At on route, we strive to focus on the whole selves, and run events around managing your health and wellbeing. We believe that combining therapy, yoga and body therapies, can provide effective care and awareness of our bodies.

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we worked with yoga instructor Tzaddi, to raise awareness of breast cancer and how we can prevent this, restore ourselves or recover from it. Tzaddi specialises in restorative practices helping clients reach optimal health.

1 in 8 women will be affected by breast cancer, so it’s important that we understand how to look after ourselves either to prevent the disease, or to look after our bodies if affected by it.

Throughout the afternoon, attendees enjoyed a restorative yoga session led by Tzaddi, a nutrition talk from local nutritionist Emily Fawell and a relaxing hand massage from Siobhan O’Connor.

Attendees were able to learn about how to protect our bodies and how to look after them through exercise, nutrition and therapy.

Here are 4 takeaways

1. Therapy. If you are worried about breast cancer, or have been diagnosed, it is important to talk about it. Worry can create stress and anxiety, and diagnosis can be a traumatic process. Asking people for help and support can make you feel less alone.
2. Information and education. At On Route we believe being able to make well informed choices is a key part of self support. People have different approaches including medical and non-medical. Seek out good quality information so that you can maintain a sense of empowerment and choice throughout your health journey.
3. Exercise. Maintaining an appropriate level of activity can reduce fatigue, improve quality of sleep and boost physical vitality and overall quality of life. These are all key factors when your body is “health vulnerable”.
4. Diet changes. Diet is important when it comes to looking after ourselves. Avoiding foods that are high in trans fats and added sugar, and having a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables is important when looking after your body.
5. Do what’s best for you. Everyone is different, and every body is different and it’s important that you do what’s right for you. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for another, so it’s important to create a plan that benefits what you need. You may have different opinions from different people – professionals, family, friends – and it’s hard sometimes to know what choices to make. We hope you find the best resolutions for these questions.

A huge thank you to our practitioners Tzaddi, Emily and Siobhan, and thanks to all those who attended.

The event was in support of Breast Cancer Haven, a charity offering vital one-to-one emotional, physical and practical support to anyone affected by breast cancer.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for future upcoming events.