Cancer meets yoga in a new program that introduces yoga to cancer patients and survivors to help reduce stress, increase longevity of life, and improve body health overall.
The program started in Feb., at Memorial Medical Center (MMC), 2450 South Telshor Boulevard.
The “Monday Mindful Movement and Rest” classes are hosted every Monday at noon in the Piñon Room found at the MMC Annex. The “Balance and Flow” classes are held every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., also, in the Piñon room.
Monday Mindful Movement and Rest are hosted by Certified Yoga Instructor Margo Sorum. Balance and Flow classes are hosted by Kendra Johnson, a cancer survivor and certified yoga instructor.
MMC partnered with Cancer Warriors of Las Cruces, a nonprofit, and two yoga instructors to offer these free classes to cancer patients and survivors. Cancer patients and survivors within the community are also able to participate.
Each yoga class begins with Yoga Nidra, a conscious relaxation and meditation practice to help the nervous system reset for healing.
Classes with Johnson will focus on rebuilding strength and working on balance.
Johnson was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and at the time she discovered meditation. She said she would use meditation during her treatment along with practicing yoga.
“So, I had fatigue. I stayed active through my treatment but what happened for me personally was that I had radiation and so when that was over, I’ve lost pretty much all my mobility on my left shoulder and I couldn’t raise my arm above my head at all,” Johnson said.
She added that she had multiple surgeries that did not allow her to practice yoga the way she had in the past.
“It was very discouraging to go back to something I had been doing and not be able to do it the way I used to be able to,” she said. “Somewhere along the way, I got my yoga teaching certification, and it seemed too overwhelming but then I met Margo.”
Sorum has been practicing yoga for over 10 years. In 2015 she directed a yoga program for a cancer center in Anchorage, Alaska. She moved to Las Cruces last year and introduced the same idea here.
Classes just began a little over a month ago but Andrew Cummins, marketing director for MMC, said the program is seeing a lot of support.
“We are seeing 15-20 participants at each class. The integration of yoga into oncology care has shown significant benefits for patients’ physical, emotional, and psychological well-being,” Cummins said.
If interested in Monday’s classes, text yoga instructors Sorum at 907-947-2030 or blissyogawithmargo@gmail.com. For the Wednesday class, contact Johnson at 575-621-6996 or kendra.johnson@icloud.com.
