Healing Through Ancient Wisdom: A Cancer Survivor’s Journey to Healing through Yoga
“Doctor Said I’d Never Have Kids After Chemo. Yoga Proved Them Wrong”
On World Cancer Day (February 4), we sat down with Maxine Levy to reflect on her remarkable journey of healing through yoga therapy. Maxine’s story stands as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of integrative approaches to cancer recovery. From battling stage four lymphoma to becoming a certified yoga therapist at Kaivalyadhama, her journey illuminates how ancient yoga traditions can work hand-in-hand with modern medicine
“It was a complete shock,” Maxine recalls of her diagnosis. “One moment I was cycling around London, living a full life in my mid-30s, and the next, I was flat on my back with a stage four high grade Hodgkin’s lymphoma.” The transition from an independent professional to a cancer patient was jarring. “Your world becomes very small. Every ounce of bandwidth focuses on your next appointment, your next medication.”
She emphasizes that every person’s journey through cancer and therapeutic yoga is uniquely their own – there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to yoga for cancer recovery.
What Drew Maxine to Yoga Therapy during her Recovery Journey?
When asked about her introduction to yoga therapy, Maxine shared that during her recovery, she found herself drawn to yoga and pranayama, though initially for simple, practical reasons. “I couldn’t go to the gym or work. Yoga became something to do.” What began as a way to fill empty days transformed into a sanctuary of yoga wellness.
“It became my safe space where I didn’t have to think about being a ‘cancer patient.’ You don’t need to know anything; you just show up and breathe.”
The practice offered something unique – a yoga healing community without the burden of conversation. “It’s alone time without being lonely,” she explains. “Nobody’s asking you questions. You don’t have to explain yourself. You can just be.” This space for “being” proved crucial in her recovery journey, providing a counterbalance to the clinical aspects of cancer treatment.
Defying Medical Predictions: Maxine’s Pregnancy Journey
When asked about her pregnancy story, which defied medical predictions, Maxine shared, “After chemotherapy, doctors said I would never have children. But through therapeutic yoga and Ayurvedic practices, guided by my teacher Tiwariji (a student of Swami Kuvalayananda and the current Chairman of Kaivalyadhama), my body began healing in ways that surprised everyone. My daughter is now 22. It taught me that healing has many dimensions beyond what we can measure.”
Integrating Ancient Wisdom with Modern Medicine
On the integration of scientific yoga therapy and conventional approaches, Maxine is clear: “Western medicine saved my life – no question. But yoga provided the tools for deep healing. While medicine works from the outside in, yoga and pranayama work from the inside out. Together, they create a powerful approach to recovery and wellbeing.”
Now a yoga therapist herself at a yoga studio in London, Maxine works with cancer patients and others seeking healing through yoga. “Whether it’s someone with cancer, diabetes, or an advanced yoga student, the principles of yoga therapy remain the same. It’s about connecting with your body’s wisdom and building trust in yourself step by step.”
A Message of Hope and Healing
Her message to those beginning their healing journey with yoga is both practical and profound: “Don’t worry about knowing everything. Just start with basic pranayama and asanas. Get into action. Yoga therapy offers a beautiful segue into feeling better and choosing life. While you absolutely need medical guidance, yoga helps you become your own guide in the healing process.”
As we conclude our conversation, Maxine’s humility shines through as she emphasizes that nothing she shares is of her own creation. “All of this wisdom, these therapeutic yoga practices, and understanding come from my teachers and the ancient yoga traditions they represent,” she says. Her final perspective, gained from decades of both personal practice and teaching yoga therapy, resonates with timeless wisdom: “There is always something you can do until your last breath. The real magic lies not in dramatic transformations but in the simple, consistent practice of showing up for yourself, breath by breath, day by day.”
Join the Journey of Healing
Maxine’s journey is a testament to the power of programs like SOHAM: Immersive Healing Program, which are designed to help individuals reconnect with their inner wisdom and embark on their own healing journeys. These programs, rooted in ancient yogic traditions, offer a structured path to holistic wellbeing, blending yoga therapy, pranayama, and Ayurvedic practices.
If Maxine’s story resonates with you, consider exploring this program. The next session begins on 2nd March 2025, offering a transformative experience for those seeking to heal and thrive. Learn more and register at SOHAM: Immersive Healing Program
~ Interviewed by Ritika S