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

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

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

July’s Theme is Cooling & Centering Our Focus is on Calm, cooling centered awareness There are so many fun ways to incorporate forward folds into your practice and they tend to be cooling and centering. One thing to keep in mind is that straight leg forward folds can put pressure on the spine/hips and low back. Make sure to keep the knees soft with a slight bend to help alleviate some of the pressure and if on the floor you can add bolsters or blocks beneath the knees. It

Type of Cancer: Sarcoma & Bone Cancer July’s Theme is Cooling & Centering Our Focus is on Calm, cooling centered awareness According to the Mayo Clinic: “Sarcoma refers to a broad group of cancers that start in the bones and soft tissues. Soft tissues connect, support and surround other body structures. Soft tissues include muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons and the lining of the joints. Cancer that starts in the soft tissue is called soft tissue sarcoma. There ar

June’s monthly theme is Energy & Expansion Our Focus is on Breath, Sun Salutations, Lifting Energy Use hashtag #NationalCancerSurvivorMonth and #ChristinaPhippsFoundation to share your messages and stories about National Cancer Survivor Month Asanas Standing Triangle Flow Begin in Mountain. Inhale and as you exhale step your right foot back turning the right toes out to the side. Pause for a breath or two and ensure both feet are pointed slightly out and the hips and shou

June’s monthly theme is Energy & Expansion Our Focus is on Breath, Sun Salutations, Lifting Energy Use hashtag #NationalCancerSurvivorMonth and #ChristinaPhippsFoundation to share your messages and stories about National Cancer Survivor Month Asanas Standing Upward Facing Dog Flow Begin in mountain. Inhale the arms overhead and exhale to forward fold, bringing your hand to the floor or blocks. Pause for a breath. Inhale and lengthen the spine, lifting halfway; then forwa

June’s monthly theme is Energy & Expansion Asanas Our Focus is on Breath, Sun Salutations, Lifting Energy this month. Standing Crescent Flow Begin in mountain. Bring the arms forward to shoulder height, bend elbows, palms in and fingers up. On the inhale open the elbows to the side to goal posts and on the exhale bring the elbows back in; repeat a few times. Return to mountain. Step the right foot back landing on the toes, gently sinking the hips toward the earth while

June is National Cancer Survivors Month. We honor and support individuals who have faced cancer, those who have survived cancer, the community who supports those with cancer, and ongoing research. Highlighting National Cancer Survivors Month helps celebrate survivors, brings awareness and education around survivorship, creates public engagement around research and advocacy and provides inspiration and outreach for families, caregivers, and communities affected by cancer.

In May we bring awareness to Bladder Cancer. Per the Mayo Clinic, Bladder cancer is a common type of cancer that begins in the cells of the bladder. While there are multiple types of Bladder Cancer, they are known to recur after treatment and for that reason, people with bladder cancer typically need follow-up tests for years after treatment to diagnose recurrence. To support survivors, focus on core, legs, and resilience. Also, diarrhea and constipation are common side effe

Theme: Strength & Empowerment Focus: Core, Legs and Resilience Asanas: Warrior I & II, Boat Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer with a very high survival rate over 5 years (nearly 99% for those caught early)! Treatments vary depending on the type of skin cancer and stage, but all survivors need support both mentally and physically. To support survivors, focus on core, legs, and resilience. Asanas: Tadasana Standing: Feet hip distance apart, length th

When undergoing cancer treatment, yoga practice can be beneficial to promote overall well being. We start with gentle breath work, the keystone of a yoga practice. Respiration is expanded helping to deliver fresh oxygen, nourishing all the cells and systems of the body. The slow mindful breathing techniques, called pranayama, assist in regulating the nervous system. This relieves the stress that comes with cancer treatment, and allows the patient to find ease in the recovery

Cervical Cancer develops in the cervix. This type of gynecological cancer begins with abnormal changes in healthy cells on the surface of the cervix. If left untreated, the abnormal cells may begin to grow uncontrollably, bind together and form a cancerous tumor. Focus: Standing Strength, Balance and Grounding Asanas: Mountain, Tree, Warrior II, Chair Pose Poses in Chair Yoga Chair Yoga Mountain: Seated tall with feet grounded, arms raised overhead or at sides. Tree: One