Yoga helping cancer survivors rebuild strength in the Big Apple

New York, June 2 (ANI): A nonprofit organization has been linking cancer survivors with free yoga classes to help them rebuild their strength and healthy lifestyle in New York.

Yoga Bear has been assisting survivors land free memberships to local yoga studios post-treatment in a bid to help them reclaim their energies.

The nationwide program has seen the involvement of more than 140 yoga studios, including 21 in the Big Apple.

Cancer survivor Stephanie Adams, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 27, revealed how the traditional Indian discipline proved a blessing after two surgeries and endless chemotherapy treatments drained her of her previously high energy levels.

" I can't go out and do pushups, I can't go out and run and work out my upper body like I used to. [But] yoga allows me to slowly work my strength back up to where my body used to be," the New York Daily News quoted Adams as saying.

Tara Stiles, yoga instructor and Strala Yoga owner, said: "It's an easy way to give back. It's not hard to give up one spot in a class to make sure someone who has gone through so much regains their strength and wellness."

Adam, who finished chemotherapy in March and has won her battle against the disease, added: "Yoga has gotten me out of cancer land. Just having something to come to - and it not being about cancer but it's about building yourself and getting well - is really nice." (ANI)