This January you may have made New Year’s resolutions to improve your fitness, strength, to work on your wellbeing or to make more time for you. Ray of Light Cancer Support is delighted that we continue to offer free, weekly yoga sessions to anyone affected by cancer. The kind of people that attend may be carers, family members or friends of anyone that has been diagnosed with cancer or has historically had cancer, as well as the individual who has or has had a diagnosis.
What is yoga?
Yoga is a holistic practice combining physical movement, breathing exercises, and mindfulness techniques. Its benefits go beyond just physical fitness and can positively impact mental and emotional well-being also. For anyone with or who has been affected by cancer, incorporating yoga into their routine can have many advantages, promoting both physical healing and psychological strength.
Why Yoga?
- Relieve Stress:
Yoga provides an escape from daily life and helps alleviate stress levels. A cancer diagnosis for yourself or a loved one can lead to feelings of fear, anxiety, and depression due to the uncertainty and emotional strain it brings. By practicing yoga, individuals learn to focus on the present moment, calming their minds, reducing stress levels, reducing anxiety, and activating the body’s relaxation response. - Increased Strength and Flexibility:
The physical poses in yoga help to improve strength, flexibility, and balance. Regular practice can tone muscles, increase endurance, and enhance overall physical performance. Improved flexibility can reduce the risk of injury and promote healthy joints and muscles. - Improved Mental Clarity and Focus:
Yoga involves deep breathing techniques and concentration, which helps enhance mental clarity and focus. By calming the mind, yoga improves cognitive function, and overall mental well-being. The meditative qualities of yoga encourage self-reflection, allowing people to accept their emotions without judgment, fostering some sense of inner peace and emotional well-being. - Better Sleep Quality:
Regular yoga practice has been shown to improve sleep quality. By reducing stress, calming the mind, and promoting relaxation, yoga may enable a deeper and more restful sleep. Increased sleep can rejuvenate the mind and body, leaving people feeling more energised and refreshed. - Increased Mind-Body Connection:
Yoga emphasises connection between the mind and body. Through mindfulness and deliberate movement, you can gain a deeper understanding of your physical and mental state. This awareness and self-reflection can enable you to listen to your body’s needs, promoting self-care and understanding your physical and mental needs. - Improved Energy Levels:
Yoga can provide an energy boost. By improving circulation, oxygenation, and releasing tension in the body, yoga can help to combat fatigue and increase overall energy levels. - Emotional Well-being:
Yoga is not only beneficial for the physical body but also helps in emotional healing and well-being. Through breathing, meditation, and focusing on positive affirmations, yoga can help manage emotions, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and promote positivity and self-healing.
If any of the above reasons appeal to you then please join us. We aim to create a safe space for anyone that has experienced the turmoil that a cancer diagnosis can have to increase overall wellbeing. Our sessions are free of charge and sanitised mats are provided. The class can be completed by all, no experience necessary. Yoga with Mel is every Tuesday 12:30 – 1:30pm at the YMa Building, Pontypridd.
For more information please feel free to contact us and ask any questions.
Website: www.rayoflightwales.org.uk/group/yoga-with-mel
Call: 0797134970
Email: contactus@rayoflightwales.org.uk
