Category: Breast Cancer

A favorite exercise of many Pilates teachers and students is the “Gentry stretch” on the reformer.  This particular movement stretches the hip flexors and looks like a modified lunge as one leg bends and the other leg moves the reformer carriage.  Named after first generation teacher Eve Gentry, her influence goes beyond the Gentry stretch.  She also developed a “pre-Pilates” technique that is used today.

While Gentry’s name and technique might be recognized, her own remarkable story as a breast cancer survivor is not as well known.  Eve had a radical mastectomy in 1955.  This type of procedure was more common back then but not performed as much today.

Through her work with Joseph Pilates, Eve made a complete recovery.  Within a year, she returned to her dance career and continued to dance for years to come. Eve eventually retired to Santa Fe where she opened a studio.  She taught dance and brought the Pilates method to the region.  Eve also developed her own approach or “pre-Pilates” technique that she kept distinguished from classical Pilates.

Many teachers and students benefit from Eve’s work today.  Whether it’s the Gentry stretch or pre-Pilates technique, her influence is still felt.  As a first generation teacher, Eve helped to impart Joe’s method and she helped the work spread by bringing it to the West.

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Eve Gentry’s remarkable story is highlighted.  Eve’s full recovery through her work with Joseph Pilates is an inspiration. Eve’s exercises and her story live on offering hope for women today.

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), special attention will be given to this important topic all month.  Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women.  BCAM is the international yearly campaign that aims to educate the public, support those impacted by the disease and raise funds to further research.

Fortunately, advances are being made.  Recent research found that chemotherapy does not benefit the majority of women with early breast cancer.*  Protocals for treatment are being adapted accordingly.

Exercise is recommended for breast cancer survivors by the American Cancer Society.**  Of course, depending on the type of treatment, guidelines may vary as to the kind of movements that may be permitted and when to begin those movements after a procedure.  In addition, every woman is unique and may heal at a different pace, so following the doctor’s prescription is paramount.

Exercises that restore shoulder and arm movements are particularly important not just after surgery but also after radiation.  For those treated with radiation, exercise is even beneficial during treatment and can help with the side effects, including fatigue.***   Long after radiation is completed, continuing to exercise and maintaining upper body mobility will be essential.

When it comes to exercise, there is sometimes a concern that with increased circulation cancer could spread more quickly.  The research so far has shown the opposite is true.  A study published in The Journal of Applied Physiology found that aerobic exercise could lead to “‘normalization’ of the tissue microenvironment in human breast tumors.  Such findings may have important implications for inhibiting tumor metastasis…”****  These results are exciting and empowering to realize that exercise could potentially help physiologically in preventing cancer growth.

Pilates has valuable benefits for those recovering from breast cancer.  There are, of course, many shoulder and arm exercises.  With the focus on awareness and breathing, rib cage mobility is expanded which in turn supports the shoulders and arms.  The props, such as the foam roller, balls and arcs, can be used to help stretch the chest and spine.  Resistance from therabands or springs on the equipment can be added as appropriate.

Before physical therapy was readily available or exercises recommended after surgery, a student of Joseph Pilates had a single mastectomy.  This young woman made a remarkable recovery through her Pilates practice.  Her inspirational story will be shared next time as Pilates goes pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

*https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/press-releases/2018/tailorx-breast-cancer-chemotherapy 

**https://www.breastcancer.org/tips/exercise/safe

***https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/cancerwise/2014/07/four-tips-for-exercising-during-cancer-treatment.html  

**** https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19959769