Our courses are free of charge for people affected by cancer and their primary carers, thanks to generous community donations. All courses are delivered by experienced facilitators in a safe and supportive environment.
For details of all upcoming Life Now Program courses, please see our Event Calendar, download the Life Now Term 2 Poster. 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 Australian adults (18yrs or over) 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.
OCEAN REEF Mindful Art: Tuesdays, 10:00am – 11:30pm (1.5hr), 14 May – 18 June
WANNANUP Mindful Art: Tuesdays, 10:00am – 11:30pm (1.5hr), 14 May – 18 June
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.
Please note that this course requires a commitment to participation in a small group setting and home practice between classes.
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 Australian adults (18yrs or over) 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.
- If you have previously participated in Life Now Mindfulness, please apply for a waitlist position. You will then be contacted if there is course availability prior to course commencement.
Timetable
The current Life Now Mindfulness timetable is below. You can register for your preferred course here.
SHENTON PARK Mindfulness: Wednesdays, 10:00am – 12:00pm (2hr), 15 May – 3 July
WELLARD Mindfulness: Thursdays, 9:30am – 11:30am (2hr), 16 May – 4 July
WILSON Mindfulness: Wednesdays, 3:00pm – 5:00pm (2hr), 15 May – 3 July
ONLINE Mindfulness: Thursdays, 2:30pm – 4:30pm (2hr), 16 May – 4 July
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 Australian adults (18yrs or over) 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 Tai Chi courses, please apply for a waitlist position.
Timetable
The current Life Now Tai Chi timetable is below. You can register for your preferred course here.
BUNBURY Tai Chi: Wednesdays, 10:00am – 11:00am (1hr), 15 May – 19 June
BUTLER Tai Chi: Wednesdays, 1:00Pm – 2:00pm (1hr), 15 May – 19 June
PARKWOOD Tai Chi: Thursdays, 10:30am – 11:30am (1hr), 16 May – 20 June
ONLINE Tai Chi: Wednesdays, 9:00am – 10:00am (1hr), 15 May – 19 June
To receive Life Now Program updates, please subscribe to the Life Now mailing list by emailing lifenow@cancerwa.asn.au.
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 Australia adults (18yrs or over) 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 three or more Life Now Yoga courses, please apply for a waitlist position.
Timetable
The current Life Now Yoga timetable is below. You can register for your preferred course here.
ALBANY Yoga: Tuesdays, 11:00am – 12:00pm (1hr), 14 May – 18 June
BROOME Yoga: Tuesdays, 6:45pm – 7:45pm (1hr), 14 May – 18 June
BUSSELTON Yoga: Thursdays, 11:00am – 12:00pm (1hr), 16 May – 20 June
MANDURAH Yoga: Tuesdays, 10:30am – 11:30am (1hr), 14 May – 18 June
SHENTON PARK Yoga: Tuesdays, 4:30pm – 5:30pm (1hr), 14 May – 18 June
SORRENTO Yoga: Tuesdays, 10:00am – 11:00am (1hr), 14 May – 18 June
ONLINE Yoga: Wednesdays, 1:00pm – 2:00pm (1hr), 15 May – 19 June
To receive Life Now Program updates, please subscribe to the Life Now mailing list by emailing lifenow@cancerwa.asn.au.
Life Now Exercise
Timetable
Eight Exercise courses were held in Term 1, 2024. The next term of Life Now Exercise is planned to commence in Term 3, 2024.
To receive Life Now Program updates, please subscribe to the Life Now mailing list by emailing lifenow@cancerwa.asn.au.
Life Now Meditation
Timetable
Seven Meditation courses were held in Term 1, 2024. The next term of Life Now Meditation is planned to commence in Term 3, 2024.
To receive Life Now Program updates, please subscribe to the Life Now mailing list by emailing lifenow@cancerwa.asn.au.
Registering for a course
Term 2 2024 courses are set to commence in May. You can register for your preferred course here.
To receive Life Now Program updates, please subscribe to the Life Now mailing list by emailing lifenow@cancerwa.asn.au.
Frequently asked questions
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: