Niroga Health Care Programs

Feedback from Cancer Survivors on Healing Yoga Protocol

Alta Bates Summit Comprehensive Cancer Center, Berkeley, CA; ongoing for last 8 years

• "I’m able to breathe better, have less pain, and am able to better cope with stress."
• "The class allows me the ability to stop and relax, to really tune into my body. After a diagnosis of cancer, this type of activity is essential for healing."
• "Now I know there’s a place inside me that is whole – unbroken and well even if I have scars on the outside and memories of caustic treatments. Knowing this place exists gives me hope."
• "I’m much more calm and don’t worry about things that I have no control over. I’m in the present and don’t worry about the past or future."
• "There is another way to deal with my disease."
• "The poses help manage pain; the breathing helps lower blood pressure."
• "The instructors’ knowledge, experience, and understanding; consistency, clear instruction"
• "The creation of a spiritual healing environment; friendly, gentle, and sensitive"
• "BK is excellent, very calming, wonderful, kind; the pacing is individualized."
• "Breath instruction and variety between static poses and movement; the meditative aspects."
• "The fact that each person can work to her ability without pressure; the calmness."
• "Combining mindful opposites: tension and relaxation exercises, letting go, all with mindful breathing. So important to spend time attuned exquisitely to your body"
• " I’ve never experienced a yoga class like this, where an ‘invitation’ is made to my body to stretch, to challenge the limits."
• "When I started in July after 8 chemo sessions, my strength and balance were gone. Now in October they are nearly the same as before cancer thanks to this class."
• "Working with other people who have/had cancer."
• "BK has certainly helped me with my back problems, and having gone through chemo, it has given me confidence and reassurance."
• "That it’s at the Cancer Center, reminds me to make keeping myself healthy a priority."
• "That Alta Bates thinks it’s important to offer this to patients"
• "This Yoga class is the one truly healing activity I’ve participated in since my cancer diagnosis 8 years ago."
• "This Yoga class is one of the most healing experiences I’ve had after all the toxicity of treatment - surgery and chemo. It is very important to me!"

Healing Journeys Workshop, Monterey, CA; April 21, 2007

• "B.K. exudes a calmness, sureness which gives an unmistakable strength to his method."
• "This was totally awesome. I was left wanting more!"
• "Inspirational!"
• "BK was excellent in putting into practice, through yoga, healing body, mind & soul. His exercises were exceptional.
• "Outstanding. Very good teacher!"
• "Loved it. I loved hearing his philosophy on what Yoga should be. What kind of yoga to avoid"
• "Loved it. Best yoga ever!!"
• "Might have been timing, but I fell asleep."
• "Marvelous!"
• "Very inspiring!"

Healing Journeys Conference: Cancer as a Turning Point
September 13 and 14, 2008; Sacramento, CA

Feedback on Healing Yoga sessions presented by Bidyut (BK) Bose

• "Most motivating appeal to do yoga that I’ve ever heard!"
• "Great way to get energized while calming at the same time."
• "Loved. Loved. Loved."
• "Best movement and exercise ever!"
• "Too short. Too short."
• "Excellent set of movements for short time period."
• "Wonderful. Touching. So supportive."
• "Such positive effects in such a short time!"
• "Calming, gentle, wise, wonderful addition."
• "Not fancy yoga - I’ve done yoga for 20 years. This was a gentle and helpful introduction."
• "Loved him. Will explore with yoga. "
• "I had never done yoga before, so the “warm-up” before lunch was wonderful. "
• " I needed to move and wake up. It was great!"
• "First time I did yoga and didn’t hurt my neck."
• "Fantastic both days."
• "Good way to end the morning."
• "I never thought I could do yoga. I followed along and it felt great!"
• "Gorgeous healing voice!"
• "Wonderful, especially for someone who is totally non-flexible. Very supportive and inspiring!"
• "That felt good. Would like to know the translation of the mantra."
• "Perfect time to do this: before lunch."
• "Wish he could be a part of all conferences."
• "Wonderful release, inspiration and timing."
• "Resonating voice. Simple, easy-to-do movements."
• "Challenged me to relax."
• "Lovely and peaceful. Excellent! Thank you!!"
• "I had never done yoga before, and I had mixed feelings about it. I found that I could do it, and it felt so wonderful!"

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Other ways to support

Hundreds of cancer survivors use the Healing Yoga DVD from Niroga Institute: 20 Minutes a Day for Health and Well-Being.

This protocol has been approved for a multi-center research study.
» Learn more about the DVD