After battling breast cancer, Hope Knosher knew she needed to find a way to cope with her experience and the mental toll the disease causes. She found the solution in yoga and says the experience transformed her in ways she could not have imagined.
“I was drained, emotionally and physically,” said Knosher, who was diagnosed in 2009. “Starting and committing to yoga was transformational. It balanced me and helped me find that peace I felt I had lost through my battle with cancer.”
Just like it had for her, the Johns Creek resident realized that yoga could help other cancer survivors and patients. Knosher started taking classes, got certified to teach yoga and is making a difference for breast cancer patients.
“I realized that yoga could help other cancer survivors and patients like it had helped me,” she said. She started Hope’s Yoga and now teaches classes at her home studio, Whole Foods and offers free classes through the American Cancer Society. The classes are open to cancer patients and survivors.
Candace Knobloch, a cancer survivor and a fitness enthusiast, found the same benefits with yoga to help her cope with cancer recovery.
“I like staying fit, but chemotherapy is draining,” she said. “Taking the classes under that physical strain helped because they were aligned to what my body was going through at that moment. I really came to appreciate Hope and what she is doing because she understands what cancer patients are going through.”
Although no studies prove that yoga cures or prevents cancer, it can help to reduce anxiety, depression, fatigue and stress for some patients.
“We appreciate that Hope is supporting the American Cancer Society with donations of free yoga classes and more,” said Patsy Garrett, senior development manager, distinguished events with the American Cancer Society. “She is using her own experience with breast cancer to help other cancer survivors and patients cope and gain strength through yoga.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOPE’S YOGA, GO TO WWW.HOPESYOGA.COM
To volunteer with the American Cancer Society, go to www.cancer.org
