Survivors Training, Wendy Rahn

Wendy Rahn, a University of Minnesota Associate Professor of Political Science and resident of the St Anthony Park neighborhood opened a fitness studio for women cancer survivors Feb. 7, 2008, in White Bear Lake.

While the 1,500-square-foot studio does not have large machines for lifting, it focuses instead on exercises such as yoga, pilates and Nia - movement to music to stimulate the body and mind. The Survivors' Studio is based on research which has been available since 2005, concluding exercise's ability to increase women's survival chances after treatment by up to 50 percent, Rahn said.

Rahn said she thinks it's the first program of its kind. Each member of the studio has battled cancer, but their experiences are all different, including diverse treatments in women ranging from a newly diagnosed patient to a 17-year survivor. Because of their shared experiences, the members are less apprehensive about stigmas associated with their treatments. Relationships form quickly at the studio because members support one another and can talk about subjects they may not feel comfortable discussing with others.

Park Midway Bank provided Park Perks donations during the month of October for Survivor's Training to offset costs associated with the release of an exercise dvd.

For more information, Call (651) 748-4760 or go to http://studio.survivorstraining.org