Be Well

July 29, 2019.Reading time 8 minutes.

I met Mary Baker – CFO & Co-founder of Be Well Yoga for Cancer Recovery- earlier this Spring when I attended Be Well’s yoga teacher training. I felt an immediate connection with the program and the founders. I am honored to be a Be Well graduate and am so grateful to have Mary and Heidi in my life. They are supportive, caring, compassionate, smart, dedicated… I could go on! Here is Mary and Be Well’s story!

Tell us your story. What is your program all about and how did you find yourself involved?

Be Well came to life on a road trip home from a 10 day long training that my friend and now business partner, Heidi Borsch, and I attended together back in 2014. Heidi and I both lost parents to cancer and sought out training to learn how to use yoga and mindfulness practices with the cancer population. One year later, Be Well became an official 501(c)3 nonprofit and has been serving the cancer community for over 6 years. Be Well offers 12 weekly Yoga for Cancer Recovery classes that are specifically tailored to the unique needs of cancer patients. Currently we serve the North County San Diego and Riverside County areas, with a brand new class coming in September to the OC!! (Led by two amazing Be Well Graduates – Jessica Beese Filloon and Jenny Jensen!)

Three years ago, Be Well formed its 55-hour Teacher Training Program to help get more Yoga for Cancer trained teachers into the community. Since inception, we have trained just under 50 individuals ranging from cancer survivors to medical doctors, all with a passion to serve the cancer community.

What populations / areas do you serve?

Our primary population is those who are living with a cancer diagnosis. We deal with all cancers, with breast cancer being our highest percentage of students. We also welcome caregivers, friends and family members to attend class with their survivor. We know firsthand the direct impact both cancer and yoga can have on everyone, and we love to see the positive effect our Be Well program has on everyone who comes to class!

What are the main obstacles that stand between you and your mission, and what ways do you find to overcome them?

The biggest obstacle we face on an on-going basis is funding (which is the case with any nonprofit). Finding creative ways to get money to keep our program running and growing is always at the top of our agenda. Secondly, an obstacle we face is continuing to get word out to the world about our program so our classes and training sessions can grow as well!

Program aside, tell us about yourselves. What makes you, YOU!

Heidi and I joke that we share a brain! We are very much a yin/yang pair in personality, temperament, and appearance – but our differences also make us a perfect match like the two hemispheres of one big brain! We are both passionate about what we do and both agree that teaching our Yoga for Cancer classes are the highlight of each and every week. Heidi is definitely the creative one – she loves painting, making jewelry, and other crafty activities. I am more of an active, fitness junkie and when I’m not teaching yoga you’ll find me out hiking or at the Crossfit gym getting my sweat on!

How has C directly impacted your own life?

For both of us, cancer took away a dear loved one. Heidi was a young mother when her own mom died of ovarian cancer and I lost both of my parents within a 6 month time frame in my early 40’s. This was a life changer for us and we both felt deeply that we needed to give back in some way, to do what we could now and moving forward to help others who are living with cancer and those who are caring for loved ones with the disease.

What are your go-to acts of self care?

There are definitely real side effects of our work with the cancer population. Over the past 6 years, we have lost more than 6 very special students and friends and each one is a challenge. We give ourselves time to feel and to grieve and we also acknowledge that the time we were able to spend with them was time that made a difference in the quality of their life. We also make sure that we do our self-care – meditation, yoga, exercise, time with loved ones – are all part of our daily routine to keep life in balance.

What have you learned about yourself and the C community since starting with your program?

Cancer, whether you have it personally, or you experience it through a loved one, changes everything. It completely alters your outlook on life. Every day is a precious gift. Each breath an unrepeatable moment in time. We both feel that we have been able to really tap into our compassionate, nurturing natures and share our gifts doing something we dearly love.

If you could share any piece of advice for someone who has been diagnosed, what would it be?

DO BE WELL YOGA!!!!!!

Do you have a favorite quote, mantra, phrase, or curse word?

Hmm that’s a tough one! We use quotes and mantras for all of our classes and over these many years I have found SO many good ones!!! I’ll share with you the very first quote I used at my very first yoga class and which I still feel is incredibly important for everyone to remember: “When you own your breath, no one can steal your peace” Teaching our students, especially our cancer students, to breathe well is one of the most important things we do in our classes. They can take that skill everywhere and into every situation. Time and time again they tell us how much learning to breathe properly has positively impacted their lives.

What are the latest happenings with your program right now?

Coming up next – our Fall training! We are still seeking a few more qualified individuals to join us on the journey of becoming a Be Well Certified Yoga for Cancer teacher!! www.bewelltherapy.net/teacher-training

How can we contact your program?

www.bewelltherapy.net @bewelltherapy on Instagram and Be Well Yoga Therapy on Facebook

Save the Women + HulaBelle Resortwear- Dana Dinerman

July 25, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

I met Dana Dinerman a couple of years back at a get together for her HulaBelle post mastectomy swimwear line. She is a young survivor, an entrepreneur, and an inspiration. This is just part of her story.

To learn more about Dana, you can revisit her 2018 October Project Interview here.

What are the main obstacles that stand between you and your mission, and what ways do you find to overcome them?

The main obstacles that stand between me and my mission is my cancer returning. The past few years I have been in a constant battle with the cancer returning after having endured treatments for months on end. I tend to grow tired, side effects can be tough and not to mention I am a mom first, so whatever energy I do have in reserves goes toward caring for my child. I do have a plan for what I would like to achieve when it comes to helping others but my health can be an issue.

What are your go-to acts of self care?

I believe cancer has taught me so much about pacing myself and learning how to say no. If I feel as if I am going to be affected negatively physically by something, I will take a time out. I will make myself sit down and perhaps take a nap or I will reorganize my day better and put the items that can wait to another time. I also believe in pampering oneself, getting massages, taking long baths, napping. It all helps. I never used to feel like it was ok to take care of oneself before I was diagnosed with cancer and now I know it is quite important.

If you could share any piece of advice for someone who has been diagnosed, what would it be?

I always tell people two things, be your own advocate and take it one day at time. We are diagnosed with our minds still in the former lifestyle of needing to solve everything now and needing answers today. I tell people this is a marathon, pace yourself. Also, if something doesn’t feel right, then being your own advocate is crucial. It is ok to question your doctor and do your own research. It is ok to ask for a second opinion, you are not stepping on anyone here, this is your life your wellbeing.

What are the latest happenings with your programs right now?

I am currently working on a publication to help women share their stories and to mix it with fashion. It will be a publication similar to what you might see in our current fashion magazines yet the models will be real women, sharing their stories. They will be dressed in beautiful designs, highlighting designers and photographers as well. The idea came to me awhile ago and I feel it is very much needed in our community. I am not only going to focus on breast cancer, but also other ailments or conditions that may affect a woman in her everyday life.

How can we help?

I am right now needing volunteers to help with a publication to be launched end of summer. It is to help highlight women who have been through a traumatic moment in their lives such as cancer. I have decided to combine fashion and their stories together to create a publication similar to what you might see in the stores, yet the models will be these women. I need designers, hair and make up artists, photographers and anyone who thinks they might be able to help to volunteer their time. I will be sure to include all names of those who have helped in the publication when it is launched. This will either be a one time only project or if it is well received it may go on to a monthly subscription.

How can we contact you?

Instagram: @save_the_women & @hulabelleresortwear

Yoga for Cancer Recovery

July 11, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

I have loved yoga ever since… I stopped hating it.

OK that was dramatic but let’s be real, it’s not super inviting to head into a swanky studio for your first time with all those bendy bitches balancing on their heads… making yourself feel super self-conscious because you can barely touch your knees. At least, that is one of the most {highly paraphrased} reasons people tell me they don’t like yoga.

My yoga beginning was a little different. I started with a class at the Tracy Sports Club. It was me and my step-mom rolling around on the floor in somewhat of a “crack the egg” pose while elderly folks were ripping’ ’em all around us. Then I began to dabble again in high school PE {shout-out to Mrs. Hannigan!} It was cool. Slow but cool. But I just couldn’t focus. I was used to playing sports and slowly moving through poses and focusing on my breath was super rough for me. Then off to SDSU, practicing at the school gym and something clicked. I actually liked sitting with my own thoughts, focusing on my breath, and noticing the mental, emotional, physical benefits of yoga.

Fast forward to January of 2018. I was nearly done with active treatment. I was navigating a new body, a new normal- taking only very gentle yoga classes when I attended my first day of Yoga Teacher Training at Yoga Sol. Immediately I knew that I was right where I needed to be.

Top: Yoga Sol Grads
Bottom: Be Well Grads

The E X A C T same feeling came over me on my first day of Yoga For Cancer Recovery Teacher Training with Be Well. And if you have never fully been able to trust that you were making the right decisions at the right time, let me tell you- it fucking rocks. Not only did that training help me to feel seen and understood but it also lit a serious fire under my ass to start manifesting and working towards bringing Be Well to OC.

Gratitude fills me as I write this- both of these AMAZING programs are coming together beginning this September! My great friend Jenny Jensen, who completed Yoga Sol’s 200 hour and Be Well’s 55 hour training along side me, and I are officially going to be teaching Be Well inspired classes at Yoga Sol!

The Deets:

First class will be Monday, September 9th
Classes will be held each Monday from 4:30-5:30pm
Open to all C survivors no matter where you are in your journey or your yoga experience!
Donation based- We understand that a diagnosis often comes with serious financial burdens. Pay what you can!
Survivors can bring along a caregiver, supporter, cheerleader, partner, or pal!

Classes will integrate mindful yoga, deep relaxation, visualization, breathing techniques, and meditation – all in a compassionate and supportive environment and with your optimal well-being in mind.

We are all so excited to be able to offer this weekly class at the gorgeous Yoga Sol studio in Yorba Linda. If you feel like you or someone you know could benefit from attending, hit me up!