174: Yoga For Cancer with Tari Prinster

You may not have known it, but if you teach public yoga classes you have taught someone who's life has been touched by cancer. In this episode, I'm joined by Tari Prinster, a true pioneer in the field of oncology yoga. Tari is a cancer survivor, author, and founder of Yoga for Cancer (Y4C), a methodology that has trained thousands of yoga and healthcare professionals around the world. We go deep into what it really means to teach yoga in the context of cancer, and how this work has evolved over the past few decades. Cancer is not going away, and with survival rates increasing, the need for informed, compassionate yoga teachers is greater than ever. In this episode, you'll hear:  The origins of Yoga for Cancer and how what began as a personal practice quickly evolved into a groundbreaking methodology—at a time when oncology yoga didn't exist. How the cancer landscape has changed including the major shift from cancer being seen as a death sentence to a condition where the majority of people now survive.  The huge implications for yoga teachers and the role we play in long-term wellness now that there are 20 million cancer survivors in the US.  The physiology behind Yoga for Cancer, including: The role of the lymphatic system in detoxification and immunity How breath and movement support lymph flow Why inversions and specific movements can either help—or hinder—recovery The impact of cancer treatments on bones, fatigue, and overall health About yoga4cancer (y4c) yoga4cancer (y4c) is a specialized oncology yoga methodology founded by cancer survivor and master yoga teacher Tari Prinster. With more than 3,000 certified teachers trained across 30+ countries, y4c is the leading oncology yoga certification and training organization in the world. The program equips yoga teachers, therapists, and healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to safely support cancer patients and survivors — from active treatment through long-term survivorship. Courses mentioned in this episode: 5-Hour Oncology Yoga Course: An accessible entry point into Oncology y\Yoga. Learn the foundations of the y4c methodology, the unique needs of cancer survivors, and how to begin adapting your practice or teaching. 75-Hour Certificate Program: The gold-standard Oncology Yoga certification. A rigorous, evidence-informed curriculum covering cancer biology, treatment side effects, the y4c methodology, and supervised practice. Graduates join a global directory of certified oncology yoga professionals. Use code cervero20% for 20% off  Click here to register.  More From Tari: Yoga for Cancer by Tari Prinster Schmitz et al. (2021) — ACSM Moving Through Cancer Guidelines This episode is brought to you by OfferingTree, an easy-to-use, all-in-one online platform for yoga teachers that provides a personal website, booking, payment, blogging, and many other great features. If you sign up at www.offeringtree.com/mentor, you'll get 50% off your first three months (or 15% off any annual plan)!  OfferingTree supports me with each sign-up. I'm proud to be supported by a public benefit company whose mission is to further wellness access and education for everyone.