Puyssentut - A unique retreat for people with cancer

Today’s post is by Kirsten Chick a nutritional therapist, consultant and lecturer with over 10 years' experience. She currently works at the Vision of Hope Clinic (www.visionofhopeclinic.com), where many cancer patients seek a holistic approach, including nutritional advice, ozone therapy, vitamin C therapy and more. Here she introduces Puyssentut, a unique retreat for people with cancer to pursue recovery in the South of France.

My passion for nutrition began when I was diagnosed with cancer over 15 years ago. This was the beginning of a journey that would lead me to re-evaluate my approach to life, healing and self-nurturing. My aim is not only to share the important discoveries I've made, but to help people to find their own way, learn their own lessons and rediscover the joy and wholeness in their own lives.

Puyssentut is a very special place run by a wonderful couple with a clear and heart-led intention: “to provide a source of well-being and inspiration for people with cancer.” These are not “detox retreats” or “cancer cures”. This is something much more profound and earthy. What people with a cancer diagnosis often need most is a calming space where they can relax, be nourished and reconnect with themselves. Puyssentut provides just that.

Mike 'The Bike' cycles West Africa - Part 1

Today’s post is our first from Mike ‘the Bike’ McLellan, cycling enthusiast and long-time supporter of Yes to Life who is cycling from Italy to West Africa to embark on the adventure of a lifetime and raise lots of money to help us support people with cancer along the way.

Italy, France and Spain have been full of chance meetings and unexpected adventures, an experience of having to relinquish ideas and adapt to reality, of 'going with the flow' and allowing things to unfold. As I reach the end of the first leg of my journey, I look back at what has already been an incredible trip; the kind people I've met, the ever changing landscape, the foreign tongues, the not knowing where I will be sleeping at night but it somehow always working out!

What will you leave behind when you go?

Today's post is about the difference you can make to others through Yes to Life, by setting up a legacy.

It’s a question that many people consider at some time in their life, one that drives many to want to have a positive impact on society in one way or other, to value their friends and family, to pass on their lifetime’s wisdom through writing or some other medium, or a host of other initiatives. Many of

us have a sense of ourselves as part of a continuum that others, particularly our own children, will continue to inhabit after we are gone.

One of the greatest storehouses of potential accumulated by people takes the form of their lifetime’s savings, often, but not always in the form of their home. At the end of life, the necessity of a home or savings may disappear or be only needed in part by others. This creates an opening for doing something amazing with your ‘nest egg’ of life capital.

In order for ‘something amazing’ to be one of the possibilities your life results in for others, a little time needs to be given to considering this now, whilst you have the time and energy to devote to it.

'Your mouth is a window to your health' - Holistic Dentistry and Better Health

Today’s post is from Dr Zac Cox BDS, holistic dentist and firm believer in the body’s incredible healing capabilities. He discusses the link between dental health and disease as well as offering advice on how to achieve and maintain a healthy set of teeth and gums.

Your mouth is a window to your body’s health! In order to get back your health you’d be best advised to:

1. Add to your diet all the nutrition that it’s missing.

2. Remove your amalgams and other toxic metals but make sure it’s done safely by a holistic dentist, not your regular dentist.

3. Remove all dead teeth and all root filled teeth. Again, make sure it is done by a holistic dentist.

4. Treat jaw infections (cavitations) and treat gum disease.

Sounds drastic? Maybe, but holistic dentists and doctors are reporting that even the most life threatening dis-eases such as cancer, diabetes and heart dis-ease are positively impacted when when these simple steps are taken.

Our Yoga Workshop – A Sense of Calm

Today’s post is about our recent yoga workshop hosted by the lovely Barbara Gallani and with delicious refreshments from Gloria Halim of Rock on Divas.

On a rainy afternoon, a small group of people with cancer gathered at The Life Centre, Islington to learn more about how yoga can support the body and mind through illness.

We were welcomed with a green juice, freshly prepared by Gloria. A tangy blend of spinach, celery, cucumber, mint and green tea awakened our senses as Gloria kicked off proceedings by telling us of her own experiences. A few years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer and embarked on a journey which led her to take charge of her own health. She re-educated and re-balanced herself and is now about to celebrate five years of living cancer free.

Take the Scare out of Losing your Hair

Today's post is by Sabine Brannan and Audrey Ball, two women who make it their business to support women through hair loss. They are joining forces to offer an exclusive workshop with Yes to Life, to help 'Take the Scare out of Losing your Hair'. The workshop is being held on Thursday October 16th at 2.30pm in Islington, London. For more information and to book tickets please click here.

As a woman the idea of losing your hair is incredibly difficult to come to terms with, yet this is the experience of around 8 million women in the UK today. Hair loss is a well-known side effect of chemotherapy, and during this especially tough time it can be even harder to find the self-confidence needed to face the world. You need not feel alone, we are here to share our experience and expertise to help you develop your own style and feel comfortable in your self, however you choose to manage and cope with your hair loss.

Breast Cancer Seminar Review 2014: The Importance of Exercise

Today's post discusses the importance of exercise to cancer patients at any stage of recovery, drawing on talks given by Ted Poulter, physical activity adviser to Macmillan, and Barbara Gallani, yoga specialist, at our recent July 2014 seminar ' Breast Cancer - The Power of Choice'. If you are interested in putting some of these ideas into practice, Barbara is running a specialised yoga workshop with us on Monday 13th October, for more information and a link to buy tickets please see our events page here.

As more and more studies are showing, exercise is an entirely natural and harm-free way to effectively support cancer treatment and recovery. At our major annual seminar we were fortunate to hear from two experts, Ted Poulter and Barbara Gallani, who offered practical advice on how to go about improving health with physical activity.

Ted is a senior adviser for Macmillan and having been through cancer treatment himself, offered a very personal understanding and overview of the importance of physical activity for recovery. Ted began by admitting it was a lot easier to preach than to practice but by the end of his talk it was clear that this was an effort worth making. Studies by the ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) shows that exercise has no adverse effects and can improve health in many areas including aerobic capacity, muscular strength, reducing fatigue, slowing disease progression and contributing to protection from recurrence. Benefits have been studied in breast, colorectal, prostate and haematological cancer (which account for 50% of cancers in the UK) and particularly in breast cancer.