Studies show that mindfulness practice increases immunological functioning, improves the quality of life for cancer patients, and provides better focus and decision-making skills. Learn how to implement mindfulness into a patients cancer recovery plan.

Created in collaboration with the University of Calgary, MBCR is a 12-week cancer class for patients facing some of the issues that are specific to their illness. Studies show that mindfulness practice increases immunological functioning, improves the quality of life for cancer patients, and provides better focus and decision-making skills. Yet many people under medical care for cancer cannot access support programs due to geographical distance, transportation issues, cancer-related illness or limited mobility. Our MBCR program is the only mindfulness-based cancer support program available in a live, online interactive classroom. Anyone with an Internet connection can participate.

Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery

Session 1 Home Practice

Session 1 What is Mindfulness

Practice Log

This session introduces the concept of mindfulness and how it can help to manage day-to-day stressors and to live a more meaningful and authentic life.

Introduction to Mindfulness

Session 2 Home Practice

This session helps participants get a realistic understanding of the knowledge of the relationships between stress, mood and cancer risk and outcomes. It also discusses how mindfulness can help with some of the common difficult aspects of dealing with a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Mindfulness and Cancer

Session 3 Home Practice

Session 3 Sitting Postures

This session explores the mindfulness attitudes of Beginner’s Mind, non-judging, patience and non-attachment.

Mindfulness Attitudes

Session 4 Home Practice

Session 4 Hindrances

Session 4 Yoga Exercises

This session discusses embodied practices of mindfulness of movement through gentle yoga postures as a way to “re-friend” the body and help to strengthen and recover from physical symptoms.

Mindfulness in the Body

Session 5 Home Practice

Session 5 Awareness of unpleasant events log

Session 5 Stress Self-Assessment

Session 5 Responding and reacting to stress - diagrams

This session focuses on learning about the “fight or flight” stress reaction and understanding the pivotal role of mindfulness in responding to stress as being key to managing stress effectively, reducing “wear and tear” and supporting the body’s healing capacities

Reacting versus Responding to Stress

Session 6 Home Practice

Session 6 ANS Diagrams

Session 6 Minis

This session focuses on learning various breathing methods to help balance the autonomic nervous system and to achieve an optimal level of energy between activation and relaxation.

Balance in the Autonomic Nervous System

MBCR Session 7 Home Practice v2

Session 7 Challenging our Assumptions

Session 7 Pitfalls in Thinking

This session begins to explore and understand both the unhelpful and helpful strategies participants use to make meaning, in order to choose wise appraisals that support well-being.

Mindful Coping

Session 8 Home Practice

Session 8 Falling Asleep Exercise

This session focuses on mindfulness-based approaches combined with techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia to help re-establish normal, restorative sleep patterns.

Mindfulness and Sleep

Session 9 Home Practice

Session 9 Interconnectedness

This session explores concepts around insight, the nature of awareness and interconnectedness and teaches open awareness practices.

Deepening and Expanding

Session 10 Home Practice

Session 10 Uses of Imagery

This session explores the use of imagery including visualization to access and reinforce inner qualities and resources that support mindfulness practice. Unlike approaches that use imagery primarily to avoid or escape difficult situations, this practice highlighting parts of actual lived experiences that may be subtle or obscured and brings them to the foreground.

Imagery for Deepening Awareness

Session 11 Home Practice

Session 11 Sun Salutations

Session 11 Loving Kindness Practice

This session explores practices that emphasize the interconnectedness between self and others and asks to be truly aware and open to the shared kinship of all beings which includes the legacy of suffering but also the possibility of embodying healing qualities of love and kindness.

Loving Kindness towards Self and Others

This session encourages participants to bring mindfulness into everyday life as much as possible.