In December 2011, while on Christmas vacation in Toronto, I woke up to a day that would turn out to be one of the coldest days of my life. While showering, I discovered a lump in my right breast and I intuitively knew that it was cancer. Three weeks later, after returning home to the United States, an oncologist officially diagnosed me with Stage 3 breast cancer. It had already spread to 33 of my lymph nodes. This meant that I was about to embark upon a journey of healing that would transform me from the innermost core of my being. And, just as I intuitively knew cancer was the diagnosis, I also knew that I would need support that was deeply restorative to my mind, body, emotions and my soul. I found and continue to find that support while training with Professor Jamal Pender in the Living Art of Budokon, which gifted me with six pillars to focus on as I re-created my life!
Movement/Fitness: The first day I walked into Professor Jamal’s gym I was still in chemotherapy treatment, so I was completely bald and weighed about 100 pounds! However, because Budokon yoga focuses on slow, seamless transitions that are easily adaptable, he created a flow that was perfectly suited to my abilities at that time and as my abilities have increased, so has my movement and fitness level.
Relationships: At this pillar, I am honing skills that enable me to more effectively communicate my needs and boundaries. For a cancer survivor, and I dare say, everyone, being able to speak to yourself and others in a way that expands relationships will help you get through anything life brings to you.
Thoughts: The chemotherapy drugs as well as the litany of drugs that I was given to survive the effects of chemo, had a negative effect on my brain function, including cognition, critical thinking and the ability to remember even the simplest of things. Thankfully, Budokon training is grounded in remembering patterns also known as yogic and martial katas that trained my brain to move my body in ways that animals move. Working my brain and body this way has brought me light years ahead in my healing.
Emotions: Due to the focus Budokon places on the necessity of the practitioner to understand and work with their emotions, I now take a proactive approach to re-creating the story I tell myself about the cancer diagnosis and my physical abilities. This has had a positive impact on my daily emotional state and how I see my future.
Environment: For me, this pillar has been about re-creating and maintaining my personal spaces; specifically my home, vehicle and workspace in a way that always and simply, “feels orderly, peaceful and good.” I’ve found ways to make practical shifts in my life in order to reduce and eliminate extra bills, waste and anything else that I cannot easily sustain.
Nutrition: This is one of my most challenging areas within the Budokon curriculum! Every day I learn the power of food as medicine or poison, and each month I take baby steps toward understanding which foods will heal and strengthen my body.
