A new pilates studio in Port Coquitlam is shaping up to offer post-mastectomy patients free classes throughout the month of October.
V Pilates owner Mona Valdes, who was an emergency-room doctor in Indonesia and the Philippines before moving to Coquitlam two years ago, is hoping to help women regain mobility after surgery through the classes, which she's calling Pink Ribbon Plus.
"The exercise is so gentle for mastectomy patients, you can spend the whole time lying down," she said of the specialized classes, which will be offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout October. "I really want this program to reach as many people as possible."
Valdes said many women who have had a partial or double mastectomy experience tight chest muscles and skin after their surgery. Lymphedema, or swelling, is also a common complaint that Valdes said can be helped through the low-impact nature of pilates.
Valdes' adoptive mother suffered from breast cancer and had a partial mastecomy; she passed away in 1984.
"After her operation she was lying down, nothing was done and her arms were swollen because of lymphedema," Valdes recalled. "At that time movement was not a big thing so after the operation she was at rest most of the time. It was very debilitating, it made it worse for her.
"Now people are generally told to start moving right away, with their physician's clearance, to maintain strength and to regain basic movement, to stretch their shoulders."
Valdes' post-mastectomy classes are limited to four women at a time because she'll be using the Reformer and Tower trainers - but she urges women not to be intimidated by the machines.
"The exercises are really based on what is needed for post-mastectomy individuals," she said. "It's a lot of stretching, a lot of body awareness. The body is trying to adapt to a new position and it usually brings pain or misalignment, so what we're trying to do here is bring in the body awareness and trying to take control again of your body through the movement."
Pink Ribbon Plus classes run Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 12:30 p.m. at V Pilates Studio (#201-1380 Dominion Ave., PoCo). To reserve a spot, call 604-652-1566. Visit www.vpilatesstudio.com for more information.
