Cancer Exercise & Yoga Instructor - Personal Trainer
RECOVER your stride. RESTORE your strength. RECLAIM your health.
ABOUT:
Hi. My name is Karen Schick and I’ve been working as a Cancer Exercise Specialist, Personal Trainer and Yoga teacher since 2016. Prior to that I was a health care representative selling pharmaceutical and nutritional products to doctor's offices, hospitals and nursing homes.
As a healthcare representative I noticed a common pattern. Doctors routinely suggested an increase of physical activity to their patients which, as an active person, seemed reasonable, but the look of angst on people's faces told a completely different story. Fast forward a few years and I too developed that look of angst as I recovered from a broken ankle, breast cancer, accompanying surgeries and treatment. Any pleasure previously derived from exercise was overshadowed by fear, doubt, confusion and frustration as I tried to figure out:
- Are there specific exercises I should avoid?
- Am I moving my arm the right way?
- Will I get lymphedema?
- How often should I exercise?
- What exercises will help me or hurt me?
- What can I do to prevent future injuries?
Luckily I had a Yoga Teacher and Personal Trainer who helped motivate me when I needed a gentle nudge and reined me in when I was pushing too hard. And now, as a Cancer Exercise Specialist, Personal Trainer and Yoga Instructor this is exactly what I hope to do for you!
SERVICES AND OFFERINGS:
FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH TRAINING
Functional movement and exercises is designed to help clients move more efficiently and freely throughout the day. Specific attention is given to muscle imbalances, balance & coordination and movement patterns.
Sessions generally include resistance training, balance and coordination exercises and range of motion stretches that align with your unique needs and goals. Clients generally feel more invigorated at the end of a strength training session.
GENTLE YOGA
You'll learn how to incorporate breath with gentle movements that can help relieve stress, tension, rigidity. Soon you'll discover that you feel more relaxed, focused, calm, balanced and at ease in your mind, your body and your spirit. Yoga is more about living simply in both your body and your mind than having flexible hamstrings and available to all.
PERSONALIZED EXERCISE PLANS
If you prefer or need to exercise on your own I develop a personalized exercise program tailored specifically to your goals, exercise equipment and schedule. We'll reconvene every 4-6 weeks via zoom or in person to asses your progress and modify exercises accordingly.
Should you have any questions or concerns along the way I'm always available to help.
WELLNESS WALKS
Community is important when you're managing an illness. Engaging with others who can relate to your situation can be so beneficial in not feeling so alone. I offer WEDNESDAY WELLNESS WALKS (donation based) at local parks in the Rockland County area. For more information and to be included in upcoming events please contact me and I'll add your name to my email database.
EXERCISE & CANCER
Exercise is a standard of care during the treatment, recovery and survivorship of cancer but what you do and how you do it matters!!
The following must be considered:
WHERE ARE YOU IN YOUR DIAGNOSIS: recently diagnosed, in treatment, early recovery or cancer free
TREATMENT SIDE EFFECTS: fatigue, nausea, neuropathy, dizziness, musculoskeletal pain, depression, weight loss
RISK OF CO-MORBIDITIES: lymphedema, osteoporosis
infection, weight gain
LIMITATIONS RELATED TO TREATMENT: diminished range of motion, muscular imbalances, decreased strength
EXERCISE GUIDELINES:
exercise frequency, intensity, and duration regressions and progressions, exercises to avoid or modify
As a Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist, Yoga Instructor and breast cancer survivor I will help you throughout the various phases of your cancer journey.
COMMUNITY ONCOLOGY YOGA CLASSES
Donation based yoga classes offered at local yoga studios, libraries, gyms, etc.
“WHAT IS ONCOLOGY YOGA"
A 60-minute class for anyone interested in learning about oncology yoga (exercise guidelines & recommendations, physical & emotional benefits. important considerations including do's and don'ts, lymphedema & lymphatic drainage exercises). Includes 20 minutes of gentle chair yoga.
“ONCOLOGY YOGA - in treatment & early recovery”
A 4 week series of classes, 30-45 minutes in length for students who are in active treatment or early recovery
“ONCOLOGY YOGA - survivorship & beyond”
A 4 week series of classes, 60 minutes in length for students who are in the recovery or survivorship stage
