Gentle Mat Yoga for WM - Learning to Let Go

Roll out your mat to improve your flexibility, mobility, strength, balance, and bone density! Manage your stress and support your immune system function while addressing symptoms like fatigue and peripheral neuropathy. This gentle 60 minute all-levels mat class will move at a gentle pace, with mindful transitions up and down to the floor. Expect to use a range of tools of yoga such as breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga postures. We will leave time for a rest pose at the very end. No yoga experience necessary.
Recorded live June 14th, 2024
You will be given many cues to take care of yourself based on your current state of being. Our classes will feature some of the following:
* Breath exercises for reducing stress, coping with fatigue, and supporting the immune system
* Repetitive, slow flow movement to encourage blood and lymph circulation, lubricate the joints, and increase mindfulness and mobility
* Hand, lower limb, and foot motions to address peripheral neuropathy
* Yoga poses to improve bone density, balance, strength and flexibility
* Gentle stretches to massage the whole body
* Meditations like body scans to facilitate mindfulness, connection, acceptance, and relaxation
* We will leave time for a reclining rest pose (Savasana) at the very end.
What to bring:
* A yoga mat, and a chair for support during transitions and balance poses if needed.
* If you have 2 yoga blocks and a yoga strap (non-stretchy) that would also be helpful, but optional.
* Water or something to stay hydrated.
* 2 pillows and blanket to feel supported and comfy for the rest pose at the end of class.
What to wear: Comfortable clothing you can move in, bare feet or grippy socks, OR shoes you can easily slip on and off if you feel more stable in standing poses wearing them
Research:
• Cancer survivors including those recently diagnosed report better sleep, less stress, and improved mood and quality of life with the practice of yoga.
• Qualitative results showed improvements in overall mental health, anxiety, depression, and mood. Physical health showed improvements in fatigue. These improvements were shown to last 8 weeks post practice.
Instructor:
Ann MacMullan is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and yoga instructor (E-RYT 500) and the IWMF Wellness Program Coordinator She enjoys uplifting the WM community through breath-connected movement, mindfulness, and by creating a supportive group environment on Zoom. Her father was diagnosed with WM in 2019.
Ann can be reached directly at [e-mail]