People often report increased anxiety and challenging mental health including depression after receiving a cancer diagnosis. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, fatigue, inability to focus and increased negative thought patterns. Yoga has been proven to reduce psychological distress, anxiety and stresses. It can be challenging for patients with cancer to prevent their minds from dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, it is such a difficult time. Yoga, Meditation and deep breathing exercises help to clear the mind and focus on the breath, which can be hugely beneficial in grounding in the present moment.

Vicky Fox Yoga has been teaching ‘Yoga for Cancer’ for many years both privately and with free sessions at TriYoga in London. My mum having volunteered in a cancer centre (The Fountain Centre @ The Royal Surrey Hospital) for many years, when I was introduced to Vicky and her teaching I was totally inspired and amazed at her kindness, generosity and bright light, being called to help others in such a unique and beneficial way. I know a few of you have had cancer diagnosis in the past or have family members who would benefit from a slower practice and help their wellbeing.

Vicky’s teaching style is based around her own varied experience of yoga and through that has created a physically challenging class developing strength and suppleness while emphasising alignment and precision. All the time believing that yoga should be an individual and safe practice. Vicky started her yoga practice in 1997 and since qualifying in 2008 has studied with many world renowned teachers such as Rod Stryker, Doug Keller Julie Gudmestad and Leslie Howard.

In 2013 Vicky studied with Laura Kupperman on her “Yoga for Survivors” teacher training course and is now teaching yoga to cancer patients at any stage of their recovery. The classes are designed to provide a safe refuge to come and practice yoga, to build strength, increase range of motion and reduce stress, helping you sleep better, feel less fatigued and enjoy a better quality of life.

Vicky has so many great resources - we just wanted to share her work, if you are looking for help with your own journey to teach yoga for cancer or are going through a diagnosis yourself, don’t hesitate to reach out, we are more than happy to connect - share and help in any way we all can. Her classes at Triyoga across London at various locations are also live-streamed and free of charge.

Be Kind. Be compassionate. Learn to listen to your body. That the only way your body can talk to you is through the sensations that you feel. However those sensations may be subtle so you need to start to be in tune with what it feels like to be you so you can adapt your practice to respect that. Whether your practice is a Vinyasa flowing practice, a more restorative healing practice, you are a new to yoga or been practicing for years. An advanced practice is learning to do less not more. Below are a series of classes from Vicky’s extensive work, you may need a blanket, two blocks (or books), strap and bolster (or pillow to make one) and Vicky uses our Nephele Gallery Yoga Mat 4.5 mm, a thicker cushioning base. Take your time, explore and connect to the slower side of your practice.

It’s good to slow down…

FROM FULL LENGTH TO SHORTER 10 MINUTE PRACTICES, VICKY FOX YOGA FOR CANCER IS AN AMAZING RESOURCE.

YOU CAN JOIN VICKY AT TRIYOGA IN LONDON AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS, ONLINE CLASSES AND PRIVATE ONE-TO-ONE ALONGSIDE HER WEBSITE AND HER EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE.

Getting a cancer diagnosis can be a hugely stressful time, you may find your breathing patterns have changed and your body may feel stressed. Your time on the mat is just for you, no pressures, yoga can help you mentally dealing with the stress of a cancer diagnosis. There are several types of yoga. They all aim to help you relax by using breathing exercises, different body postures and relaxation techniques to lift your mood and energy. Sometimes meditation and breathing through can be enough to help with pain, other days you may feel you can do more and move the body.

A BEAUTIFUL MANTRA PRACTICE FOR GRATITUDE -WHICH IS SUCH A LOVELY WAY TO SALUTE THE DAY.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING WITH US.

You may want to record your own voice as you repeat the mantra with Vicky on your phone’s voice notes button. This way you have your own recording to use each morning, which can be a beautiful way to start the day and you can sing along with your own voice or in harmony with Vicky, also can bring comfort and quickly bring you into the present moment. Much like meditation and mantra repetition, which we will have a blog on shortly.

You are more than welcome to share any resource with your loved ones and reach out to us or Vicky directly, her contact is below.

Namaste. x

Vicky runs a Teaching Yoga To Those Diagnosed with Cancer training so that more teachers can feel supported to teach these wonderful and supportive classes. She is registered with the Yoga Alliance as a senior registered yoga teacher and teacher trainer, teaches at Triyoga in Camden, Ealing and Chelsea, and Paul’s Cancer Support Centre. She is also teaches applied anatomy on Julie Montagu’s and Carolyn Cowan’s teacher training course and has an extensive private client base.

Find her on instagram @yogaforcancer or her website for more information www.vickyfox-yoga.com