His background includes a 10-year residence in an Ashram yoga community in Florida. Recently he attended a workshop in which the importance of relaxation to facilitate healing was emphasized.
“One of the statistics that stuck with me was that 75 per cent of the suffering that someone with cancer undergoes is mind related – it’s worry, it’s anxiety, it’s depression. When we suffer from chronic stress we just react, react, react. Those things can’t be alleviated with cancer treatment.
“But they can help be remedied by some of these mindfulness practises. They are tools that help us learn to relax and bring us into the present moment without real concerns of the future or the past,” he said.
The mindfulness sessions take place at noon on the fourth floor of the old section in the Yarmouth hospital and are sponsored by the Wellness Centre. Typically there are six to eight participants.
Paquette starts by instructing people to sit up straight and to close their eyes, bringing their attention into their body.
“Start down by the soles of our feet. Let our body relax into the chair, feel the earth beneath you,” he said.
“Just imagine that there is tension stored up in the body and that tension is melting down through the soles of your feet into the earth,” he continues.
One of the statistics that stuck with me was that 75 per cent of the suffering that someone with cancer undergoes is mind related – it’s worry, it’s anxiety, it’s depression. When we suffer from chronic stress we just react, react, react. Those things can’t be alleviated with cancer treatment. But they can help be remedied by some of these mindfulness practises. They are tools that help us learn to relax and bring us into the present moment without real concerns of the future or the past. - Stephen Paquette is a coordinator with Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Addiction Services with South West Health.
The relaxation exercises proceed for close to 45 minutes as Paquette’s gentle voice directs participants to focus on various parts of the body and to concentrate on their breathing.
He refers to this practice as “reconnecting with the body.” At the conclusion of the session, everyone stretches and appear much more tranquil.
Mary Lou Goreham was in a car accident that resulted in back injuries. She lives with chronic pain almost 24 hours a day, seven days a week. She described her state after the session in one word.
“Relaxed.” She added that she tries to focus on healing “on the inside” during the gathering.
Lorraine Charchuk, now in remission from breast cancer, says she feels revitalized, calmer and better able to deal with things after participating.
The women said they do practise the exercises at home but find it easier with the guidance of Paquette.
Most participants have either had heart, stroke, cancer or other pain-associated problems, or are caregivers to those who have experienced these conditions.
Paquette also volunteers his time to teach Beloved Yoga sessions at the Milo boathouse on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
For more information on mindfulness sessions, contact 902-742-2406.
