What if I
told you blowing bubbles - those kiddie ones that come with
a wand in a plastic bottle - should be part of your morning
fitness routine? Or that the same exercises designed to help
women recovering from breast cancer will also benefit people
with Parkinson's, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome,
weight control, senior fitness, even pregnant women?
Sherry Lebed
Davis created this innovative program for breast cancer
survivors and now finds she is a national sensation for
general fitness.
Her program
is taught at hospitals, wellness centers and fitness clubs.
Q: Your
program has been featured in just about every major
publication, from People to The New York Times, and on
television talk shows and various health conferences. What's
going on here?
A: These
exercises were developed with my two brothers (Dr. Joel P.
Lebed And Dr. Marc R. Lebed) for my mom 28 years ago because
she had breast cancer and she was depressed. But as the
program progressed, it started to be used for people with
other illnesses.
There are so
many medical studies going on about it - from multiple
sclerosis to hospice care, even pool exercises. Who would
have thought a program started for Mom is now in 14
countries outside the U.S.? I'm pretty proud and amazed, and
so are my brothers.
Q: You have
trainers who teach the program and also a book,
"Thriving After Breast Cancer," and a DVD,
"The Lebed Method, Focus on Healing." The DVD
actually best illustrates your program, I understand,
because it focuses on healing dance and movement therapy?
A: Well, it's
fun and easy and it also increases flexibility, works on
balance, may help reduce lymphedema swelling, helps decrease
frozen shoulder. It just has many benefits.
Q: I like the
DVD because the people in it are obviously in recovery
themselves. You developed lymphedema after you got breast
cancer and are shown wearing a compression sleeve.
A: I got
breast cancer in 1996 and flew more than 300 times before I
developed lymphedema. No one told me to wear that preventive
sleeve before I flew. But that experience led my brothers
and me to design a special program to work with the
lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a major part of
the immune system, and the exercises that open the DVD
should be done by everyone.
Q: The book
is liberally illustrated with what appear to be simple
exercise movements.
A: I was a
professional dancer and choreographer. The exercises are
very slow and smooth with some resistance. They're fun.
Q: Where can
we get information on classes and other materials, such as
the book?
A: Go to my
Web site, www.focusonhealing.net. And if someone cannot
afford the book or DVD, we do have a nonprofit to help them.
Q: And if I
don't want all the goop from blowing bubbles in my house?
A: Blow on a
pinwheel instead.