Mary Beth Chandler wants to get the word out about a new post-operative workout program for breast cancer survivors. The Jewish Community Center trainer Chandler said she'd often meet women who were going to the gym following breast cancer surgeries.

"And a lot of these women are never told what to do," she said.

 Chandler decided to get certified to train them through The Pink Ribbon Program. The three-day certification course teaches instructors how to stretch and strengthen the shoulder, chest, back and abdominal muscles of breast cancer survivors while also improving their range of motion to the areas affected by breast cancer surgery.

"A lot of it can cause core instability, depending on what sort of reconstruction they have," Chandler said. "So, it helps to address these things and get them moving. It's basically two times a week for six weeks."

 The program has another benefit for participants.

"It's also nice because you're in there with other survivors. When you do any exercise, it makes you feel better and they can make other contacts and boost their self-esteem," Chandler said.

Most of the Pink Ribbon exercise s are Pilates-based movements. The program is geared toward patients who recently underwent breast cancer surgery, but Chandler has advised survivors who had their surgeries five years earlier and are still unsure what strengthening exercises they should do.

 Many of the survivors who participate in the classes will be at different fitness levels, Chandler said. Private lessons are available for those who want them.

In the coming weeks, Chandler hopes to hear from breast cancer survivors interested in taking the 45-minute classes. The JCC is in the process of putting together a schedule and hopes to keep classes at 10 people.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Pink Ribbon classes should call the Simon Family JCC at 321-2322