Transform Yourself, Transform Your Health
Who is this program for?
How does it work?
What language is the program available in?
What is the program’s syllabus?
If I still am undergoing treatments can I come?
If I didn’t go through with chemotherapy or radiation, can I still come?
What cancers do you work with?
What stages of cancer do you accept?
What are the age limitations?
Can you provide cure for cancer?
I had cancer 10 years ago but I would like to enroll in the program – can I be accepted? Why this program is so long?
Can I come for one or two weeks only?
Do I need to know yoga or be yoga practitioner to take the program?
What is asana class?
What is pranayama?
What is Yoga Nidra?
What is meditation class?
Do I need to believe in God to sign in?
Is yoga a religion?
What do I need to make best out of this program?
This program is designed for anyone who has or has had cancer and who would like to regenerate the energy and learn yogic approach to preventing recurrence of cancer. These approaches include a deep look at lifestyle, role of nutrition and environment.
This program is perfect if you:
The program is highly experiential. Through the use of yogic science, it addresses the needs of the whole person – body, mind, emotion and spirit. Towards the end, the program provides individualized take-home yogic practices to sustain or even deepen the positive changes achieved during the program.
Here is what other participants say after taking this program:
“This is a profoundly healing program, on all levels–physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual…”
“I was able to let go of crazy amounts of tension (physical and mental) and to truly experience relaxation and rejuvenation of body, mind, emotions, and soul. I saw others do the same. Everyone got more clarity on a number of issues that they were dealing with in their lives, even beyond those related to cancer (or asthma). We all experienced increased levels of Joy! We all learned better how to become observers of our emotions, of where our feelings are located in our bodies, and how to effectively lessen any emotionally distressing sensations via the Yoga Nidra process. We all experienced the healing power of a wide variety of yoga practices–just taking the time to practice these yogic practices changed and healed us all! Everyone experienced lessening of negative symptoms such as depression, anxiety, anger, confusion, fatigue, and also experienced an increase in physical and mental vigor…”
“I think the group support and the length of the program were vital for the cancer patients to be able to open up to what’s holding them back from healing, and to learn new ways of coping with the challenges that cancer brings to one’s life and relationships. All the yoga practices undoubtedly helped in the overall healing experiences. I think the Guided Visualizations with building a cocoon of Loving Light and the Yoga Nidra experiences were particularly valuable in giving clients effective tools for helping them stay out of their negative emotional reactions and to enable them to feel their abilities to choose more positive ways of thinking and viewing what’s going on with them…”
The program is online, which means that you enjoy it while in your home setting. It is based on Yoga science, which means that we use evidence-based yoga practices to help participants to heal. When we say yoga, we mean not only gentle body postures (asana) but more importantly breathing techniques (pranayama), meditation, yogic relaxation techniques (yoga Nidra) as well as chanting (repetitive singing).
The program progresses through 5 weeks, developing participants’ skills in yogic practices, awareness of the body and of the personal inner world. Because of that there is no option of taking 1 or 2 weeks of the program.
The schedule is very intensive but not taxing. The groups are no more then 8 participants and there is a room for individual modification of the program according to the level of energy and physical skills of each participants. The classes are from 7 am till 5 pm 6 days a week. There is a week break in classes – during week 2 and 4 you will practice on your own using provided materials and knowledge gained in previous week.
Week 1 – Classes
Week 2 – Break for Practice
Week 3 – Classes
Week 4 – Break for Practice
Week 5 – Classes
During the program it will be recommended that you keep a diary after each class and at the end of the day.
At the end of the program you will receive a number of electronic files with recordings, which you will be able to use at home.
The program progresses from day one to twenty-one, developing participants’ skills in yogic practices, awareness of the body and connection to your true Self. Because of that, there is no option of taking 2 or 1 week of the program. The vegan meals are provided 3 times a day and the herbal tea and fruits in the afternoon. The price includes room, board and all the classes.
The schedule is very intensive but not taxing. The groups are no more than 8 participants and there is a room for individual modification of program according to the level of energy and physical skills of participants. The classes are from 7:00 am till 8:45 pm 6 days a week. Sundays are off and available for visiting local tourist attractions.
If you have, please bring your laptop and memory stick (pen drive). During the retreat it will be recommended that you keep an electronic diary after each class and at the end of the day. At the end of the retreat, you will receive a number of electronic files, which you will be able to use at home.
There will be times available for personal electronic communication and the Internet is available at no extra charge. In the hall/class room the phones are banned.
At the moment the programs are available only in English.
This 5-week yoga intensive program aims at cancer patients who finished chemotherapy and/or radiation.
The goal is to:
Week 1
Lectures:
Introduction of yogic techniques – asanas, pranayama, meditation, restorative yoga, yoga Nidra and chanting – as an effective and research-based ancient science that will be experienced both on practical level and through the lectures on anatomy and physiology of yoga.
Practical:
Week 3
Lectures:
Introduction of endocrinal and nervous human physiology. You will learn about carcinogenic factors in diet, life style and the environmental toxicity with emphasis on natural detoxification. Patients prepare an individualized “Fridge List” of 24 health-promoting changes they will implement after the program.
Practical:
Basic work with emotions and thought processes:
Week 5
Group work:
Life Mandala – a meditative process of reexamining the core belief system and reconnecting with one’s heart calling, through the process of mapping the changes on Mandala drawing
Practical:
Deepening work with emotions and thought processes
Upon completion of the program patients will:
Yes, however please consider your level of energy – the program is rather intensive.
Yes – any cancer patient can come regardless of treatment taken.
We do not work with cancers but we work with people who have or had cancer. Our focus is on holistic approach using yoga science to bring the body to balance and strengthen the immune system. We also educate participants with regards to carcinogenic factors in our daily lives and how to prevent them. Finally we provide the tools, which participants can use in their daily lives at home.
We accept patients with all cancers at all stages.
We accept patients with all cancer stages providing they are self-sufficient and can move around without any help.
The program is designed for mature participants. Therefore, we accept adult from 24 old providing that you are able to move around without any help.
We do not claim to provide a cure for cancer. But continuous practice of asanas, meditation, avoidance of certain foods and environment can help prevent recurrence of the condition. Our focus is on working with people who have or had cancer respecting their physical limitations We offer a holistic approach towards healing, using yoga science to bring the body to balance and strengthen the immune system. We also educate participants with regards to carcinogenic factors in our daily lives and how to prevent them. Finally we provide the tools, which participants can use in their daily lives at home.
Yes – providing that there is space available.
This program lasts five weeks. It takes that long for yogic practices to start taking effect and result in positive transformation, which participants can clearly feel. This positive transformation becomes a major motivation for continuing the practices on your own and to make healthy change within themselves and in their home environment. It also takes 5 weeks to develop basic yoga skills, which participants then can use confidently on their own at home.
We do not accept participants after the program has started. From day one the participants develop close relationships and the group becomes a major support factor for the duration of the program. Therefore, it is very important for all to attend the program from day one and participate in all activities.
Each week we progress to the next level of yoga skills and self-development in our program. Therefore, we ask that you to participate from the beginning to the end in order to attain all the benefits of the program.
The only qualification for the program is your past cancer diagnosis. In fact, we often have both yoga teachers and people completely new to yoga. You do not need to know anything about yoga or be yoga practitioner. The practices you will be doing are introduced slowly and always matching your level of skill and ability. The main goal of yoga practices (asana, pranayama, meditation, chanting and yoga Nidra) is to facilitate the healing of your body, your emotions and your mind. All those who apply themselves to the program benefit from it equally.
In the morning you will have 1 hour of class where you will do some gentle stretching and body relaxation postures. The specific body postures in yoga are called asanas. There is a large body of research providing an insight into the health benefits of asanas – such as an increase of well-being and energy levels as well as decrease of many negative factors like fatigue, stress, depression, anxiety etc.
We base our program on classical Hatha Yoga and use simple, easy to do asanas. We make sure that you do them only to the level of your ability and if you have any specific limitations we modify postures for your needs.
Asanas, or yogic postures, differ from normal stretching exercises in the way they are performed. In our morning asana classes the emphasis is on relaxation, reduction of stress, awareness and connection to the body and emotions. After asana class you feel refreshed and ready for the day.
Pranayama refers to breathing techniques where the inhale and exhale are managed in a very specific way. Pranayama has proven to be very powerful in its healing effects and aims, among other things, at controlling our autonomous nervous system (ANS). Since ANS controls the main body functions proper pranayama can restore and balance many body functions. The pranayama practices are easy to perform and can be done by everyone under proper guidance.
“Nidra” in Sanskrit means sleep. It is an deep yogic relaxation practice, which in last few decades was adopted by Dr.R.Miller, PhD, a clinical psychologist, author, researcher and yogic scholar, to present day needs (see https://www.irest.us/projects/irest)
Yoga Nidra is integrative, in that it heals the various unresolved issues, traumas, and wounds that are present in the body and mind. It is restorative in that it aids its practitioners in recognizing their underlying peace of mind that is always present amidst all changing circumstances of life. Extensive research has shown also that effectively it supports the healing process across a broad range of populations.
In general terms the meditation is the process of inner exploration or journey within. Since most of our participants do not have established meditation practices or have never meditated before, we teach guided yogic meditation. One sits in comfortable position with closed eyes and is guided by the facilitator’s voice. The instructions are easy to follow and there is always individual attention and guidance when needed.
There is a large body of research documenting positive changes in those who practice meditation. As people practice with time they are able to change the physical and the functional structure of the brain. This can result in positive changes in perception, ability to focus, stress release, increased inner peace and joy and other positive emotions.
Our meditations are always preceded by either pranayama or chanting. This prepares you by creating favorable states for meditation and/or contemplation
If you have your own established meditation practice you will be able to choose what you want to do.
The program is not associated with any religion nor at any point will you be asked to believe in God. Yoga is a holistic approach to human health and happiness. It is a science that is available to people of all persuasions, all faiths (or no faith) and all levels of physical and emotional conditions. The yogic practices you will learn have been scientifically proven to benefit the physical, emotional and mental body.
Yoga is over 4000 years old science, which came to us from Indian sub-continent. It uses various techniques and practices for the benefit of human being – the body, mind and emotions. It is important to understand that yoga is not a religion, although it contains a very deep spiritual path. You do not have to change your beliefs or your religion or spiritual practice for yoga to be of positive value in your day-to-day life.
It has been said that the difference between the religion and Yoga lies in that religion requires one to believe in dogma – God. Yoga is not asking to believe anything except in your own experiences while practicing yogic techniques.
Yoga has no association with any religion and accepts students of all religions.
Here is what you will need to do/have to take full advantage of the program and the benefit it may give you:
DIET:
The diet has great influence on your body and moods. In order to take better advantage of the program you will be asked to limit your diet to vegetarian only. Make your meals light and drink at least 2 liters of clean water per day. You also will be asked to stop the intake of coffee and black tea for the duration of program and replace it with herbal drinks.