Centered Place to Host Yoga, Relaxation Classes for Breast Cancer Survivors

WARREN — The Centered Place will offer a Yoga and Relaxation Program for breast cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Beginning Sept. 12, eight sessions will be held Sunday afternoons from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The Centered Place is located at 286 Bridge St. in Warren, and classes will be taught by co-owner Nancy Nowak, certified and registered yoga teacher and yoga therapist.

“Yoga is a complementary therapy. It improves feelings of well-being and can enhance the quality of life for some patients with cancer,” notes Stasia Wozniak, social worker at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital. “Relaxation is a vital element in healing because it relieves stress that can get in the way of an efficient immune systems. While relaxing, muscles release tension, the heart rate drops, blood pressure lowers, breath and mental activity slow down, and anxieties dissolve. All these together contribute to an overall feeling of well-being.”

These classes have been designed for women who have a history of breast cancer. Each class will begin and end with guided relaxation, in between sequences of yoga postures designed to bring deep release of physical and mental tension.

The Yoga and Relaxation Program has been made possible through the Baystate Regional Cancer Program at Mary Lane Hospital and grant-funded by Rays of Hope. For more information or to register, contact Wozniak at (413) 967-2225 or Laurie Pratt at (413) 967-2241.