The yoga instructor for the "K warriors"

Drawing from her own journey battling cancer, Dai Thi Thanh Huyen, a young woman in her 20s, opened a free yoga class for cancer patients. These virtual yoga sessions not only help many patients improve their health but also instill confidence in them to persevere through the most difficult times.

From the shock of cancer to the journey of self-healing.

In the early days of summer, Dai Thi Thanh Huyen's small room is lit up very early. A computer sits in front of her, a few yoga mats are neatly laid out, and on the other side of the screen are dozens of cancer patients from many provinces and cities waiting to begin their free yoga session.

The young woman's gentle voice rang out: "Everyone, take a deep breath, relax your shoulders…". The atmosphere of the class was so peaceful that it was hard to believe that the instructor was once a cancer patient, who had at times been confused, frightened, and felt as though she couldn't get back on her feet after a life-changing event.

At a very young age, Huyen received the devastating news that she had cancer. It was a moment that left her stunned, as if she had fallen into a dark abyss with no way out.

Huyen recalled that during that time, she went through long days filled with confusion. Questions like, "Why me?", "How much longer do I have to live?" constantly popped into her head. But then, amidst the overwhelming negative emotions, she told herself that she had no other choice but to keep going.

"After receiving the cancer diagnosis, I was very confused and scared. But at that time, I thought that besides moving forward, I had no other choice. The support and companionship from my family, relatives, and friends helped me overcome that difficult period," Huyen shared.

Free yoga classes for cancer patients are taught online.

Before her diagnosis, she had been practicing yoga for many years. The gentle exercises helped her feel more flexible and relaxed after the stresses of life. Therefore, throughout her treatment, yoga continued to be a special source of support for the young woman.

After exhausting chemotherapy sessions, with days when her body was almost completely depleted, Huyen still tried to do the simplest exercises. Not to force herself to be stronger, but to keep her spirit from being overwhelmed by the fear of the disease.

"I chose yoga as a complementary therapy to my hospital treatment to improve both my physical and mental health. Thanks to my consistent practice, my body recovered faster, and my time in the hospital went more smoothly. I stopped thinking negatively," she said.

In the hospital rooms, accustomed to the smell of disinfectant and the silence, Huyen began teaching simple yoga poses to her fellow patients. Some practiced out of curiosity, others just wanted to try it to relieve body aches. But after each short session, many patients felt better, slept better, and felt more relaxed.

It was from those simple moments that the idea of ​​a free yoga class for cancer patients began to take shape.

Huyen understands that not everyone has the means to attend professional gyms. Many patients from distant provinces have to stay in accommodations near hospitals for treatment, and their lives are already difficult due to medical expenses. Therefore, she decided to open free online classes via Zoom so that anyone can participate.

Initially, the class only had a few people. One person introduced another, and gradually the number of students increased. Some were undergoing chemotherapy, some had just had surgery, and some were in the recovery phase after illness.

What makes this class special isn't the difficult movements or advanced techniques, but the empathy shared among people who have experienced pain.

The teachers, along with Ms. Huyen, maintain the yoga class.

There, no one has to hide their surgical scars. No one is bothered by their hair not yet growing back after chemotherapy. They understand each other's feelings without needing to say too much.

Spreading hope through free classes

Every evening, when the class begins, Huyen's computer screen displays many faces from all over: Hanoi , Ninh Binh, Nghe An, Da Nang, Can Tho… Some practice on hospital beds, others set up makeshift mats in their cramped rented rooms near the hospital.

Despite their geographical distance, they meet at one common point: they both share a desire to live more positively each day.

Ms. Ho Thi Van Anh ( from Hung Yen province ), currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer and adhering to her doctor's prescribed medication regimen, also has regular check-ups every three months. She said she learned about the yoga class completely by chance through Facebook and registered to participate with the hope of improving her health and well-being.

Ms. Huyen and her students during a class session.

According to Ms. Van Anh, what's special about the class is that all the students share similar circumstances, making it easy to share, empathize with, and encourage each other during their treatment. Thanks to her consistent yoga practice, her health has gradually improved, her spirits are higher, she feels happier, and she enjoys restful sleep after a long period of fatigue.

For Ms. Van Anh, the class is not only a place for physical training but also brings warmth and love from the teachers and fellow students who share similar circumstances. "Let's all try our best and support each other to overcome all the difficulties in life, from material and mental pressures to the journey of treating illness," she shared.

For Huyen, the greatest joy is seeing her students get healthier every day. Some who used to suffer from chronic insomnia now sleep soundly. Some who were previously always self-conscious and insecure have now dared to open up and talk more after treatment.

"Every time I hear students say they feel better physically and mentally after a workout, it motivates me to continue this class," she confided.

Huyen has often had to confront her own exhaustion. After her treatment, her health hasn't fully recovered. There are days when her body aches and her spirits are low, but she still tries to show up on time in front of her computer screen.

Because she understood that on the other side, there were many patients also waiting for those training sessions as a source of emotional support.

Thanh Huyền's journey isn't about someone doing something extraordinary. It's simply about how someone who once walked through darkness chose to bring light to others who are just like her.

That free yoga class not only helps patients improve their health, but it also becomes a place of sharing, where these "cancer warriors" find empathy and learn to love their bodies once again.

Amidst the pressures of life, the quiet kindness of this young woman in her 20s makes people realize that sometimes, what helps people overcome illness is not just medicine, but also faith and companionship.

And for Thanh Huyen, each lesson continues as a way of giving back to life after months of being loved and supported. "Sometimes I think I've received more than I've given," she smiled.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/co-giao-yoga-cua-nhung-chien-binh-k-238260525111601327.htm