A YOGA teacher has been offering free classes this month to all those affected by breast cancer.

Emma Vasquez, 25, of Carlisle, is hoping that all those who feel they might benefit from her offer will come along for her final free October class tomorrow.

Taking place between 7.00 and 8.00 in the evening, Emma has held free classes for those affected by breast cancer at her studio in Carlisle’s Treasury Court throughout October, to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

She hoped to encourage all those affected by breast cancer - and not just those directly affected by the diagnosis - to come along.

“The classes are for women who have been going through treatment, women who have had treatment 20 years ago, husbands or sons of women who have experienced breast cancer - or men who have been diagnosed as well.

“Sometimes these aren’t people directly affected by the diagnosis - it’s the husbands, the daughters, sons, friends and so on.”

For Emma, the extent to which cancer can impact on an entire family was laid bare this year.

“I lost my grandma this year to cancer,” she said.

Emma went on to say that the community-building effects of yoga classes, as well as the stress-relieving benefits, meant the practice was well suited to providing some support to those affected by cancer - even years after treatment is complete.

“People should be supported, for years after it happens.

“I’ve talked to people who experienced cancer 15 years ago but still want that supportive connection.

“For people who haven’t been diagnosed but are close to someone with cancer, they might not feel like they deserve support. But they do.

It affects more than just the person who has been diagnosed.”

Emma also said that free classes could be of particular benefit to those affected by cancer, given that it mean a long time out of work for someone facing extensive treatment.

Emma added: “When people are going through treatment sometimes they can’t work, so I hoped offering a class for free might help them experience the benefit that yoga brings at a time when they might not otherwise have been able to do so.

Having practised yoga since 2012, Emma is passionate about the practice and the philosophy underpinning it.

Specialising in the discipline known as Ashtanga yoga, Emma has maintained a six day a week practice since 2013.