Program Offers Gentle Yoga for People Living with a Cancer Diagnosis

GREENFIELD — Gentle Yoga for Cancer, a complimentary program sponsored by Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s Oncology department, will begin an eight-week session on Jan. 9. The sessions will be held Wednesdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the YMCA in Greenfield. Classes are open to individuals at any stage of the cancer journey, and no experience is necessary. 

The facilitator is long-time breast-cancer survivor Pam Roberts, a certified Kripalu yoga instructor who is also certified in Yoga of the Heart therapy for cardiac and cancer patients. Roberts has been leading this class since 2011.

The program is sponsored thanks to money raised at the Wheeling for Healing Ride/Walk/Run, a yearly charitable event supporting cancer services and care at the hospital. The event has raised more than $350,000 to date, providing funding for items such as new infusion chairs in the Oncology suite, new exam tables, and programs such as art therapy, massage, yoga, and writing workshops. Next year’s Wheeling for Healing event will be held on Sunday, Aug. 25 at Greenfield Community College.

“Yoga helps relax and de-stress through the practice of strengthening and guided breathing exercises,” Roberts said. “The gentle postures help participants recover from surgery, as well as regain and maintain range of motion, strength, and balance.” 

Pre-registration is required. To sign up, contact Pam Roberts at 413-625-2402 or pamro@aol.com.

Another eight-week session of Gentle Yoga for Cancer will run from April 3 to June 26.