Middletown Spagnoli Family Cancer Center Offers Free Yoga for Cancer Patients

Spagnoli Family Cancer Center at Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown began offering free yoga for people undergoing cancer treatment on Jan. 16 and will continue monthly sessions through December. The program is open to patients currently receiving chemotherapy or radiation, as well as anyone within six months of completing treatment, and registration is available to non‑Garnet Health patients.

The classes meet the second Tuesday and second Thursday of each month. Tuesday sessions run 10:30–11:15 a.m.; Thursday sessions run 6:00–6:45 p.m. Classes are held at 707 East Main Street in the Outpatient Building, 3rd Floor, 3B South Conference Room. Elisa Piscitelli, E-RYT, is the registered instructor. Mats and equipment are provided, and participants will be contacted before their first session for medical clearance and to sign a waiver. Class size is limited to 10 to maintain safe distancing for immunocompromised participants. To register, visit garnethealth.org/events and search “yoga.”

Yoga is increasingly used as a supportive therapy for people living with cancer. Sessions like these aim to reduce stress, anxiety and fatigue while supporting physical and emotional well-being during active treatment and the early recovery period. For local patients and caregivers in Orange County, the program provides a low‑cost option for integrative care at a community hospital campus, potentially easing mental health burdens that often accompany cancer care.

The Spagnoli center’s decision to welcome non‑Garnet Health patients expands access across the county, addressing a common equity barrier when supportive services are tied only to hospital patients. Offering both a midmorning and an early evening class helps accommodate varying schedules, including people who are working or who rely on family caregivers for transportation. Providing mats and limiting class size also responds to safety needs for immunocompromised participants, a consideration that has grown since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Still, practical barriers remain for some residents. Transportation, caregiving responsibilities and work schedules can limit the ability of lower-income patients to attend even free programs. Expanding community partnerships, offering occasional weekend sessions, or coordinating rides with local nonprofits could increase reach and impact, policy moves local health systems and county leaders may consider as they plan supportive cancer services.

For now, the offering represents an immediate, tangible resource for Middletown patients coping with the physical and emotional toll of treatment. Residents interested in participating or learning more should register at garnethealth.org/events (search “yoga”) or contact the Spagnoli Family Cancer Center through Garnet Health for medical clearance and scheduling details. This program is a step toward more holistic, accessible cancer care in Orange County, with potential to inform broader efforts to integrate mental health and rehabilitative supports into standard oncology services.