Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs for Empowered Membership

What does the membership include?

The Empowered Membership includes access to all of our cancer-specific online content in the areas of yoga, strength training, meditation, self-guided massage, Energy Medicine, art classes for both adults and children, as well as extra bonuses. New content is provided every month.

How much does the membership cost?

When you purchase one of our programs, you have access to it for 12 full months.

Our Full Program includes everything we offer for $199.

Our Nutrition Program includes 160+ downloadable recipes and the informational booklet for $59.

The Meditation Program includes five guided meditations now and one new meditation each month for the 12-month program for $49.

Is it possible to get a refund if the membership isn’t right for me?

We have worked hard to create a membership that will meet the unique needs each person has on their cancer journey. If you are not satisfied with the membership or would like to see additional content, please let us know. We’d love to hear your feedback! Unfortunately, we cannot offer members refunds at this time.

FAQs for Yoga

What is yoga?

The word yoga means “to yoke” or “to unite” in Sanskrit. Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that promotes physical and mental well-being by uniting mindful breath with physical movement.

What is Energy Medicine Yoga?

Energy Medicine Yoga (often called EMYoga) blends the benefits of Energy Medicine therapy and yoga into one practice. Traditional yoga poses are used in EMYoga with the added benefit of additional movements and techniques that move blocked energy, release toxic emotions, and increase vitality. EMYoga does not require additional strength of flexibility.

I have cancer. Can I still do yoga?

Yes! Yoga has been proven in study after study to have a positive impact on the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of cancer patients. Always check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.

I have never tried yoga. Is it okay to start now after I’ve been diagnosed with cancer?

Yes! We all start somewhere and there is no better day than today! We welcome you to our program. Be mindful of what poses feel good to you and what poeses feel like too much for you. One of the many fantastic things about yoga is that many poses can be modified into “easier” and “more difficult” variations. If you have questions about a specific pose and how it should be modified to meet your individual needs, just contact us and we’ll help you!

I’m not very flexible. Will that make doing yoga difficult?

Being flexible is not a requirement for doing yoga. Some poses require more flexibility than others but the only way to gain more flexibility and range of motion in your body is to try and keep practicing what feels good.

What if I try a pose and I can’t do it?

Building a fluid yoga practice is about taking baby steps and many modifications are available for most poses. Poses you can’t do one day may come easy to you after some practice. If you have questions about a specific pose and how it should be modified to meet your individual needs, just contact us and we’ll help you!

I’m not very fit. Is yoga still right for me?

Yes! One of the many great things about yoga is that most poses can be adjusted to any level. If you aren’t fit, the first step is to start by moving your body is simple, gentle ways and then build from there. Your mind and body will thank you. We can help!

I was very active before my diagnosis. Will yoga be enough exercise for me?

There are many types of yoga, ranging from mild restorative yoga to intense power yoga. Take time to experiment with what feels good and challenges your body.

Can I practice yoga if I am overweight or underweight?

Yes! Yoga is beneficial for all body types, sizes, weights, and fitness levels.

How often should I practice yoga?

Studies have shown that even 10 minutes of yoga a day can improve bone strength. Consistency is key. If you would like to commit to doing yoga, be realistic about what will work for your schedule. Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one hour every two weeks. Many people find that doing a 20-45 minute practice two or three times a week is comfortable and beneficial, but doing more is great too!

Should I eat before I practice yoga?

Most instructors suggest not eating an hour before doing a yoga practice because many poses encourage you to twist and bend at the waist, which could be uncomfortable with a full stomach. However, we don’t advise doing yoga on an empty stomach either. Observe your own body and do what feels right for you. Always have water available during your practice.

What should I wear when I do yoga?

Wear cloths you feel most comfortable in and that offer you good range of motion. It may be helpful to dress in layers because your body may get warm throughout the practice but will cool down at the end of practice. We recommend doing our practice barefoot so you are less likely to slip.

Do I need any props to do yoga at home?

Find a location in your home where you have enough space to stretch your body wide. It is ideal to do yoga on hard wood floors, but carpet is okay too. We suggest the following props, which you can purchase online or at a local yoga studio. You may even be able to find props around your house that will work.

Sticky yoga mat. You recommend one. If you don’t have one, a large beach towel may work if you are doing yoga on carpet.
Yoga blocks. We recommend four. If you don’t have blocks, you can tape together old DVD cases. Six or seven cases taped together is the right size.
Yoga bolster. We recommend one. These can be a little expensive. Good alternatives may include firm and long pillows or cushions, as well as folded, thick quilts or blankets.
Yoga blanket. We recommend at least two. In most studios, these are generally the Mexican-style beach blanket, but any soft blanket will do.
Yoga strap. We recommend one. If you don’t have one, a necktie, belt, or exercise band will work.

FAQs for Strength Training

Is strength training safe for me as a patient?

If you have received the green light from your doctor to do this type of exercise, then yes! Strength training is a great way to make you muscles and bones stronger and to help you manage some of the difficult side effects you may be feeling from treatment. It is important that you progress slowly with your strength training, stay hydrated, and listen to your body.

How much strength training should I do?

This depends on you! The CDC recommends two days of week of full body strength training to keep you muscles mass, strengthen your bones, fight fatigue, and enhance your balance, but you need to listen to you body. Do what feels best for you!

FAQs for Meditation

How can meditation help me?

It has been proven that people who meditate regularly experience less anxiety, depression, tension, and anger. After meditation, people report feeling calmer, centered, grounded, and confident. It is an especially helpful practice for people who have experienced trauma, such as a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

How often and long do I need to meditate?

Establishing a regular meditation practice is a smart idea for everyone; however, how often and long you meditate is up to you. Work towards establishing a meditation practice that look forward to, even if it is just 5 minutes a day. It is better to meditate for a short time every day than a longer time a few days a week. Working up to a meditation that lasts 15 or more minutes is idea but be gentle on yourself and add more time as it feels good to you.

What is the best time of day to meditate?

Many meditation experts suggest meditating right when you wake up or right before sleep because your brain is in the ideal frequency to reap the benefits of meditation at those times. However, the best time to meditate is when it is most convenient for you and your schedule. The “right time” is not the same for everyone so experiment with a few different times to see what is best for you.

FAQs for Nutrition

Why is nutrition so important, especially during cancer?

Nutrition can complement your treatment and help offset the effects of chemotherapy or radiation. Nutrition can help prevent or manage cancer related fatigue, increase energy levels, and elevate mood while supporting neurological health. It also plays a large role in digestive health, which is important for detoxification. In turn, this can support both the comfort of the individual and quality of life during treatment and recovery which can be impacted due to the cancer itself or due to the various treatments. Nourishing the body helps to provide the building blocks to strengthen and repair the body pre and post treatment. In addition, it can help lower the risk of infection while supporting the body’s detoxification system.

What if I don’t feel like eating?

It can be especially difficult if items are not appealing; if recipes are challenging to make; or if your tastes are changing due to the treatment. If you can meals prepared ahead of time, with different flavours and textures then you have a variety of options to choose from that are all easy to access and prepare. It is important to talk to your doctor about your ideal caloric intake and try to consume what appeals to you when you can. Try to sip on broth or one of the smoothie recipes when you can. Also, soups, smoothies, easy to eat muffins that you can pull out of the freezer are great for when you are not up for eating or lacking energy to prepare food. Smoothies provide key ingredients to help manage blood sugar, support the immune system and the detoxification process. They are also high in protein to help the body repair and recover from treatments. Having a variety of smoothie bags (the ingredients in the smoothie minus the protein powder and the milk) prepared in the freezer are a wonderful option. You can enjoy these because they are easy to swallow, nourishing and tasty.

I’m too tired to cook. What are some high nutrition foods I can easily prepare?

Smoothies! I may sound like a broken record, but they are a great way to integrate the nutrition you need and it can be created in 5 minutes with no cooking. You can use the smoothie bags to help make this more simple.
You can add protein powder, hempseeds, flaxseeds, spinach or other greens, frozen cauliflower, avocados or zucchini which all make smoothies creamy and do not add much taste but add to the nutrition density of the smoothie. Berries, bananas, apples, oranges, cherries and/or pineapples can all be added to sweeten the smoothie and make them delicious. With these additions you are consuming a full meal with protein, vegetables, healthy fats and fiber.

If you want something warm, bone broth cannot be emphasized enough. It can be made and frozen into individual mason jars so they can be removed from the freezer, warmed and enjoyed by themselves or with some rice or leftover protein. It can be a great option if nothing seems appealing and you want something simple to digest.
When you make your broth, make it with minimal spices. You can always add more spices to it depending on how you are feeling that day.

Premade soups that are made with a hearty bone or vegetable broth and include a protein sources along with vegetables can be a wonderful quick meal or snack. You can even send some of these recipes to friends or family to make for you so you can have them frozen and ready.

Premade energy balls, muffins and cookies are great snacks when they are loaded with nuts, seeds, eggs and/or nut butter (as tolerated). They contain fat, fiber and protein, which help balance blood sugar so you stay satiated longer. Combine with a fruit and/or coconut or Greek yogurt to stay full and satisfied for hours, while nourishing your body.

Young woman sitting in lotus position and doing yoga at home

FAQs for Energy Medicine

What is Energy Medicine and how can it help me?

Energy Medicine is using the hands to manipulate the body’s energy centers, channels, points and fields in order to bring balance to the system. Since energetic imbalances precede physical issues. Working with energy is addressing the root cause of the problem and ultimately allows the body to shift back into its natural state of healing and resiliency.

How is Energy Medicine different from massage?

Whereas massage is working with the body on a physical level, Energy Medicine is working on the energetic body and its nine systems to restore imbalances that, when left untreated, result in physical and emotional issues.

How much pressure should I apply when I’m doing the techniques?

I will always specify if a technique requires a light, medium or hard pressure because every point is different!

How often should I do the Energy Medicine techniques?

Energy techniques should be done everyday. Your body has formed a pattern around the specific imbalance that you are working to fix. In order to disrupt that pattern and create a new state of health, the energy should be worked with at least 1-2 times a day. Energy Medicine is also an effective preventive tool for avoiding future illness, so creating a daily routine to continue with even after the original issue is resolved is a great idea!

Are there any risk associated with Energy Medicine?

No! There are no dangerous side effects with any of the Energy Medicine techniques.

FAQs for Massage

How often should I massage the areas of my body that are bothering me?

Daily is usually a good frequency. However, always listen to your body. If you feel like daily massage is too much on a particular area, try every two or three days.

How much pressure should I apply when I’m doing a self-massage?

You want enough pressure to relieve tension. Self-massage should feel good and be pain-free.

Is it true I need to drink more water after a massage?

No, it’s not. Of course, keep yourself hydrated and drink if you’re thirsty, but needing to drink more water after massage is a myth.

Are there any risk associated with massage?

Very minimal. With self-massage, it’s possible to use too much pressure and experience soreness or even mild bruising, but if you listen to your body, this is easily avoided. If you feel any pain or discomfort, simply lighten your pressure or move to another area.

FAQs for Art & Creativity

What is art therapy?

Everyone has their own unique way to cope and express thoughts and emotions. Art therapy is a creative way to process feelings.

Do I need special art supplies to do the art classes in the Empowered membership?

No. The classes have been designed use supplies you likely have around your house, such as colored pencils, crayons, and markers. For some of the classes, you may need to get a simple paint set and play-doh or clay.

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