Cancer Recovery: Part 3 Recovery & Remission

About This Class

Part three of Hilaire Lockwood's "A Yogic Journey" cancer series, this 56-minute session is primarily a heartfelt guided talk rather than a movement class. Drawing on her own experience of metastatic thyroid cancer, multiple surgeries, and healing, Hilaire walks students through the emotional and psychological terrain of recovery and remission — including mourning the old self, processing trauma, and awakening to a transformed identity. She introduces practical tools: daily journaling (including writing letters to the old and new self), consistent seated meditation (starting with just five minutes), and intentional breathwork as anchors for mental and spiritual healing. Yogic philosophy is woven throughout, with Hilaire referencing the eight limbs of Raja Yoga (Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi) as a framework for re-entering life post-illness. Brief mentions of physical yoga re-entry — including one-armed down dog, Urdhva Mukha Svanasana at the wall, and Niralamba Sirsasana — illustrate her own cautious return to practice. Students are encouraged to revisit earlier parts of the series (especially the beginner practices) before moving into asana, and to seek cancer center resources, myofascial release, and acupuncture to support physical recovery. The session closes with a group Om and Namaste, emphasizing community, presence, and compassion.