Yoga Classes for Cancer Patients, Caregivers Set at CARTI
Using yoga to help manage cancer treatment and recovery is the focus of a new pilot program being introduced in September at the CARTI Cancer Center in Little Rock.
Donna Terrell’s Yoga Warriors Fighting Colon Cancer and CARTI will begin an on-going, twice monthly series of free yoga classes for cancer patients led by oncology-trained certified yoga instructors from Arkansas Yoga Collective.
“Donna Terrell’s Yoga Warriors Fighting Colon Cancer is honored to be able to provide this service to cancer patients, survivors and their caregivers, says Terrell, the Emmy Award-winning Arkansas news anchor of KLRT Fox 16 in Little Rock.
Enrollment has begun for the first session scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on September 6 at the CARTI Cancer Center. Classes are open to all cancer patients, survivors and caregivers, and there is no cost to participate. Class size is limited, so pre-registration is recommended but not required. To register, call 501-660-7610 or email cgarrett@carti.com.
“Aside from the physical attack of the disease on the body, cancer can also prey on the emotional and mental well-being of patients and caregivers as a result of the heightened stress that often accompanies diagnosis and treatment,”says Diane Wilder, M.D., CARTI medical oncologist. “Common yoga principles such as meditation, relaxation and concentration not only help improve the overall mood, health and well-being of patients, but can also assist in alleviating cancer-related depression, anxiety and insomnia.”
Terrell established Yoga Warriors in 2014 as a means to promote cancer awareness and to advocate the health benefits of yoga for oncology patients in memory of her late daughter, Queah, who she lost to colon cancer in 2011.
“My daughter benefited from yoga during her battle with colon cancer, so being able to provide free yoga classes to cancer patients, survivors and their caregivers is what Yoga Warriors was meant to do,” says Terrell. “We are grateful to CARTI for recognizing the benefits yoga can bring to people battling all types of cancers.”
Yoga Warriors is a not-for-profit organization. For more information, visit yogawarriors.org.
