Yoga and Relaxation Classes Offered to Breast-cancer Survivors

WARREN — The Centered Place will offer a Yoga and Relaxation Program for breast-cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Classes will be held Sunday afternoons at the Centered Place, located at 286 Bridge Street in Warren, and 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,” noted 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, breathing 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. Classes will be held eight consecutive Sunday afternoons and will take place as soon as soon as six participants have registered to participate. There is no fee.

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