A MUM who has survived breast cancer has vowed to help others on their road to recovery.
Monique Qureshi discovered that yoga not only helped her to heal but has given her a new lease of life.
The mum-of-two was asked to train as a yoga teacher after completing her first retreat and now wants to share her personal journey, skills and expertise with others.
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The 55-year-old is launching a series of free support and movement classes for anyone who has had cancer or is still receiving treatment.
Sessions will be held at Satya Sanctuary, a wellbeing studio opened recently by Charlotte Montgomery on King Street in Knutsford, where Monique works as an instructor.
The first one starts on Sunday, October 27 and will continue on the last Sunday of each month from 3.30pm to 4.30pm.
Monique, from Wilmslow, said: “Discovering you have cancer is a big shock to the system.
“You do what you need to do and battle away.
“Then, when it’s all over, you’re left floundering a little bit.
“You’ve got a body that doesn’t quite feel like yours anymore and you don’t know what to do.”
Monique, who is married and has two children aged 21 and 23, was diagnosed with cancer nine years ago.
“Somebody suggested going to a yoga class and it was the very best thing I ever did,” she said.
“I was scared at first and felt like I didn’t belong.
“I’m not blonde, slim or young.
“When you walk into a class, that is what you expect but it is not what you see.
“It takes a little bit of courage, but once you realise your mat is your space and nobody else in the room matters, you sink into it and surrender to the yoga.
“That’s when it starts to heal.”
Anyone can do yoga, she says, and her class will be very gentle, tailor made to suit each individual.
Comfy props are available to support anyone unable to lie on their tummy or sides.
It doesn’t matter if you can’t sit or stand for very long. “We start so small, really little movements,” said Monique.
“We increase it little by little, moving one millimetre more.
“You’ve got to be safe and feel secure.”
The sessions are for all abilities and no previous Yoga experience is necessary.
“I wanted to bring people together who had the same experience and help them on that healing journey,” said Monique.
“There will be a lot of guided meditation. I find words help to inspire people.
“Listening to me talk about a walk on the beach or clouds passing by, you will be half way between inner sleep and being awake.
“Just relaxing, letting your shoulders drop, you will find yourself again after all that you’ve been through.”
Monique says Yoga has transformed her whole outlook.
“Having cancer, you feel like the future has been taken away from you,” she said.
“You’re living with that at the back of your mind all the time.
“You feel so depleted and broken, but yoga has given me a whole new purpose in life.
“Now, I wouldn’t be without it.
“It has brought strength back to my body.
“Before, I could hardly walk the dogs anymore.
“Now, each day I feel stronger and I can face the future.
“I still go to classes myself as well as teaching.”
The sessions will also give people the chance to meet others going through the same experience.
“It could become a support network,” said Monique.
“It’s important to surround yourself with people that know what you’ve been through.
“People will be at different stages of their cancer journey and can encourage each other.”
Classes are free.
To reserve a place visit satyasanctuary.co.uk, click on book a class and scroll down to October 27.
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