Pilates for Breast Cancer: How Can It Help?

A Personal Note from Jade

Every October, the world turns pink in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But for me, it’s more than a ribbon.

In October 2022, I found a lump in my left breast. I went to the hospital for a mammogram, expecting reassurance - but left with biopsies, ultrasounds, and the awful weight of what if?

In November, I was officially diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. That month changed my life. But looking back now, it feels strangely poetic that it began in October - the very month meant to remind us to check, to speak up, to take action.

And now? I’m a survivor. And I’m here to share how Pilates helped me not just recover, but rise.

💗 Why Movement Matters After Diagnosis

Breast cancer doesn’t just affect the breast. It can impact your strength, mobility, posture, mood, and confidence - all while leaving invisible scars no one can see.

Treatment side effects often include:

• Fatigue and joint pain

• Limited range of motion (especially in shoulders)

• Weight changes and muscle loss

• Changes in bone density, sleep, and cognitive function

• Lymphoedema, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm

In short: it’s brutal. And yet, movement can play a major role in healing.

🧘‍♀️ How Pilates Can Help

Pilates is uniquely suited to support recovery because it’s:

• Breath-led

• Low-impact

• Whole-body focused

• Adaptable to every stage of healing

It meets you where you are - whether you’re fresh out of treatment or years into remission.

Some of the most powerful benefits for survivors include:

• 🌬️ Restoring breath and nervous system regulation

• 💪 Rebuilding strength and range of motion

• 🧘 Easing pain, tension, and swelling through gentle mobility

• 🧠 Reducing anxiety and reconnecting you to your body

• 💃 Improving posture and balance post-surgery or reconstruction

• 🌸 Boosting body confidence and emotional wellbeing

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And it’s not just about rehab - Pilates also plays a role in prevention and long-term health. Regular movement reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence and supports your heart, bones, and mind.

💥 Did You Know?

• Exercise can reduce breast cancer risk by up to 30%

• Post-treatment exercise can improve survival rates by up to 40%

• Just 3 hours a week of moderate movement can help manage side effects, lift mood, and lower inflammation

• Pilates helps combat cancer-related fatigue, improve cognitive function, and enhance the effects of treatment

If exercise came in pill form, it would be the most prescribed medication in the world. But we don’t need a pill. We need support, structure, and a safe space to move.

That’s what we built Rise to be.

🤍 What You Can Expect at Rise

Whether you're just starting your recovery or looking for a new way to move forward, Rise is here for you. We offer:

• A calm, inclusive environment with no pressure to “bounce back”

• Expert instructors who meet you with empathy and education

• Adaptable classes focused on alignment, breath, and mobility

• Movement at your pace, on your terms

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We understand the fear, the fatigue, and the frustration. But we also know the power of small wins - like lifting your arm overhead again, sleeping better, or finally feeling like your body is yours again.

💬 Final Thoughts

Recovery isn’t linear. Healing isn’t neat. But you don’t have to do it alone.

Pilates helped me reconnect with my body after cancer tried to break it down. It gave me back control, strength, and joy - one breath, one session, one gentle movement at a time.

If you're navigating life after breast cancer, know this:You are not alone.You are not broken.And you are stronger than you think.

This October, we’re celebrating every survivor, every fighter, and every woman who’s ever felt disconnected from her body. Pilates is here to help you come home to yourself - and Rise is here to walk that path with you.

Would you like to:

• Talk to an instructor about a tailored class or private support?

• Join a gentle group class that works for you?

• Just chat with someone who gets it?

We're here. Always.