Clinic uses yoga to battle cancer stress

At the Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit, Michigan, 11 women repose on the floor of the classroom in the Wertz Clinic. In the subdued light of candles, the women are listening to soft music and the soothing voice of their yoga instructor. “Invite your eyes to close,” coaxes instructor Michelle Moten. Moten, a personal trainer with a background in sports medicine, is preparing for a yoga instruction certification. Part of her program’s community service prerequisite is offering yoga classes to the Center’s cancer patients. Yoga is an ancient eastern tradition that usually includes regulated breathing, moving through various postures and meditation. Its adherents believe the practice promotes a general sense of health and well-being, attributes often lost by patients when cancer is diagnosed. "Yoga helps to reduce stress," explains Moten. “It helps the cancer patient to be calm, to let go of negative expectations and to prepare themselves for a new day.” Starting with breathing and stretching exercises, simple yoga postures gently stretch and strengthen muscles. It improves mobility, flexibility, respiration, circulation, digestion and elimination. Shirley Williams of Detroit said she was usually a restless sleeper. “After yoga, I feel like I have been on a 20 minute walk, and I sleep like a log.” Maureen Toutant of Clinton Township said that the yoga sessions have helped her with pain modification. “I was in pain from previous surgeries, but the yoga has helped a great deal.” Maureen added that she felt more alert and had more energy after a yoga session. Working within comfortable limits, Moten guides the women through gentle movements, finishing with a final relaxation exercise. “Take a moment to thank yourself,” Moten instructs softly, “for taking an hour to do something wonderful for yourself.” The yoga program is one of many tools the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute uses in its battle against cancer. Backed by state-of-the-science cancer research, the Detroit center is designated by the National Cancer Institute as among the best cancer centers in the United States.