Yoga Therapy Hour with Amy Wheeler Yoga Therapy for Lymphoedema with Debbie Lamond
Episode snapshot
Debbie Lamond (near London, UK) is a yoga teacher and yoga therapist specializing in support for people living with lymphoedema. After decades of personal practice and training with the British Wheel of Yoga, she blends breathwork, Yoga Nidra, gentle movement, self-care for the lymphatic system, and realistic habit tracking. This conversation feels like tea with a wise friend—practical, hopeful, and grounded in ahiṃsā, svādhyāya, and the steady courage of śraddhā.
What we cover
- Debbie’s path: yoga since 1994, why it offered something team sports and fitness didn’t—time, calm, and coming home to self.
- Lymphoedema support, plain language: why movement, hydration, skin care, and compression are foundations—and how yoga fits in.
- Breath changes the body: how diaphragmatic breathing helps down-shift sympathetic overdrive and, anecdotally, can ease night-time swelling enough to return to sleep.
- Yoga tools that help: slow rhythmic movement, Yoga Nidra for nervous-system recovery, present-moment awareness to interrupt “what-if” spirals.
- Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD): “open the drains,” then move—pair with water intake and gentle activity.
- Ayurvedic lifestyle touches: cooling choices when heat aggravates symptoms, morning light, toxin reduction, and a simple habit tracker.
- Agency and dignity: building a daily routine you’ll actually keep—this isn’t a quick-fix pill.
Practical takeaways (save/print)
- Three-minute reset: recline, elevate legs, one hand on belly; inhale gently through the nose, exhale a little longer; ~15–20 breaths. Notice if sensation and anxiety both dial down.
- Daily rhythm idea:
- Brief self-MLD (as taught by a qualified therapist).
- 10–20 minutes of gentle yoga or a short walk.
- Hydrate and quick skin-check.
- Yoga Nidra or guided rest later in the day if swelling or fatigue rises.
- Get support: work with a qualified lymphoedema therapist for compression, self-care education, and monitoring.
How yoga philosophy frames this work
- Ahiṃsā (non-harm): move/rest in ways that protect tissue and reduce irritation.
- Svādhyāya (self-study): track patterns—sleep, flares, foods, stressors—without judgment.
- Īśvara-praṇidhāna (surrender): accept today’s reality while practicing skillful effort.
- Together, these form a sustainable sādhana for long-term conditions.
Resources mentioned
- British Wheel of Yoga (for teacher standards and CPD)
- Lymphoedema Support Network (UK)
- Manual Lymph Drainage (find a qualified therapist)
- Yoga Nidra recordings for regulation and rest
Who this episode is for
People living with primary or secondary lymphoedema; those post-treatment or post-surgery; clinicians curious about integrating breath and gentle movement; yoga therapists seeking condition-specific insights.
About our guest
Debbie Lamond is a UK-based yoga teacher and yoga therapist focusing on lymphoedema support. She offers one-to-one sessions (including online), small therapeutic groups through a local cancer charity, and a complimentary 30-minute consultation to explore fit.
Connect with Debbie
Website: DebbieLamondYoga.co.uk
Initial consultation: 30 minutes, no charge (book via her website)
Disclaimer: This episode and show notes are for educational purposes only and are not medical advice. If you have new or worsening symptoms, seek qualified medical care promptly.
Plans of Study for NDMU Yoga Therapy
School of Integrative Health at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health
Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy
Explore NDMU’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices: Designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices
Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification
#IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool