In the past, I would have never considered yoga. The way it was typically portrayed gave me the impression of slim women contorting themselves into difficult poses. However, my perspective has completely changed. I now believe that yoga is truly inclusive and beneficial for everyone. In fact, I’ve incorporated a weekly yoga practice into his life, and it has had a profound impact on my overall well-being. [PODCAST BELOW]
I interviewed Sharon McMullan-Baron, who not only serves as a yoga instructor but is also a cancer survivor I met through Wellspring Alberta and decided to release this as a podcast.
Sharon’s guiding philosophy is simple: “Remember to live simply, speak kindly, care deeply, and love generously.” In this lighthearted episode, Sharon openly shares her inspiring journey, detailing how she discovered yoga, its transformative effects on her life, and how it can empower individuals to take charge of their mental, physical, and spiritual well-being, regardless of their age, gender, or physical condition.
Sharon dispels common misconceptions about yoga, emphasizing that it is accessible to anyone and extends beyond a mere series of physical movements.
The episode provides insights into Wellspring, a non-medical support center for cancer patients that operates as a donor-funded registered charity. Sharon conducts her yoga classes at Wellspring Alberta in Edmonton, where she has introduced her Yoga Thrive program to aid cancer patients and their caregivers during challenging times.
Listeners will also receive guidance on starting their yoga journey as Sharon shares valuable resources, including books, videos, and influential figures in the yoga community for further exploration.
Additionally, the episode includes a hands-on yoga practice that listeners can participate in while tuning in.
About Sharon
Sharon McMullan-Baron has been teaching Yoga since 2009 focussing in the areas of Restorative Yoga and Hatha Yoga. Her certifications include Hatha Yoga, Yoga for the Low Back, Yoga Thrive for Cancer Patients, Healthy Breast, Tru North (a prostate cancer programme) Relax and Renew and more.
A cancer survivor herself, diagnosed in 2006, Sharon was instrumental in bringing, Yoga Thrive for cancer patients to the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton in 2010 and to Wellspring Edmonton when it opened its doors
Sharon strives to keep a balanced approach to every day.
When she’s not on her mat, her survivorship includes a dedication to family and friends, extensive volunteer work, athletic, artistic and creative pursuits which may include wordsmithing poems and stories or playing with fabrics, creating quilts and other textile treasures. You can catch her on the bicycle or XC ski trails, or out with her dog, if you can!
Sharon lives in Edmonton, Alberta Canada and can be reached via email or via LinkedIn.
Resources mentioned:
Wellspring Alberta and Wellspring (National)
Book: Meditations from the Mat – Daily reflections on the Path of Yoga – Rolf
gates and Katrina Kenison.
Companion book : Meditations on Intention and Being – daily reflections
on the path of Yoga, Mindfulness and Compassion by Rolf Gates
Yoga teachers:
Peggy Cappy – PBS programs for USA listeners, videos and books
Susi Hately – Co-creator of Yoga Thrive – the hatha and restorative yoga
program for those touched by cancer. Her website Functional Synergy has
many resources.
Yoga sutras by Patanjali.
This Podcast may also be found at Toastcaster as well as on Apple & Google Podcasts.
Greg Gazin, also known as the Gadget Guy and Gadget Greg, is a syndicated veteran tech columnist, communication, leadership and technology speaker, facilitator, blogger, podcaster and author. Reach him @gadgetgreg or at GadgetGuy.ca.
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