How Claire Petretti Marti, of Ocean Soul Yoga, Found Empowerment Through Breast Cancer

5 QUESTIONS FOR CLAIRE

1. What’s the biggest lesson you learned from beating cancer?

I learned how to accept love and support. I’ve always been independent, always taken care of myself, and always prided myself on keeping it together.

Well, I got to the point where I couldn’t keep it together, where I couldn’t take care of myself, and something profound happened. When I let go of control, a huge groundswell of support, love, and generosity enveloped me. Not just my wonderful boyfriend, not just my family and close circle of friends. No, acquaintances, strangers, blog followers, you name it. People’s incredible kindness and caring humbled me. Letting go of control gave me the biggest gift: learning to truly receive.

2. How does a regular yoga and meditation practice help women navigating through breast cancer?

Yoga and meditation have incredible benefits for the body, mind, and spirit. I credit teaching and practicing yoga as vital components in my journey back to radiant health. I’m passionate about sharing these practices to empower women to learn how to take an active part in their own health and recovery. The specialized yoga for cancer recovery classes I offer are designed to both create strength and flexibility and encourage relaxation.

3. What is Ocean Soul Yoga and Yoga for Cancer Recovery?

Ocean Soul Yoga is my website and where you can find more information about me, the benefits of yoga for cancer recovery and learn about my Yoga for Cancer Recovery DVD and cancer memoir, Come Ride with Me Along the Big C. My intention is to help others on this journey.

A few specific ways yoga helps you cope with cancer:

• Learning to handle side effects of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation on your body, mind, and spirit.
• Boosting energy, improving mood, learning relaxation and breathing techniques to combat fatigue, stress, and pain.
• Restoring flexibility, strength, and range of motion, and enhancing lymphatic flow, digestion, and circulation.

4. What are you doing at the KAB retreat?

I’m thrilled to be leading daily yoga and meditation sessions. I’ll also be around in whatever capacity you’ll let me!

5. What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I’m descended from pirates. Scottish on my mother’s side and Corsican on my father’s. If anyone tries to storm the beach in Mexico, I’ve got us covered.

Sign up for our survivor retreat this October at Playa Viva eco-resort in Mexico and do yoga with Claire!

Claire Petretti Marti is a yoga teacher and writer based in Encinitas, California.  She is a 7-½ year breast cancer survivor and she credits practicing and teaching yoga for her return to radiant health. She loves to share yoga in public classes, with private clients, on international yoga retreats, and online.