Taking Cancer to the Mat
/Breast cancer survivor Jessica Gray grieves, heals, and gives back through yoga
By Sarah Vammen
Practicing yoga gives Jessica Gray peace, healing, and balance. It also gave her the strength she needed to contend with two cancer journeys—her mother’s and her own.
photo by shane darby.
In 2010, Jessica was one year into her career as an independent hairstylist when her mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Her flexible occupation allowed her to shift her schedule and take care of her mother as she underwent treatment for the aggressive disease.
“My mother was one of the few pancreatic cancer patients who lived more than one year,” Jessica said. She died in 2016.
rocky, everleigh, luke, and jessica gray. submitted photo.
While grappling with the tragic loss of her mother, Jessica turned to yoga and began practicing at Texarkana Yoga. She spent several years at the studio building community, grieving, and healing. “The place became so much more than a place to exercise for me,” she said. “It gave me a quiet space to connect with God.”
In October 2020, while Jessica was pursuing her yoga teacher training certification, the studio was put up for sale. Jessica bought it and became the new owner of Texarkana Yoga.
“I felt led to buy the studio so I could have a platform to love on people, give everyone a space to feel seen and heard, and give them a space to process and heal,” she said. “It’s my ministry.”
For the next three years, Jessica ran the studio, taught classes, worked as a hairstylist, and raised her two children, Luke and Everleigh. All the while, she feared a cancer diagnosis of her own. “My mom mentioned genetic testing before, but I told her no—that ignorance is bliss,” Jessica said. “And it is, until it’s not.”
In 2023, Jessica’s fears were realized.
“I found the lump by accident,” she said. She was holding a water cup against her chest. “The cup rolled over the knot as I was adjusting the cup to bend to grab some laundry.”
“Cancer changes everything. I like to think I have slowed down, even when life’s pace quickens.”
Jessica was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, a common type of breast cancer. Upon receiving her diagnosis, Jessica changed her mind about genetic testing. She learned she was positive for the BRCA 2 gene mutation, which increased her risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, melanoma, and pancreatic cancer.
“I ultimately chose to do [genetic testing] so I could be aware for my children’s future,” she said. Having this knowledge helped her develop a treatment plan, as well as a plan to manage her health and risk of developing further cancers.
Jessica underwent a double mastectomy. In addition, she was prescribed chemotherapy and radiation. However, she felt led to pursue other options.
“I believe no two cancer journeys look the same, and each person should find the right path for them—whether they take a holistic, integrative, or conventional approach to treatment,” she said. Jessica ultimately chose a completely holistic treatment protocol. “I was put in touch with Jill Rowe, a local breast cancer survivor and thriver. She pointed me in the direction of her holistic doctor,” she said. Jessica worked with Lindsay Kirkwood to find a regime of natural supplements that would target Jessica’s specific form of cancer.
Through her faith and family, Jessica was able to cope with the fear and anxiety that accompanied her diagnosis, treatment, surgeries, and recovery. “My husband was and is my biggest supporter, and my children went above and beyond, taking on many new responsibilities this year,” she said.
Yoga also pulled Jessica through some of the hardest parts of her cancer treatment.
photos by shane darby.
“I was advised not to practice yoga for six weeks after my mastectomy, which is basically an amputation, but my surgeon knew I wouldn’t be able to wait,” she said. “He told me he knew yogis have a great sense of body awareness and to listen to my body.” Within three weeks, Jessica began moving her body again—taking it slow and doing what she felt she could. “At four weeks post-surgery, I did a very slow, modified sun salutation. At six weeks, I went back to teaching yoga. I know without a doubt that yoga is the reason I bounced back so quickly.”
Today, Jessica’s cancer is in remission. She works hard daily to heal, process her experience, stay healthy, and find joy. “I try to be as healthy as I can and do all the things—daily supplements, a special diet catered to my body, grounding, cold plunges, therapy, and of course yoga. My doctors and I also keep a close watch on my hormones and tumor markers,” she said.
Jessica became the owner of Texarkana Yoga in October 2020. photo by shane darby.
With her treatment behind her, Jessica is focusing her time on helping others live well with cancer. “I am working on a special yoga class for breast cancer thrivers and survivors that will focus on opening up the chest muscles to prepare for surgery and recovery, while also coping with the stress of it all,” she said. Her first class will be held on Sunday, October 13th at 5 p.m., free of charge.
Though Jessica remains busy as a wife, mother, hairstylist, yoga instructor, and business owner, her breast cancer journey shifted her perspective on life. “Cancer changes everything,” she said. “I like to think I have slowed down, even when life’s pace quickens.”