Around Matthews House
Wellspring is a network of centres that offer support, coping skills and information programs to people living with cancer and their loved ones. Wellspring, in collaboration with Matthews House Hospice and The Hospice Association of Ontario, will be offering programs at Matthews House Hospice. These programs are for those diagnosed with any type of cancer and are at any stage of treatment, and their caregivers. All Wellspring programs are offered at no charge and without referral.
Yoga classes have now started on a drop-in basis every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
We are looking forward to offering other Wellspring programs in the fall of 2008.
Yoga and Cancer
Yoga combines gentle stretching and body awareness with breathing techniques to help reduce stress, improve coping and achieve a sense of calm. The practice of yoga that originated thousands of years ago in Asia has more recently become popular in western cultures as a complementary therapy.
When one examines the claims in the literature, it is easy to become skeptical. However, a recent Vancouver study done by Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed and Dr. Linda Carlson, and by Lisa Daroux and Susi Hately-Aldous to study the effects of a seven-week yoga program for cancer survivor, showed significant benefits leading to the conclusion that “yoga has potential and should be further explored as a beneficial physical activity option for cancer survivors.”
The study found that “significant differences were seen between the yoga participants and the control group... both within psychosocial and physical variables. There were also significant improvements in the yoga group before and after the yoga intervention.”
The CBC quoted Linda Carlson, a psychologist with the Alberta Cancer Board, in a December 2006 report. She said, “Yoga participants tend to have less tension, sleep better and carry less stress.” Kerry Courney, the Canada research chair in cancer and exercise said, “People felt happier, they had more energy, were less confused... Studies on breast cancer survivors have shown that yoga may improve flexibility and arm function after surgery, along with improvements in body image and self esteem, reduced fatigue and pain control.”
Life Positive reports the positive impacts of yoga on pain management; “Yoga is believed to reduce pain by helping the brain’s pain center regulate the gate-controlling mechanism located in the spinal cord and the secretion of natural painkillers in the body. Breathing exercises used in yoga can also reduce pain. Because muscles tend to relax when you exhale, lengthening the time of exhalation can help produce relaxation and reduce tension. Awareness of breathing helps to achieve calmer, slower respiration and aid in relaxation and pain management.”
In the June 2006 edition of CancerWise, a journal of the M. D. Anderson Cancer Centre at the University of Texas, Dr. Lorenzo Cohen reported the benefits of several small studies conducted at the centre. These studies have led to a $2.4 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to further the research and assess the physical and psychological benefits of yoga programs.
Dr. Alastair Cunningham’s work at Princess Margaret showed similar non-medical benefits in patients who enrolled in his four level The Healing Journey program. Watch for announcements on the next program that will be held at Matthews House as part of the collaboration with Wellspring.
For more information, call Matthews House at 705-435-7218 or pat@matthewshousehospice.ca or call Antonia Berlingeri at Wellspring, 1-877-499-9904 or antonia@wellspring.ca
We are also pleased to be partnering with the CONTACT Community Kitchen to provide a series of cooking programs to people with a life threatening illness, their caregivers or the bereaved. The first cooking class, where you enjoy eating the results of your hard work together, is Mon., June 30 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
These classes are free of charge, however, registration through Matthews House is required. Call 705-435-7218 for more details or to register.
