together health professionals and yoga instructors to exchange information about cancer treatment and learn new ways to help support survivors through holistic treatments.

Seventy people gathered at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco for a wonderful day, featuring three great speakers.

Click here to view more photos!
Click here for links to the presentations.

Announcing the Denver Chapter of Yoga Bear

2009-01-11T18:44:00.000-08:00

We are pleased and excited to announce the new Denver Chapter of Yoga Bear!

Pinna Gallant, yogi and philanthropist, will be running and growing the chapter. Pinna has been working hard since late 2008 to engage both the yoga and cancer communities. Our first partner-studio in the area is Harmony Yoga, which offers a variety of classes including gentle, restorative, and hatha.

Pinna has been practicing yoga for three years and states, "I am excited to share yoga with participants in the program, and help them find the wellness and healing that I have found through yoga."

For more information about the Denver Chapter, please contact Pinna@yogabear.org. Cancer survivors are encouraged to apply (for free) to join our program- http://www.yogabear.org/page/participation-form.

Evidence-based Teaching Recommendations & Strategies for Yoga Therapy

2009-01-11T17:16:00.001-08:00

Meeting of the Minds: Evidence-Based Teaching Strategies

| Get your Presentation Pack

Evidence-based Teaching Recommendations & Strategies for Yoga Therapy

Getting Physical After Cancer (Part II)

2009-01-09T10:11:00.000-08:00

Scott J. Capozza, MS, PT
CT Challenge Survivorship Clinic
Yale New Haven Hospital

Choosing the Right Physical Activity...

Something you will enjoy
Something that will cause you to break a (mild) sweat
Something (ideally) you can do with another person
Something that will not injure you or exacerbate an old injury

How Much? How Often?

Beginning with what feels comfortable to you – especially if you have cancer-related fatigue
Ideally, begin with 20-30 minutes a session 3 times a week
Increase the number of sessions first, then increase length of each session, then intensity of each session
Long term goal (2-3 months down the road) of at least 30 minutes a session 5 times a week

Making it Work

Finding a time that you can set aside for exercise
Morning vs. evening, when the kids are at school, etc.
Writing down your plan/goals and keeping it in view
Recording in a journal what you did, how long, and how you felt
Exercising at home or at a facility

"Be true to thy self"

Set realistic goals
Setting physical activity goals such as “I want to be able to walk for an hour straight without stopping” benefits your whole body (mind included) and the other goals (such as weight loss) will take care of themselves
Break your goal into smaller goals and reward yourself when you achieve one i.e., “I want to be able to walk 30 minutes without stopping by two weeks time, and 40 minutes in a month”
Don’t get caught up in day-to-day fluctuations – it’s the long range, big picture that you’re focused on!

Getting Physical After Cancer

2009-01-08T10:06:00.000-08:00

Scott J. Capozza, MS, PT
CT Challenge Survivorship Clinic
Yale New Haven Hospital

After finishing your cancer treatments, you may feel…

Tired
Sore or have post-surgical pain
Increased sensitivity to an area that received radiation therapy
Bloated from chemotherapy treatments
Depressed, confused, and/or angry
But do you feel like exercising?

Why exercise after I’ve already had cancer?

Physical activity decreases your risk of recurrence and increases survival.
Women who reported 4 hr/week of brisk walking had a 40% lower risk of recurrence and breast cancer death.
Women who are overweight at breast cancer diagnosis are at a 2-fold greater risk for recurrence and death compared with lighter women.
Women who gain weight (~5 lbs) are at 60% increased risk of death compared with women who do not gain weight.
Obesity and weight gain lead to an increased production of certain hormones and growth factors that increases cell proliferation.

Research has shown that…

Exercising several times a week helps decrease body fat, and hormones associated with cancer prognosis.
By decreasing these factors, a woman post-breast cancer can decrease her risk of a recurrence by as much as 91%.
Cancer and its treatments often produce significant morbidities that undermine quality of life.
Exercise enhances quality of life both during and after cancer treatments.
- Exercise decreases fatigue
- Exercise decreases nausea
- Exercise decreases depression and anxiety

Should Doctors Tell You If Another Hospital Would be Better?

2009-01-06T01:07:00.000-08:00

An article published online in October in the journal PLoS Medicine argues that as part of the informed-consent process, doctors have an ethical obligation to tell patients if they are more likely to survive, be cured, live longer or avoid complications by going to another hospital, even if that means the patient will take their business elsewhere.

“It’s only fair,” said Dr. Leonidas G. Koniaris, an author of the article and a cancer surgeon at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami.

The New York Times writes, "Studies have confirmed the common-sense notion that practice makes perfect, and the medical profession has known for at least 30 years that how well people fare after surgery often depends on where it was performed. For a given operation, outcomes are generally best at “high volume” hospitals, which perform it often. The difference between high- and low-volume centers is not just the surgeon’s skill, but also the level of expertise in other areas that are crucial after surgery, like nursing, intensive care, respiratory therapy and rehabilitation, Dr. Koniaris said. The same principles apply to treating cancer."

To learn how a specific hospital performs in treating certain illnesses and performing operations, the government Web site www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov provides information.

Personal Story: Giving Back Through Yoga

2009-01-05T19:25:00.000-08:00

Jean Di Carlo-Wagner is a cancer survivor, philanthropist, and yoga instructor. When we found out about her story, we were touched and amazed at her incessant drive to help other cancer patients. Below is her personal story of survivorship, courage, and making a difference in the world.

During the past seven years, cancer has touched my life personally: my middle sister, Linda, is a breast cancer survivor (2001), I was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer April 2003, and my mother just died of acute lymphoma (2008) . So, I know cancer from being a first-hand relative, a close friend and a survivor myself.

The Diagnosis

When I was diagnosed (April 2003), I had just turned 47. I was physically active, working at a career, singing as a hobby and I looked 'healthy', so, it surprised everyone but me, because I felt something was wrong with me. It took over four months to get a colonoscopy, over that time, I lost a lot of weight, couldn't eat very much and not be sick and I felt ill. Something told me that is was colon cancer, maybe it was the way my stomach bloated out or the night sweats that kept me await. But, I knew that I had cancer and getting to treatment felt like a long marathon. I knew that I wouldn't be able to exercise after surgery, so the day before I had my colon resectioned, I went to a low impact aerobics class, stretched out with yoga and went home to drop into bed.

I didn't know any other woman my age that had colon cancer (usually an 'old man's disease') and I needed support. I contacted the Colon Cancer Alliance and met my colon cancer Buddy, Suzanne Lindley. Suzanne had already outlived her stage IV diagnosis by four years when I first mether. My stage III diagnosis seemed less frightening when Suzanne told me that her original prognosis was six months! Suzanne continues to guide me in setting an example of advocacy, service to others and living life in the moment.But at that moment in time, what I needed most was another young woman that had colon cancer and had survived.

After surgery to remove a foot of bowel, the oncologist came in and told me that my cancer had spread to the one lymphnod they had removed and he could guarantee I had cancer cells floating around in my bloodstream. He told me that if my cancer came back, I would die. Good thing I was hooked up to morphine, I took the button, pressed it down and laid back in the bed. Immediately, I didn't like this doctor! My husband, Chris, a medical social worker, told me that I was lucky to have a doctor that was a straight-shooter. When your survival is at risk, you listen and follow directions, as a veteran teacher of 25 years, I was trained to give directions; this journey was not going to be easy. I felt better than I had in years after surgery and then thought of weekly chemotherapy for six months.

Three weeks to recover from surgery and weekly chemotherapy was arranged. I made myself a pocket chart out of two pieces of felt squares (teachers know these things!). I filled the twenty-six pockets with angel charms to take with me to t he cancer center every week and leave for others in the waiting room. I lined up twenty-six friends to take me to my appointments, some flew in from across the country, some came from across town; each friend was a light of safety in the scary world of cancer treatment. When I was half-way done, I threw a "Half-way" done party and thanked friends for being with me and my family. Treatment continues to wear you down and that's what happened to me. The cumulative effect of treatments made me physically weaker and I had little stamina.

At the end of treatment, I threw another party and had a healing ceremony in our backyard. My doctor, the one who had sternly spoken to me and smiled little, cried at the end of my treatment because he said he was so glad that I was "well".

One does not feel well after six months of treatment. I confessed to him that I hadn't always liked him because he scared me but that I could not have made it through without his strong-minded direction. I also confessed to leaving painted rock-angels around the cancer center every week, but swore him to secrecy. I still have fun leaving them on my check ups.

Survivorshop
My cancer journey felt like this: one day I was a well person (to the world), the next day I was a very sick person. I was now home with a life that didn't look anything like the life I had six months prior. My fatique was so great, I could no longer work as teacher. I stopped most of my social events. And, exercise was getting out of bed, showering and getting dressed. I had no stamina, no strength and little idea of how to regain any of it. I was happy to have survived, but the emotional and physical toll of cancer had just begun to sink into my consciousness. First you just merely wish to survive, then you want to live.

A "New" Body
I tried returning to the gym but was humiliated by my weakness and confused about what to work on first. Should I build muscle strength back with weights? Should I try to stretch my tight muscles with yoga? Do I need some cardiovascular exercise to get my stamina back? Each attempt at a class made me feel more awkward in my "new" body; scarred, bloated, limp, and listless. I returned to the safety of my home and tried working out with a yoga tape. I lasted five minutes before I needed to rest on the floor. It was a confusing and painful time. So much had changed and I didn't know where to start to regain a 'new normal'. I prayed for guidance. I figured God had to have a plan for me because I was still on earth, still breathing and needed direction.

Finding a New Purpose in Life
I was inspired to help others along the journey to wellness. If it had been difficult for me, it had to be difficult for others. I continued my yoga tape and was able to work up to a half hour a day. But my body was not able to do traditional poses for very long, and I needed more breath work and more relaxation. A voice inside said that my new purpose in life was to become a yoga teacher for other cancer survivors. I asked the gym director if she would allow me to teach a class to cancer survivors if I got certified to teach yoga. She agreed. I continue to teach weekly and enjoy it as the highlight of my week! I am joining together a group of yoga teachers that are cancer survivors teaching other survivors; we're out there!

Bringing Yoga to Other Survivors
I noticed that some people in my class were too weak to come to class; even though I make it clear that if you come and meditate and fall asleep, we are happy to provide that hour space of safety! So, another idea was planted in my heart. Why not make an audio tape for cancer survivors, so that those whom cannot make it physically to class can join us in spirit? Yoga for Cancer Survivors took me two and half years to complete. During this time, I was caring
for my elderly mother, teaching yoga, taking classes, and trying to balance the demands of daily life. The music is original, the class is designed through my experience and the experience I have of other teaching other cancer survivors.

In January 2008, my mother died of leukemia. My goal to reach out to cancer survivors became even stronger. The Yoga for Cancer Survivor CD was ready to finish and press. In February, I picked up the 1,000 CD's and started finding ways to give them to survivors. My goal was to give 800 CD's away, which I was able to do, and sell only what I needed to sell to cover the cost of making the Yoga for Cancer Survivor's second pressing. In 2009, I am going to take another leap of faith and repress another 1,000 CD's. What will happen? I don't know. I only know that this is what I'm supposed to be doing! If I can make someone else's life a little better, use my experience to help, I am blessed!

Click here to purchase Jean's Yoga for Cancer Survivors CD.

Yoga Bear Advisor + Volunteer Quoted in the NY Times

2009-01-01T18:03:00.000-08:00

An article in the New York Times today discussed a trend among some yoga instructors who are "poking holes" in the austere image of yoga by "infusing levity into classes" through jokes, pop songs, and other uniquely Western asanas.

The article quoted Yoga Bear Advisor Kelly McGonigal, who is also the editor in chief of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy: “I do think there’s a trend toward lightening up in the yoga community. Mostly around the rigidity and humorlessness of doing things ‘the one right way’ — always having to get better, feeling like every yoga practice has to be one big self-improvement project.”

They also quoted Yoga Bear volunteer Sadie Nardini, director of yoga at East West Yoga in Manhattan, “People are moving away from what I call the Madame Tussauds yogi, frozen in a super-serious face, and instead want to rediscover the joy of living, even on the mat."

You can read the full article here.

How to Beat Stress and Angst Through Meditation

2008-12-31T15:36:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like economic calamity to focus the mind. But instead of obsessing over your job security or declining 401(k) balance, try diminishing your stress via a very old tool: meditation. Stretching back thousands of years to ancient spiritual traditions, meditation—while still not exactly mainstream—has been attracting a growing following of secular practitioners in recent years. Data released in December by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, an arm of the National Institutes of Health, show that 9.4 percent of adults surveyed in 2007 had tried meditation at least once during the previous year, a significant increase from 7.6 percent in 2002. And 1 percent of children had zoned in, too.

Once considered far outside the mainstream, alternative medicine is now being embraced by top hospitals. Learning the art of relaxation through meditation and other techniques can help you get through the holiday season—and through other stressful times of the year.

Source: US News

Yoga Bear & Lotus7 in the OC Metro

2008-12-30T21:42:00.000-08:00

The OC Metro published information about free classes held on Yoga Day, January 24th, 2009 at Lotus7 in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.

You can attend free classes all day, and a portion of any yoga merchandise purchased during Yoga Day will be donated to Yoga Bear!

Visit Lotus 7’s Web site to see the event’s class schedule.

The Importance of Early Detection

2008-12-29T12:35:00.000-08:00

Wired Magazine published a long, but fascinating article this month about the importance of early detection of cancer. If we find cancer early, 90 percent survive. If we find cancer late, 10 percent survive. So why doesn't more energy and money go towards early detection and prevention?

The US spends billions of dollars to save these late-stage patients, trying to devise better drugs and chemotherapies that might kill a cancer at its strongest. This cure-driven approach has dominated the research since Richard Nixon declared war on the disease in 1971. But it has yielded meager results: The overall cancer mortality rate in the US has fallen by a scant 8 percent since 1975. (Heart disease deaths, by comparison, have dropped by nearly 60 percent in that period.) We are so consumed by the quest to save the 566,000 that we overlook the far more staggering statistic at the other side of the survival curve: More than a third of all Americans—some 120 million people—will be diagnosed with cancer sometime in their lives. Their illness may be invisible now, but it's out there. And that presents a great, and largely unexamined, opportunity: Find and treat their cancers early and that 566,000 figure will shrink.

- Wired Magazine

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-24T09:31:00.000-08:00

We made you a video! Eight yoga-inspired reindeer poses, to get you through the holiday. Enjoy!

As World Population Rises, Cancer Rates Almost Double

2008-12-22T15:12:00.000-08:00

According to a new report published by the World Health Organization, there will be 20 million new cases of cancer by the year 2030 (there are about 12 million a year today). As survival rates improve in the US, more than half of these new cases, and most of deaths, occur in poor and developing nations. “China and India are going to dominate with 25 percent of the world’s population,” said Dr. Peter Boyle, a co-editor of the report and the director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer. “What happens there is going to drive the numbers.”

Partner Studio Spotlight: Yoga at Change

2008-12-19T14:49:00.000-08:00

While most studios are for-profit entities, Yoga at Change is a not-for-profit organization. Like Yoga Bear, this means that they are tax-exempt, and revenue earned goes back into programs. Founded nine years ago by a handful of yoga teachers, Yoga at Change offers a variety of classes to students in San Mateo.

In efforts to make yoga and meditation accessible to everyone, the studio offers free daily meditation classes and free weekly workshops on health, healing, and movement. Regular classes-- including gentle, vigorous, and restorative yoga-- are $16 for drop in, or as low as $7 for students on scholarships. Classes are small (16 students max), so instruction is catered to the level of students.

Yoga at Change is community focused. In addition to being a partner studio of Yoga Bear, they have partnered with the Art of Yoga organization, which teachers yoga to incarcerated youth. Executive Director Shikha Prasad was drawn to this supportive community. "We offer yoga to everybody, not just those who can afford it. I felt like the studio was a modest, communal, comfortable space with students from all walks of life."

The current economy presents problems for both yoga studios and yoga students. To make sure more people are still able to practice, Yoga at Change is trying to build more awareness of the free classes they offer. "People need yoga now more than ever," says Shikha, "We want them to know they should and can still practice. We will continue to offer free classes and plan on expanding programs to include more music and philsophy classes as well. No matter what happens, we're looking to bounce with change."