yoga4cancer TeacherONLINE + WEEKEND Training PROGRAM MANUAL ird Edition TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome About y4c and Disclaimers Module #1 – The Foundation #1.1 – Introduction and the ABCs Module #2 – Physical and Emotional State of a Survivor #2.1 – Cancer Basics #2.2 – The Human Body and Immunity #2.3 – Cancer staging and Diagnostic Tools #2.4 – Western Cancer Treatments #2.5 – Common Side Effects Module #3 – The Science of Yoga #3.1 – Scientific Foundation of the y4c Methodology #3.2 – Yoga Benefits #3.3 – Warm-up Vinyasa Module #4 – The y4c Methodology #4.1 – Introduction / The y4c Method #4.2 – y4c Sequences and Poses #4.3 – y4c Tools #4.4 – y4c Class Plan Module #5 – Preparing to Teach #5.1 – Advice and Cautions Appendix © yoga4cancer 2018 1 WELCOME TO THE YOGA4CANCER TEACHER TRAINING I am thrilled to welcome you to the yoga4cancer community and want to thank the thousands of yoga teachers and other healthcare practitioners that have participated in my trainings since 2005. Together we help cancer survivors and patients live longer, healthier and happier lives through the practice of yoga. My philosophy is that ‘true compassion comes through knowledge and understanding’. Only when we understand the unique challenges – both physical and emotional – of our students can we best provide guidance and leadership to achieve a healing yoga practice. The training you are about to undergo will provide you with information, tools, insights about cancer and its treatment after a cancer diagnosis. This manual has been provided to reinforce and support your training, homework assignments and ultimately to effectively support your cancer community. It’s a compilation of expert resources, my essays, other articles, practical guides and unique yoga poses that I have used and improved since my own cancer diagnosis and treatments in 2002. Some of the enclosed content is purely mine, whilst others I have relied on expert third parties to help provide the scientific data and insight. All sources are well noted for your further use. My advice is that this training should mark the beginning of your thirst for knowledge and understanding of the cancer community. Research on both cancer and yoga are still in their infancy and will continue to evolve. Embrace the curiosity that led you to this training, as it will be your ultimate asset. Learn the facts, dispel myths and gain knowledge to be truly compassionate yoga teachers. We have important work to do together. Let’s get started! Best, Tari Prinster Founder, yoga4cancer LLC and the Retreat Project (501c3) © yoga4cancer 2018 2 ABOUT YOGA4CANCER yoga yoga4cancer (y4c) is a specialized yoga methodology that is TM tailored to address the specific physical and emotional needs left by cancer and its treatments. This unique approach is not y4c just gentle or restorative yoga, but focuses on how to stimulate cancer the immune system through movement, improve flexibility and strength along with how to reduce anxiety and boost overall well-being. y4c was developed by Tari Prinster – a cancer survivor and master yoga teacher. Tari has been offering teacher training, classes, and retreats across the US and beyond since 2003. She was featured in the film YogaWoman, recipient of the first Annual Seva Leadership Award by Yoga Journal, and regularly presents at Yoga Journal and other industry conferences. y4c is currently helping thousands of cancer patients and survivors in the US and other International markets through: § Classes & Privates § Teacher Trainings & Workshops § Publications and Resources § Retreats Today, we help hundreds of survivors. With your help, we will help millions. Yoga 4 Cancer is a registered LLC in New York State. y4c Vision: yoga4cancer is prescribed and available for all those touched by cancer. © yoga4cancer 2018 3 Medical Disclaimer The y4c Teacher Training Manual contains text, graphics, images, and other content (collectively “Content”), which are for informational purposes only. Content contained in this document is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted for medical advice and answers to personal health questions. This y4c Teacher Training Manual does not constitute an attempt to practice medicine. Ownership and Proprietary Rights The brands, names, logos, trade names, trademarks, service marks and other distinctive identifications (collectively “Marks”) in the y4c Teacher Training Manual, including, without limitation, “Yoga 4 Cancer” and “y4c” are the trademarks and intellectual property of and proprietary to Yoga 4 Cancer, LLC. You have no right to use any of these Marks or any marks confusingly similar thereto for any purpose without the express prior written consent of Yoga 4 Cancer, LLC, such consent shall be in the sole and absolute discretion of Yoga 4 Cancer, LLC. No part of this y4c Teacher Training Manual may be reproduced in any form except by prior written permission from Yoga 4 Cancer, LLC. Fair Use Notice This Manual contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyrighted owner. This material is made available for educational purposes. It is believed that this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. section 107 of the US Copyright Law. This material is distributed without charge or profit. © yoga4cancer 2018 4 MODULE #1 – THE FOUNDATION Introduction and the ABCs The y4c Methodology was developed over the past two decades through personal experience, medical and scientific fact-finding, applied professional experience and ultimately results. When Tari was diagnosed with breast cancer, she found yoga extremely helpful during her treatment and recovery process. Her personal experience with the benefits of yoga for cancer ignited a passion to learn more and uncover the science behind both yoga and cancer. Ultimately, Tari became a Vinyasa yoga instructor and developed a teaching approach tailored specifically to cancer survivors—one that can be adapted to suit different types of cancer, stages of treatment and recovery. The goal of this training is to share the methodology with you. The following ideas are key to the y4c (yoga4cancer) Methodology and approach: Awareness True compassion grows out of understanding and knowledge. Understanding begins with awareness of our own preconceptions about cancer and yoga, and a willingness to continually investigate and challenge those notions, seeking out facts. For example, people may have the following misconceptions about cancer and yoga: § Cancer is one disease. FALSE. There are hundreds of categories of cancer, and within each category there may be several types, all requiring different treatments and involving different side effects. § Cancer is a death sentence. FALSE. Many people do not die from cancer, and the numbers who survive are continually growing. This means more people will need yoga and other solutions to help them recover and maintain a strong Immune System into the future. § Cancer is the hard part. FALSE. The treatments such as surgeries, chemotherapy, and © yoga4cancer 2018 5 radiation are often more debilitating. § Yoga for cancer is all about relaxation. FALSE. Active exercises have benefits for survivors, including supporting the Immune System, strengthening bones, and providing a sense of empowerment. The y4c method includes both active and restorative poses. § Yoga won’t hurt you. FALSE. There are many styles of yoga and movements that can be harmful to cancer survivors. A responsible teacher must know how to modify these to provide a safe class. Awareness also applies to the teacher’s own fears about cancer and death. Whether you are a survivor or not, this training will encourage you to face your fears, since facing them is an important step toward deepening your understanding of what cancer survivors may experience. “When I heard three little words—invasive ductal carcinoma—that means you have cancer; it took my breath away. An uninvited guest, cancer came into my life and refocused me. The diagnosis was only the beginning of my breathless moments. The parade of treatment options, decisions, side effects, medication, expenses, insurance forms, phone calls, and empty hours of waiting for test results—all left me floating on a sea of uncertainty and fear. No matter what kind or stage, cancer or other life-threatening traumas steal the breath, cloud the mind, and weaken the body.” — Tari Prinster We must also be aware, and acknowledge, that the science of yoga and cancer is still in its infancy. More research is coming out, but further studies are needed and much remains unknown. So awareness also means remaining aware of the limits of our understanding—both in terms of the science, and in terms of the inner experience of a particular survivor—and the possibility of misunderstanding. © yoga4cancer 2018 6 “Do not imagine that you already understand and impose your imperfect understanding on those that come to you for help.” — B.K.S. Iyengar “Do not imagine that you already understand Benefits Awareness leads to a better understanding of the benefits of yoga for cancer survivors. In the y4c approach, we strive to be informed about the physical benefits of certain types of poses and movements, as well as the emotional benefits yoga can offer in helping to reduce the stress, fear and anxiety that may accompany a cancer diagnosis and treatments. During this training, we will explore and discuss specific benefits, so you will be prepared to teach classes that can help students regain strength and mobility after surgery, support a healthy Immune System, protect and strengthen bones that may be weakened from treatments, and reduce stress. Additionally, the y4c approach places an emphasis on educating students about the benefits so they will have a sense of how they can participate in their own healing process. This is an important means of empowering survivors and giving them hope.