Page 3 - Ochsner Magazine

The Scoop

Limber Up!

Yoga is a tried-and-true way

to tone the body and calm

the mind

healing yoga for cancer patients
Alternatives for Moms-to-Be

/ Every hursday, cancer patients meet on
Expectant parents can now explore a range of childbirth options at the Perkin Alternative
the ifth loor of Ochsner’s Gayle and Tom
Birthing Center (ABC), which opened at Ochsner Baptist in January. Stafed by certiied
Benson Cancer Center to do sun salutations, nurse-midwives, the Perkin ABC ofers new mothers individualized, natural birthing plans in

downward-facing dogs and other asanas, as a soothing environment. The Center’s two rooms include a living area for guests to enjoy, as

yoga postures are called. But perhaps more well as a yoga swing, a simple piece of equipment designed to support the body in various
important, patients are there to bond with
yoga positions.
one another through healing exercises.
Philanthropist Nicolas Perkin generously spearheaded the efort to establish the center,

“Yoga can be very centering,” explains which is the irst and only in-hospital alternative birthing center in the area. “It’s rewarding to

oncology social worker Melissa Smith, who help people bring babies into the world,” says Perkin, who wanted to express his gratitude for

coordinates the program. “Cancer treatments the excellent care his wife, Natalie, received from Ochsner OB/GYN Elizabeth Lapeyre, M.D.
are physically and mentally demanding, and
“When we learned that the irst baby was recently born at the Center, we could not have been
yoga helps rejuvenate both body and mind. more excited and gratiied!”

Patients tell me that it helps them sleep better,

experience less pain and feel more focused.”
Did You Know?

/ he free yoga classes for cancer patients

take place hursdays from 4–5:30 p.m.

and 6–7:30 p.m. For more information, call

(504) 842-3910 or email Melissa Smith at ➜ Yoga has been practiced worldwide for more than 5,000 years.
melsmith@ochsner.org.
➜ Some 20.4 million Americans practice yoga. hat’s nearly

9 percent of the country’s adult population.
/ Free yoga classes are also ofered to North
➜ Women outnumber men four to one among U.S. yoga practitioners.
Shore patients in Covington every other

Monday at 11 a.m. For more information,
call (504) 669-6885.
flexible fitness at elmwood

/ Ochsner’s Elmwood Fitness Center—a family-friendly health club with multiple

locations—ofers yoga classes for all ages, body types and skill levels. Learn more at

www.ochsner.org/yoga.

2014 | issue 1 3