Are you a yoga teacher looking for inspiration? Would you like to learn how to use yoga to help cancer survivors? Then mark July 7-12 on your calendar (2011). On those days, Laura Kupperman-certified yoga teacher, yoga therapist, and Cinco Vidas expert-will be hosting a “Yoga for Survivors™” teacher-intensive course in Boulder, Colorado.
“The course is for yoga teachers of any tradition,” Laura says, “who want to make a difference in the lives of cancer survivors.” A breast-cancer survivor herself, Laura found that yoga helped her recover from her bilateral mastectomy. “During my first class, I could barely move. After only a few classes, my body was totally different.”
Now, through courses like these, Laura helps others learn the facets of yoga that are particularly helpful for cancer patients. “I’ve been teaching yoga to cancer survivors since 2005, at hospitals, clinics, and yoga studios. Many research studies have shown the benefit of yoga for cancer survivors, and there is a huge dearth of trained teachers and classes in this area. If you’ve ever thought of taking your teaching in a more therapeutic direction, and have a heart for working with cancer survivors, please consider participating in this course!”
What can you expect to learn at this six-day intensive? Laura says she’ll be teaching students how to work with survivors at any stage of recovery, and with any type of cancer. Her approach includes exploring the physical impact of a cancer diagnosis; as well the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. In addition to the regular course, there’s an “internship” phase in which you begin teaching classes or private lessons to survivors in your community, and complete additional readings and studying. During this phase you will be coached, supported, and mentored on both the teaching aspect and business aspect of creating, leading, and growing a successful class.
Finally, there will be a wonderful array of guest speakers and lots of opportunities for experiential learning. The only prerequisite is that you have to have been teaching yoga for at least one year.
“Yoga gives you this great toolbox of things you can use to feel better,” Laura says. “It teaches you to say, ‘Here’s how I feel right now, in this moment, and here’s what I need to do to take care of it.’”
To register, check out The Yoga Workshop’s website. You can subscribe to Laura’s newsletter, as well, which will have more information forthcoming.
Are you planning to attend this workshop? Please share your experience with us.
