Looking for a way to de-stress? A “Meditation Workshop for All” is being offered at Ellwood Thompson’s on August 13th by a local organization of “Ovarian Cancer warriors” called Cancer Dancer.
Looking for a way to de-stress? A “Meditation Workshop for All” is being offered at Ellwood Thompson’s on August 13th by a local organization of “Ovarian Cancer warriors” called Cancer Dancer. The start time will be 7:30 pm, and the event will feature one hour of pointers on meditation guided by a supporter of Cancer Dancer.
Cancer Dancer is “Richmond’s only ovarian cancer awareness and support organization,” as Esther Windmueller, the founder and a board member of the group puts it. Beginning in 2010, the group has “distributed information in person and over the internet to thousands and thousands of people about the symptoms and risk factors of ovarian cancer,” says Windmueller.
The group began originally as a way to lift the spirits of cancer patients through their website.
“We were going to get people to put videos up of themselves of their dancing, because we thought it was a wonderful affirmation of life, it would create a nice memory, it would be interesting, it would bring people to the site then they would get information about the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of ovarian cancer.” Windmueller shared.
Although the group doesn’t get as many videos of people dancing like they used to, the name stuck. The website has somewhat switched focus, but they definitely still encourage people to send in these life affirming videos of themselves dancing.
The meditation workshop is far from all the group does in the area. “Every once in a while we have get-‘teal’gethers, teal is the color for ovarian cancer. Some of those are just strictly social, where we meet and have a happy hour. Last one we had, we had doctors come and talk to us about how to get the most out of your doctor’s appointments… we have had Christmas get-togethers, we have volleyball tournaments. Our signature event has been every September for the past two years; we have turned the Governor’s mansion teal. We invite everybody to come out, we usually meet at a local restaurant, have some libations, and then walk down to the governor’s mansion in the evening,” says Windmueller.
Stress can be difficult to cope with in everyday life, especially for cancer patients and people going through having a loved one with cancer. “We all know that stress is not healthful, right? Or at least there are moments where it can be, like when a lion is attacking you, having high adrenaline… there are a few times in life when having those chemicals in your body going up is a good thing, but for the most part it’s not. At this workshop, Monica explains this, about why meditation is helpful because of those negative things that happen in your body when you’re stressed out.”
The workshop at Ellwood Thompson’s is to “give people helpful strategies to help them have successful meditation.” Anybody at all can join in on the workshop; there will be pointers given that will be specifically helpful to cancer patients and caregivers as well as friends and family members who go through the detriment of having the disease or being close with someone who does.
