What exactly is “Pink Ribbon Yoga”?
Pink Ribbon Yoga is a group of women breast cancer survivors who are striving for optimal health. Within yoga, we find support, camaraderie, healing, joy, and peace. We come in all shapes and sizes, and all ages. Some are more newly diagnosed and others have been thriving for decades. Some of us are very active in yoga, and others are beginners. Many are local to North Carolina, but we’ve had women join us from other states as well. Everyone is welcome!
Though Pink Ribbon Yoga raises all the funds each year through donations to help keep costs affordable for participants, we are also affiliated with and administratively supported by the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program, or DCPSP. You do not have to be a Duke cancer patient to attend Pink Ribbon Yoga events.
It was wonderful to experience the unfolding of each person present, like pedals on the Spring flowers...as we gradually revealed parts of our health journey with each other. It was very supportive to connect with others who are on a similar path.
A message from Jean A. Costa, the founder of Pink Ribbon Yoga:
My name is Jean Costa (email: info@pinkribbonyoga.org). I finished breast cancer treatment at Duke in 1999. Because of the kindness and support I received during my treatment from the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program, I joined their Advisory Board in 2000. I have practiced yoga for over 25 years and became a certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor in 2006.
Yoga is one of the many disciplines I use to center myself. It helps me practice staying in the moment and it has helped me stay in touch with my body while making me feel strong, physically and emotionally. With this in mind I felt it would be the perfect vehicle for other breast cancer survivors. In 2005, along with several dedicated volunteers, we created our first beach yoga retreat for breast cancer survivors. It was in April, 2005 and 21 survivors attended. Since then, we’ve had over 100 survivors attend.
We hope you can attend one of our events. Please call us at (919) 684-4497 or e-mail us at info@pinkribbonyoga.org or cancersupport@duke.edu with any questions.