Phoenix Rising Yoga for Cancer Recovery & Back Care

04/21/2026

Kudos to our North County Cancer Fitness North County Cancer Fitness unstoppable members in my Yoga Sculpt class at EōS Fitness Mondays 2.30 pm
this is what recovery can look like!

04/07/2026

Here is the NCCF class schedule for April 2026
Be sure to sign up on their website for locations and login info!
https://northcountycancerfitness.org/

BALLS, BANDS, AND DUMBBELLS with Mary MacDonald
Monday, 1:30 p.m. (in-person only)
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YOGA SCULPT with Alessandra Colfi
Monday, 2:30 p.m. (in-person only)
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GENTLE FITNESS with Amber Rogers
Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. (in-person only)
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WALKING WEDNESDAYS
Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.
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STRENGTH and STRETCH with Mary MacDonald
Wednesdays, 11 a.m. (in-person only)
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YOGA SCULPT with Alessandra Colfi
Wednesday, 1:45 p.m. (in-person & online)
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ZUMBA with Alessandra Colfi
Wednesday, 3 p.m. (in-person & online)
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CARLSBAD WALKERS
Thursday, 9:30 a.m.
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OUTDOOR GENTLE BOOT CAMP with Mary MacDonald
Thursday, 1:30 p.m. (in-person only)
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GENTLE YOGA with Alessandra Colfi
Thursday, 3 p.m. (in-person & online)
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TGIF PILATES with Mary MacDonald
New Time!Friday, 10:30 a.m. (in-person only)
NO CLASS 4/10
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New! CARLABAD "SOLE SURVIVORS" WALKING GROUP
Saturday, 10:30 a.m

04/01/2026

11/29/2025

For years, people believed that patients being treated for cancer should rest and take it easy. But research has shown that exercise during cancer treatment can help patients manage side effects, recover faster and even live longer. Here's what to know about exercise during cancer treatment and how ...

07/31/2025

Suggested Reading Booklist compiled by Daniel Vicario, M.D. Edited by Mary Hollander, R.N. These are just a few of the hundreds of wonderful books that have been written, to inspire us to become better human beings and help in our own healing. We would like to recommend three outstanding books writt...

07/01/2024

Improve your by
By Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Also practice with Alessandra Colfi - classes resume 7/8.
Balance is a one of the senses that we often take for granted—until we lose it. In our 50s and 60s, we may notice that our bodies feel less stable. Gradual changes linked to growing older—such as loss of muscle mass, lack of flexibility, slower reflexes, and worsening eyesight, and even certain medical conditions and medications —can affect our sense of balance.
And you guessed it, inactivity, sitting, or laying down for prolonged periods of time because of an illness like cancer can make balance more challenging.
Poor balance often leads to , which can cause head injuries and other disabling injuries. Hip fractures, in particular, can lead to serious health complications and threaten independence.

How walking can help balance
The good news is that there are ways to improve your sense of balance. In fact, just walking can help build lower-body strength, an important element of good balance.
Walking is safe exercise for most people and, in addition to improving balance, counts toward your aerobic activity goals.

How to get started with walking
A good walking plan should be designed to safely boost physical activity. The minutes count more than the miles.

If you aren't in the habit of exercising, start at the beginning. If you normally use a cane or walker, be sure to do so. As you feel stronger and more comfortable, gradually add more minutes to your walks.
If you already exercise, start with a walking plan that best matches your current routine and build from there. If the plan seems too easy, add time, distance, or hills. Aim for at least 150 minutes of walking per week, but don't hesitate to add more.

If health problems make walking especially difficult for you, a physiatrist or physical therapist can suggest other options.

For more information on improving your balance, check out Better Balance, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School .

Your core is more than just abdominal muscles; it includes the muscles in your back, sides, pelvis, and butt. They’re the muscles that allow you to reach, bend, and move freely.

07/01/2024

Lago Trasimeno, region, Italy. Leaving Tuscany, on our way to Assisi for our wonderful retreat with Mindfulness Travels. The sculpture garden commemorates wars, so how about offering Peaceful Warrior energy?

01/16/2024

This Week Yoga, Zumba, calling for HeArts! RSVP: Expressive Arts series - inspo

Click on 1/26/2024 to register here https://ucsandiegohealth.trumba.com/?filterview=expressiveArts You need to register only once for the whole series. Attendance of all 8 sessions is encouraged in order to experience the full range of benefits.  Thank all who have already registered!

11/27/2023

Yoga for Cancer Recovery & Back Care Mondays 6.30 pm - zoom
$ 5 suggested
Join me for some much needed TLC!!! 🙏🧘‍♂️🦋💖

11/02/2023

Super excited, honored, and grateful that both my abstracts ‘Hunting and Gathering: Expressive Arts Therapy to Ease Oncology Patients Healing Journeys by Cultivating Positivity and Nurturing Resilience During Challenging Times’ and ‘Mindfulness in Motion, Yoga, a Complementary Therapy in Healthcare’ have been accepted for a workshop presentation and class at the 2024 National Symposium for Academic Palliative Care Education and Research, scheduled at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina in San Diego, CA, February 7–9, 2024.
CSU Shiley Haynes Institute for Palliative Care

https://bc266.keap-link005.com/v2/click/a9f852789f7569585ad7a585cec67fff/eJyNkMtqwzAQRf9lFl2ZGtzgh8CUEEIwTrMo7doo8jQV0QtplGKC_71yKO2mhS7n3jtnHlcgNNxQNwKDoyjKEjLwKKSTaGhjDXFxM5umqlcZKGnOO2-jA3b9rfXbX9S6qqsiA5ocpsjL83rTd4fdsO8OfYo67tOI_3BWRVk3P6Dt07rbwzz_SUYtaXtJ8ACMfMTlolGmq-jVq5R_J3KB5bkI0XGlJCd5QZHWubf-lIdJOxtk1PljJD0EG73A9ozc3S21TqioW9RcqpsguHZcnkxrBdkj-qF4GAx-BIVE6NM63Dk049cve5yAvXEVcP4EUR-Avw==

The CSU Shiley Haynes Institute for Palliative Care’s National Symposium for Academic Palliative Care Education and Research.

10/18/2023

Very helpful ways to manage and lower anxiety are yoga, including deep breathing techniques, meditation, and exercise. Join in for Yoga Mondays 6.30 pm, Wednesdays 10 am for Restorative Yoga, and Thursdays 3 pm Gentle Yoga with North County Cancer Fitness
Your sleep will improve too!
Consider joyful cardio exercise like :
Tuesdays 11 am, Wed 3 pm, Sat 11 am, Sundays 11 am.

Do you often experience brain fog? It may be due to anxiety. You can find out more here.

10/16/2023

Chemotherapy can cause tingling, numbing and/or a pain sensation in the legs, arms, feet and hands. Learn from Salahadin Abdi, M.D., Ph.D., what’s happening to cause this discomfort and the variety of treatment options.