CPF-September Focus Type of Cancer: Uterine, Leukemia, Ovarian, Prostate, and Thyroid Cancer Theme: Grounding & Gratitude Focus: Stability, Calm, and Reflection Cyndi Ellsom demonstrates a chair modified forward fold Per the Mayo Clinic, Ovarian cancer is a growth of cells that forms in the ovaries. The cells multiply quickly and can invade and destroy healthy body tissue. Ovarian cancer treatment typically involves surgery and chemotherapy. To support survivors, caregivers,

CPF-September Focus Type of Cancer: Uterine, Leukemia, Ovarian, Prostate, and Thyroid Cancer Theme: Grounding & Gratitude Focus: Stability, Calm, and Reflection The Mayo Clinic says that Leukemia usually involves the white blood cells with the bone marrow producing an excessive amount of abnormal white blood cells which don’t function properly. Over time, these abnormal cells can crowd out healthy blood cells in the bone marrow, leading to fever healthy white blood cells, red

Sensory grounding is a mindfulness technique designed to disrupt the cycle of anxiety, panic, or dissociation. When you get overwhelmed, your brain is treating past memories or future worries as immediate dangers. By intentionally focusing on your physical surroundings through your sight, touch, sound, smell, and taste, you send a biological signal to your nervous system that you are safe in the current moment. Think of it as a physical reset button for a crashing computer. I

CPF- September Focus Type of Cancer: Uterine, Leukemia, Ovarian, Prostate, and Thyroid Cancer Theme: Grounding & Gratitude Focus: Stability, Calm, and Reflection Per the Mayo Clinic, Uterine Cancer is most thought of as endometrial cancer which lines the uterus. A much rarer form of uterine cancer is uterine sarcoma which develops in the lining of the muscle wall. The most common treatment for endometrial cancer is surgery to remove the uterus, a hysterectomy. The surgery is

Dr. Mona Janfaza is a board-certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained breast surgical oncologist. She specializes in a variety of breast conditions including surgical intervention for breast cancer and benign breast disease. Dr. Janfaza is a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the Society of Surgical Oncology. Her passion is ensuring every breast cancer patient becomes a survivor of this disease. Dr. Janfaza’s philosophy of care is to provide compassi

Jaymeson Stroud, MD is a Board-Certified Radiation Oncologist at Ackerman Cancer Center. Dr. Stroud received his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI. He then completed a residency in Radiation Oncology at Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University in Saint Louis, MO, during which he was appointed Chief Resident. Following his residency, Dr. Stroud remained in Missouri where he practiced for 13 years and has now recently reloca

August’s Theme is Core & Confidence Focus on Stability, Self-Confidence, and Strength Goddess Pose Our core is incredibly important; it matters for strength, stability, efficient movement, and injury prevention. It is a grouping of muscles in our trunk, pelvis, and spine that work together to keep us upright, balanced, and protected. It is more than just our abs! Goddess pose needs strength and stability to execute and inspires self-confidence. As with the other poses we’ve e

Mary Bridget Briggs graduated from CPF Oncology Yoga training June 14, 2026. Mary Bridget Briggs has been an elementary school teacher for 25 years and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in School Counseling! She is a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher and received her training through Breathe For Change, an organization whose goal is to transform education by bringing wellness, mindfulness, and yoga practices to foster trauma-informed teaching to today’s youth and the e

August’s Theme is Core & Confidence Focus on Stability, Self-Confidence, and Strength Core Stability Pose- Side Plank Our core is incredibly important; it matters for strength, stability, efficient movement, and injury prevention. It is a grouping of muscles in our trunk, pelvis, and spine that work together to keep us upright, balanced, and protected. It is more than just our abs! Side plank builds the whole core and as with the other poses we’ve explore this month it can be

August’s Theme is Core & Confidence Focus on Stability, Self-Confidence, and Strength Our core is incredibly important; it matters for strength, stability, efficient movement, and injury prevention. It is a grouping of muscles in our trunk, pelvis, and spine that work together to keep us upright, balanced, and protected. It is more than just our abs! Chair Pose Chair Pose is another great pose to explore for our core; it can be done standing, using a chair for assistance or e

August’s Theme is Core & Confidence Focus on Stability, Self-Confidence, and Strength Our core is incredibly important; it matters for strength, stability, efficient movement, and injury prevention. It is a grouping of muscles in our trunk, pelvis, and spine that work together to keep us upright, balanced, and protected. It is more than just our abs! Boat Pose Boat Pose helps to build our core and can be done seated or standing. Don’t rush the movement, pause in the shape and

Type of Cancer: Sarcoma & Bone Cancer July’s Theme is Cooling & Centering Our Focus is on Calm, cooling centered awareness Legs Up Wall Legs Up Wall relieves stress and calms the nervous system. While traditionally the hips are on the floor and the legs are next to one another on the wall, there are other fun variations that can be incorporated into class or to accommodate each body. · Add a blanket or bolster under the hips with the legs up the wall · Cross

Type of Cancer: Sarcoma & Bone Cancer July’s Theme is Cooling & Centering Our Focus is on Calm, cooling centered awareness Child's Pose Child’s pose is a commonly offered in yoga classes as it is very grounding and soothing. The standard shape can be difficult or uncomfortable for individuals with tight hips, knees, or ankles. Try some of the below variations to give everybody the opportunity to cool and center in Child's Pose. Always remember that the focus should be on

Nancy graduated from CPF training June 16, 2026. Oncology Yoga Nancy discovered yoga in 2002 when a friend brought her along to a Bikram class. During Nancy's first class, the teacher predicted that yoga would change her life, which has turned out to be very true! Through her yoga practice, Nancy has discovered her own personal power, peace with her body, and a love for time on the mat. As a yoga teacher, she shares this passion and excitement with all students. Yoga for Canc

Antonis graduated from CPF oncology training on June 16, 2026 In his own words: With over 16 years of personal yoga practice and more than 7 years of teaching experience, I am dedicated to using yoga as a supportive tool for health, well-being, and quality of life. I am a certified 200-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher and own a certification in Yoga for cancer care. Oncology Yoga To further strengthen my expertise, I am currently completing the Christina Phipps Foundation (CPF) Oncolo