Exercise and meditative courses

Life Now Exercise

Life Now Exercise is a 12-week course, which includes two one-hour classes each week. Each class is facilitated by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and tailor-made for people affected by cancer. Participants receive an individualised program and experience the benefits in a safe and supportive group environment.

“The Life Now program helped me to get stronger and regain some confidence after my cancer treatment. I loved working out at the gym and talking to other people on the program. Life Now was a great transition for me between treatment and getting back into life, as well as setting me on a good path to a healthier lifestyle.” – 2021 Life Now Exercise Participant

What are the benefits?

Research has found that exercise is an effective medicine for people with cancer. People with cancer who exercise regularly have fewer and milder side effects from their treatments. For example, regular exercise can help to:

• Reduce the effects of fatigue and pain
• Manage nausea
• Improve strength and physical function
• Improve quality of life
• Maintain muscle mass
• Improve bone mineral density
• Prevent weight gain
• Improve sleeping patterns

Eligibility criteria

• Life Now Exercise is offered to Western Australians who have been diagnosed with cancer in the last two years, are currently undergoing cancer treatment or who have completed cancer treatment in the last two years.
• Primary Carers are eligible to register when the patient they support is also enrolled.
• We prioritise new participants, giving everyone the opportunity to participate in our Life Now Exercise course. If you have previously participated in Life Now Exercise, please apply for a waitlist position.

Exercise Program contraindications include the following health conditions:

• Presence of an acute illness, in addition to the initial cancer diagnosis
• Any musculoskeletal, cardiovascular or neurological disorder that could place the participant at risk of severe injury or illness resulting from the exercise (excluding conditions/disorders that require exercise as part of their treatment)
• Presence of bone metastases*
• Presence of myeloma bone disease
• Severe anaemia
• Neutropenia.

Following registration, each participant must gain medical clearance and complete an initial assessment with their assigned accredited exercise physiologist, who will develop their individually tailored exercise program (fee applies).

* People with bone metastases may now apply for the Life Now Exercise Joondalup course. Participants will be required to provide the Exercise Physiologist with a radiological scan which identifies the location of the bone metastases i.e. CT/PET/Bone scan. Email us for more information.

Timetable

The current Life Now Exercise timetable is below.  You can register for your preferred course here.

BENTLEY Exercise: Wednesdays & Fridays, 11:00am-12:00pm (1hr), 14 February – 8 May

BUNBURY Exercise: Mondays & Wednesdays, 12:30 – 1:30pm (1hr), 19 February – 15 May

COMO Exercise: Mondays & Wednesdays, 11:00am – 12:00pm (1hr), 19 February – 15 May

FLOREAT Exercise: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12:00pm – 1:00pm (1hr), 13 February – 7 May

JOONDALUP Exercise: Tuesdays & Fridays, 10:00am -11:00am (1hr), 5 March – 28 May

JOONDALUP Exercise (Bone Mets): Tuesdays & Fridays, 10:00am -11:00am (1hr), 5 March – 28 May

MANDURAH Exercise: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2:00pm – 3:00pm (1hr), 20 February – 14 May

MIDLAND Exercise: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2:00pm – 3:00pm (1hr), 13 February – 7 May

WILLAGEE Exercise: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:00am – 12:00pm (1hr), 22 August – 9 November

To receive Life Now Program updates, please subscribe to the Life Now mailing list by emailing lifenow@cancerwa.asn.au 

Life Now Meditation

Life Now Meditation is an introductory six-week guided course running for an hour each week. Each class is led by a senior meditation teacher.

Guided meditation involves learning and practicing different meditation techniques. There is no need for any prior skills or experience to participate and benefit from the course. You will be provided with a range of simple techniques to help you relax and calm your mind.

What are the benefits?

Meditation has shown to have great benefits for people affected by cancer. It can assist to:

• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Improve quality of life
• Improve sleep and mood
• Manage chronic pain
• Manage abnormal blood pressure.

Eligibility criteria

• Life Now Meditation is offered to West Australians who have been diagnosed with cancer, or who have experienced a recurrence, secondary or progression, in the last five years
• Primary carers are also eligible to attend (by themselves, or in support of a cancer patient), and are invited to register.
• As this is a beginners course, no prior experience is required to participate.
• If you have previously participated in 3 or more Life Now Meditation courses, please apply for a waitlist position.

Timetable

The current Life Now Meditation timetable is below.  You can register for your preferred course here.

BUSSELTON Meditation: Thursdays, 10:50am – 11.50am (1hr) 15 February – 21 March

MANDURAH Meditation: Thursdays, 1:00pm – 2:00pm (1hr), 15 February – 21 March

NARROGIN  Meditation: Wednesdays, 12:00pm – 1:00pm (1hr), 14 February – 20 March

PADBURY Meditation: Wednesdays, 2:00pm – 3:00pm (1hr), 14 February – 20 March

SHENTON PARK Meditation: Wednesdays, 10:00am – 11:00am (1hr), 14 February – 20 March

ONLINE  Meditation: Wednesdays, 10:00am-11:00am (1hr), 14 February – 20 March

WANNEROO Meditation: Mondays, 10:00am-11:00am (1hr), 12 February – 25 March

To receive Life Now Program updates, please subscribe to the Life Now mailing list by emailing lifenow@cancerwa.asn.au 

Life Now Mindful Art

Life Now Mindful Art is an introductory six-week guided course running for an hour-and-a-half each week. Each class is led by a senior art therapy teacher.

The Mindful Art program provides a basic understanding of mindfulness concepts, delivered through simple art classes. By focusing on the creative process rather than the final product, participants are encouraged to be more present and increase their self-awareness.

What are the benefits?

Mindful Art has shown to have great benefits for people affected by cancer. It can assist to:

• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Increase social functioning
• Improve quality of life

Eligibility criteria

• Life Now Mindful Art is offered to West Australians who have been diagnosed with cancer, or who have experienced a recurrence, secondary or progression, in the last five years
• Primary carers are also eligible to attend (by themselves, or in support of a cancer patient), and are invited to register.
• As this is a beginner’s course, no prior experience is required to participate and all materials are provided.
• If you have previously participated in Life Now Mindful Art, please apply for a waitlist position.

Timetable

The current Life Now Mindful Art timetable is below.  You can register for your preferred course here.

SHENTON PARK  Mindful Art: Tuesdays, 10:30am – 12:00pm (1.5hr), 13 February – 19 March

Life Now Yoga

Life Now Yoga is a gentle introductory six-week course running for an hour each week. Each class is delivered by a senior yoga teacher.

Yoga is a whole-body philosophy which involves gentle stretching, breathing exercises, postures and meditation. There is no need for any prior skills or experience to participate and benefit from the course. You will be guided through each class and your teacher will adapt the yoga poses to suit your needs.

“The Life Now 6-week Yoga course was simply amazing. I have learnt so much as a first timer to Yoga about techniques to support both my body and mind.” – 2021 Life Now Yoga Participant

What are the benefits?

Yoga has shown to have great benefits for people affected by cancer. It can assist to:

• Reduce stress, anxiety & depression
• Reduce the effects of fatigue and pain
• Improve quality of life
• Improve sleep and mood
• Increase flexibility and balance
• Increase muscle strength

Eligibility criteria

• Life Now Yoga is offered to West Australians who have been diagnosed with cancer, or who have experienced a recurrence, secondary or progression, in the last five years
• Primary carers are also eligible to attend (by themselves, or in support of a cancer patient), and are invited to register.
• As this is a beginners course, no prior experience is required to participate.
• So we can help more people experience the many benefits of yoga, participants are invited to attend three Life Now Yoga courses.

Timetable

Six Yoga courses were held in Term 4, 2023. The next term of Life Now Yoga is planned to commence in Term 2, 2024.

To receive Life Now Program updates, please subscribe to the Life Now mailing list by emailing lifenow@cancerwa.asn.au.

Life Now Tai Chi

Life Now Tai Chi is a gentle introductory six-week course running for an hour each week. Each class is delivered by a senior tai chi instructor.

Tai Chi is a moving meditation which involves gentle movements, deep breathing techniques and meditation. There is no need for any prior skills or experience to participate and benefit from the course. You will be guided through each class and your teacher will adapt movements to suit your needs.

“Thank you so much for your Tai Chi course. I had always wanted to be instructed in this and found it wonderful. I felt like I was flying when I had finished.” – 2021 Life Now Tai Chi Participant

What are the benefits?

Tai Chi has shown to have great benefits for people affected by cancer. It can assist to:

• Improve quality of life
• Increase flexibility and balance
• Increase muscle strength
• Reduce anxiety, depression and stress.

Eligibility criteria

• Life Now Tai Chi is offered to West Australians who have been diagnosed with cancer, or who have experienced a recurrence, secondary or progression, in the last five years
• Primary carers are also eligible to attend (by themselves, or in support of a cancer patient), and are invited to register.
• As this is a beginners course, no prior experience is required to participate.
• So we can help more people experience the many benefits of tai chi, participants are invited to attend three Life Now Tai Chi courses.

Timetable

Three Tai Chi courses were held in Term 4, 2023. The next term of Life Now Tai Chi is planned to commence in Term 2, 2024.

To receive Life Now Program updates, please subscribe to the Life Now mailing list by emailing lifenow@cancerwa.asn.au.

Life Now Mindfulness

Life Now Mindfulness is an eight-week course running for two-hours each week. Each class is facilitated by a senior mindfulness instructor.

Mindfulness practices encourage individuals to experience the present moment in a non-judgemental way. There is no need for any prior skills or experience to participate and benefit from the course. You will be taught practical coping techniques to counter the effects of cancer-related stress.

What are the benefits?

Mindfulness has shown to have great benefits for people affected by cancer. It can assist to:

• Reduce stress, anxiety and depression
• Improve quality of life
• Improve sleep and mood
• Manage pain

“It really helped to clear my mind of depressing and negative thoughts. To realise these thoughts can go as quickly as they come!” – 2021 Life Now Mindfulness Participant

Eligibility criteria

• Life Now Mindfulness is offered to Western Australians who have been diagnosed with cancer, or who have experienced a recurrence, secondary or progression, in the last five years.
• Primary carers are also eligible to attend (by themselves, or in support of a cancer patient), and are invited to apply.
• We prioritise new participants, giving everyone the opportunity to participate in our Life Now Mindfulness course.

This course also requires a commitment to participation in a small group setting and home practice between classes.

Timetable

Three Mindfulness courses were held in Term 4, 2023. The next term of Life Now Mindfulness is planned to commence in Term 2, 2024.

To receive Life Now Program updates, please subscribe to the Life Now mailing list by emailing lifenow@cancerwa.asn.au.

What’s the difference between mindfulness and meditation?

Meditation helps you relax, channel a calmer outlook, and results are more instantaneous when practiced often.

Mindfulness is more intense and hands-on. Mindfulness skills learnt during classes change how you process your thoughts, how you mentally react to certain situations, and can support long term changes to your thought processes.

How can exercise help to reduce the side-effects of cancer treatment?

Regular exercise during or after treatment can help to:

• Improve wellbeing and quality of life
• Reduce fatigue
• Improve sleeping patterns
• Improve strength and fitness
• Improve physical function
• Manage pain
• Manage nausea
• Maintain and build muscle mass
• Prevent weight gain
• Preserve metabolism
• Maintain bone health
• Reduce depression and anxiety

Do you have any resources to help me continue to practice exercise and meditative techniques at home?

Yes we do, please see related resources section below:

• Download Exercise for People Living with Cancer booklet
• Watch 22 different exercises that you can try at home (produced by Cancer Council NSW)