Yoga in Oncology Training for Certified Yoda Teachers (Montreal, April 25-28, 2019)
Last April I had the opportunity with my colleague Dr. Annelie Anestin to offer a yoga oncology training to yoga teachers recruited by the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation. Indeed, offering yoga classes to people with breast cancer requires special knowledge.
The 6-week program offered was adapted from Professor Bali’s yoga method for study in two doctoral research studies at the University of Quebec. Preliminary results have shown benefits on quality of life, depressive symptoms and fatigue during chemotherapy treatments. The Bali Yoga program was developed by Madan Bali, a renowned yoga master who has been teaching in Canada for over 40 years. 23 yoga teachers from across Quebec attended an intense 4-day training. The first part of the training covered theoretical and empirical data from psycho-oncology.
The second part included the theory of the Madan Bali yoga method as well as the practice and learning of this approach adapted for the research entitled the Bali Yoga Program for Breast Cancer (BYP-BC).
The Bali yoga program includes breast cancer psycho-education, yoga postures adapted to this population as well as visualization and mindfulness meditation. Emphasis is placed on the experience of the postures and frequent relaxation periods to promote a sense of empowerment in the face of illness.
The yoga teachers have all received certification for this training and will be able to offer safe and beneficial yoga to the breast cancer patients they work with. When teaching yoga to people with breast cancer, it is important to be sensitive to the specific needs of this population and to take them into account during the practice. Each person has a unique story. Knowledge of the stages of the disease and its treatments as well as its physical and psychological repercussions is necessary.
Thank you to the Breast Cancer Foundation for participating in the recruitment of the yoga teachers and for supporting them in their teaching activities with this population.
References :
Anestin, A.S., Dupuis, G., Lanctôt, D., Bali, M. (2016). The Effects of the Bali Yoga Program for Breast Cancer patients (BYP-BC) on Cancer Related Fatigue: Results of a Randomized Partially Blinded Controlled – Article published in the Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine
Lanctôt, D., Dupuis, G., Marcaurelle, R., Anestin, A.S. & Bali, M. (2016). The effects of the Bali Yoga Program (BYP-BC) on reducing psychological symptoms in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: results of a partially blinded randomized trial. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine. DOI 10.1515/jcim-2015-0089
Anestin, A. S., Dupuis, G., Lanctôt, D., Marcaurelle, R., Dubé, P, Martin, G, & Bali, M. (2013). The impact of a yoga program (Bali Yoga Program-Breast Cancer, BYP-BC) on mood changes in women diagnosed with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Poster presented at the Canadian Psychosocial Oncology Conference, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Lanctôt, D., Dupuis, G., Marcaurelle, R., Anestin, A.S. & Bali, M. (2012). “The impact of the Bali yoga program on the psychological condition and quality of life of women qualified for breast cancer” Doctoral dissertation, Université du Québec à Montréal, http://virtuolien.uqam.ca/tout /UQAM_BIB001196002