Exercise

Pilates Classes

Pilates is a low-impact, gentle form of exercise which improves core strength, flexibility and control. Pilates exercises help to develop muscular flexibility and strength while encouraging lymphatic, respiratory and circulatory function. This can help to ease you back into movement after treatment or surgery.
Our qualified instructors provide free classes for both men and women to help establish health and wellbeing after a cancer diagnosis, or to maintain this through their cancer journey. In addition to the physical benefits, pilates can help to improve your posture, alleviate your pain, reduce stress and improve your energy levels.

Pilates for Women

Led by an experienced instructor, our adapted pilates programme allows for a relaxed introduction or reintroduction of movements helping to improve strength and range of motion after treatment or surgery.

Pilates for Men

Our six-week programme will offer exercises to aid in the rehabilitation and recovery of men after a cancer diagnosis, and will support men in establishing their health and wellbeing after a cancer diagnosis through a series of mat-based exercises adapted by physiotherapists for patients who are recovering from injury and illness.

 

Watch our online introduction to Pilates and Pilates class here.

Yoga Classes

Yoga is a mind and body practice which uses breathing techniques, gentle exercise and meditation to help calm the mind and strengthen the body. For many people with cancer, yoga is a way to look after the mind and body.

 

Benefits of Yoga

• Manage fatigue
• Reduce stress
• Improve your physical wellbeing
• Improve sleep

 

T’ai Chi During Cancer

T’ai Chi is regarded as one of the most effective exercises for the health of mind and body. It is a low-impact, slow-motion exercise, where participants move through a series of motions, often described as ‘meditation in motion’ – but it might well be called ‘medication in motion’. There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in China as a martial art, has value in treating, or preventing, many health problems.

The movements are usually circular and are never forced. Muscles are relaxed rather than tensed, and joints are never fully extended or bent. These movements are combined with deep breathing, which aids in pumping oxygen more efficiently around the body, leaving participants feeling lighter and free from fatigue. It can help you with relaxation and stress management through gentle movement during cancer. T’ai Chi can help to improve muscular strength, flexibility, fitness, immunity and help with pain relief.

 

“A growing body of carefully conducted research is building a compelling case for T’ai Chi as an adjunct to standard medical treatment.”

Harvard Medical School on the benefits of T’ai Chi, August 20th 2019

Bantry Walking Group

The Cork ARC Cancer Support House Bantry Walking Group is available to anyone who has been affected by cancer. It caters for all abilities and walking paces. The group is led by trained walking leaders and our routes take in the beautiful locations around West Cork. New Walkers are always welcome.

Benefits

There are many benefits of joining a walking group. Walking itself is a perfect form of exercise for every fitness level, and also allows for social interactions while you are exercising. Physically walking can improve heart health, joint mobility, bone and muscle strength. It can also help to maintain a healthy weight and improve fitness
levels.
Walking is great for your mental health, helping to reduce stress and negative thoughts along with improving your self esteem. It will help you to clear your mind and focus on the ‘here and now’.

The Walking Group is also a fantastic social event, where you can enjoy the beautiful vistas of West Cork in the company of others who have also been affected by cancer and share your experiences.

 

Pilates Classes

Pilates is a low-impact, gentle form of exercise which improves core strength, flexibility and control. Pilates exercises help to develop muscular flexibility and strength while encouraging lymphatic, respiratory and circulatory function. This can help to ease you back into movement after treatment or surgery.
Our qualified instructors provide free classes for both men and women to help establish health and wellbeing after a cancer diagnosis, or to maintain this through their cancer journey. In addition to the physical benefits, pilates can help to improve your posture, alleviate your pain, reduce stress and improve your energy levels.

Pilates for Women

Led by an experienced instructor, our adapted pilates programme allows for a relaxed introduction or reintroduction of movements helping to improve strength and range of motion after treatment or surgery.

Pilates for Men

Our six-week programme will offer exercises to aid in the rehabilitation and recovery of men after a cancer diagnosis, and will support men in establishing their health and wellbeing after a cancer diagnosis through a series of mat-based exercises adapted by physiotherapists for patients who are recovering from injury and illness.

Yoga Classes

Yoga is a mind and body practice which uses breathing techniques, gentle exercise and meditation to help calm the mind and strengthen the body. For many people with cancer, yoga is a way to look after the mind and body.

 

Benefits of Yoga

• Manage fatigue
• Reduce stress
• Improve your physical wellbeing
• Improve sleep

 

T’ai Chi During Cancer

T’ai Chi is regarded as one of the most effective exercises for the health of mind and body. It is a low-impact, slow-motion exercise, where participants move through a series of motions, often described as ‘meditation in motion’ – but it might well be called ‘medication in motion’. There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in China as a martial art, has value in treating, or preventing, many health problems.

The movements are usually circular and are never forced. Muscles are relaxed rather than tensed, and joints are never fully extended or bent. These movements are combined with deep breathing, which aids in pumping oxygen more efficiently around the body, leaving participants feeling lighter and free from fatigue. It can help you with relaxation and stress management through gentle movement during cancer. T’ai Chi can help to improve muscular strength, flexibility, fitness, immunity and help with pain relief.

 

“A growing body of carefully conducted research is building a compelling case for T’ai Chi as an adjunct to standard medical treatment.”

Harvard Medical School on the benefits of T’ai Chi, August 20th 2019

Bantry Walking Group

The Cork ARC Cancer Support House Bantry Walking Group is available to anyone who has been affected by cancer. It caters for all abilities and walking paces. The group is led by trained walking leaders and our routes take in the beautiful locations around West Cork. New Walkers are always welcome.

Benefits

There are many benefits of joining a walking group. Walking itself is a perfect form of exercise for every fitness level, and also allows for social interactions while you are exercising. Physically walking can improve heart health, joint mobility, bone and muscle strength. It can also help to maintain a healthy weight and improve fitness
levels.
Walking is great for your mental health, helping to reduce stress and negative thoughts along with improving your self esteem. It will help you to clear your mind and focus on the ‘here and now’.

The Walking Group is also a fantastic social event, where you can enjoy the beautiful vistas of West Cork in the company of others who have also been affected by cancer and share your experiences.