Cancer alters Washougal yoga teacher’s course

Washougal resident Angie Cherry can still remember the call.

She was on her way to teach a class at her Washougal Body Bliss Yoga Studio in October. The call came just days after undergoing an ultrasound-guided biopsy to investigate a lump on her throat. There was a chance it was just benign; the results came back positive for thyroid cancer.

“I felt a little bit like I was in shock,” Cherry, 42, said. “I didn’t have a lot of emotion, but I was on my way to work, so I was driving. And when I pulled in I kind of sat there for a minute to try to let it all absorb, and realized there was no way that I could go to work. I started shaking and crying.”

On Wednesday, Cherry is closing her Vancouver Body Bliss Yoga Studio at 800 Franklin St. She is also transferring the ownership of her Washougal studio over to Jacquie Michelle, a teacher at the studio, beginning in January. She’s currently helping Michelle learn about day-to-day operations.

Cherry said she made the decision to switch things up in the spring even before her diagnosis. She said it was difficult trying to juggle both studios after opening the Vancouver location last year, and she wants to focus more on yoga teacher training and health coaching. Those interested can find out more at her website, www.angiecherry.com.

Cherry had surgery for thyroid cancer this month and is cancer-free, but she was also diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid. She’s researching the best ways to treat Hashimoto’s, and she is excited to shift her professional focus.

“I’ve put so much energy into the studios, I’m kind of curious if I put that much energy into my own business how successful I could be,” Cherry said.

Cherry will continue to teach classes at the Washougal location, and she said she’s happy to continue that connection.

“I feel really fortunate that someone is taking over the studio that will allow me to still be part of the community,” she said.

Cherry commended her husband, Drew, 42, and sons Dylen, 19, Ethan, 15, and Parker, 11, for their support during trying times. While it hasn’t been easy, Cherry said she’s staying positive about the path forward.

“I just figured, I’ve never learned anything through things being easy,” Cherry said. “I’ve always had to struggle or go through something to get to that next phase of my life, and so maybe that’s what this is about.”