Programs

Education

"Chemobrain" - Is It Real? (Main)

Cancer patients often experience cognitive impairments from a combination of factors: the cancer itself, treatment side effects, other medications and medical complications. These changes can reveal themselves as memory loss, lack of sustained attention, etc. Learn some ways to address these effects, with facilitator Christina Meyers, Ph.D., ABPP, Neuro-Psychology Services.

Everything You Wanted to Know About Tea

Tea is a contemplative beverage that lends itself to reflection and relaxation. Join us to sample and learn about tea including where it comes from, how it is processed and the benefits of each type.

Exercise 101: A Guide to Starting a Fitness Program

A fun and fact-filled class designed to teach cancer survivors the principles needed to establish and participate in a fitness program. Wear loose clothing and sturdy shoes as part of the class includes demonstration with class participation.
Facilitators: Lauro Munoz

Finding Reliable Health Information

Our health education specialist shares resources to help you research supplements or therapies that may help manage your side effects. Learn how to navigate Web sites, how to evaluate natural products for quality and safety and, most importantly, how to discuss complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) with your doctor.

Guest Chef (Mays)

Local chefs demonstrate their cooking skills and provide taste samples for the audience. The focus is on nutritious foods that cancer patients may prepare and eat. Clinical dieticians discuss the nutritional component of the recipes.

Healing Touch for Self and Others (Main)

Explore this energy-based therapeutic approach to healing that uses touch to influence the body's energy, and may affect your physical, mental and spiritual health.
Facilitators: Margaret Harle, R.N., B.S.N., and Noemi Peterson, M.S.N., M.S., R.N.

Herbal Lecture Series (Mays)

Dieticians provide general background information and recommendations for cancer patients using herbal products. Each week, one herb is highlighted with information about plant origin, common uses, potential risks and benefits.

Introduction to Reflexology (Main)

Discover the benefits of reflexology with facilitator Margaret Harle in an educational session and hands-on demonstration. Reflexology is a self-healing art focusing on nerve endings located in the hands and feet. When done by a skilled practitioner, this ancient remedy deeply relaxes and relieves tension, with benefits that can be felt throughout the body.

Look Good, Feel Better (Mays)

This program is presented by trained, licensed cosmetologists that help patients adjust to temporary or permanent changes in their appearance. If it is your first time attending the class, you will receive a complementary makeup kit, head cover and wig! You must pre-register for this program by calling 713-792-6039.

Nutrition Lectures (Main)

Whether you need help dealing with side effects or simply want to maintain your health, we'll talk about cancer and treatment effects on the body's natural ability to absorb nutrients from food. Learn about the special nutritional needs for cancer patients, information on organic foods and more.
Facilitator: Dena Norton

P.I.K.N.I.C.

A weekly educational forum for M. D. Anderson patients, caregivers, faculty and staff who want to learn more about issues relevant to cancer. Sessions are led by experts from M. D. Anderson or the Houston community, whose topics range from meditation techniques to cancer treatment news and everything in between.

Place ... of wellness 101: An Introduction to Integrative Medicine

Physical healing is only part of the puzzle. This informative presentation will introduce the benefits of programs offered at Place ... of wellness to patients and their caregivers. You'll hear evidence-based research on symptom management and more. Tour our facilities and learn how our programs can benefit you.

Reiki (Main)

Learn how the Reiki master uses Universal Life Energy to relax the body, reduce stress, lower pain and enhance the body, mind and spirit connection. See a brief demonstration of this work and find out how to practice this on yourself and others.
Facilitator: Mike Powers

Safe Massage Techniques for the Cancer Patient (Main)

Join Sat Siri Sumler, R.M.T, N.C.T.M.B., as she teaches participants the hands-on practice of several gentle touch massage techniques. Learn how and when to use massage and the benefits and precautions of massage for patients with cancer.
Facilitator: Sat Siri Sumler, R.M.T.

Expressive Arts

The Celebration Singers

Are you a cancer survivor or caregiver who enjoys singing? If you are, this special choir is for you! The group's purpose is to make beautiful music, have fun and provide inspiration to the newly diagnosed and the long-term survivor. Please contact the choir's director, Michael Richardson, M.T.-B.C. (music therapist at M. D. Anderson) at 713-563-0858 for rehearsal information or to join!

Expressive Arts Classes

Offerings each month at Main Campus and Mays Clinic. Classes include "Paint Your Own Pottery - Fimo Clay," "Mosaic Mania!" See schedule for dates.

Experiencing Music Therapy (Mays)

Join us for this fun workshop for anyone wanting to express feelings or thoughts through music!
Facilitator: Michael Richardson, M.T.-B.C.

Meditation and Spirituality

Inner Joy (Main)

Join us for an exercise based in ancient tradition with the goal of promoting relaxation and stress relief to its practitioners.
Facilitator: Hu Lin

Introduction to Centering Prayer (Main)

Come share the origins and historical background of this ancient prayer practice. Open to people of all faiths, beliefs or denominations.
Facilitators: Maria Kennedy and Kim Kehoe

Mindfulness Meditation (Mays)

Bringing kind, gentle attention to our present moment experiences is the essence of mindfulness. Learn stress relieving techniques to help you live life more fully and peacefully and handle its challenges with effectiveness and compassion.
Facilitator: Micki Fine

Qigong

Experience this ancient Chinese system of self care using meditation, breathing exercises and gentle movements to promote deep relaxation, stress reduction and energy balance.
Facilitator: Mike Powers

The Road Less Traveled: Cancer Path and Spiritual Journey (Main)

Come join other fellow travelers on the path in an open-ended discussion and exploration of cancer as spiritual crossroads.
Facilitator: Maria Kennedy

Tibetan Meditation: Connect with the Heart (Mays)

Access a deeper awareness through connecting the mind, body and heart, and find your "home." Learn to connect the mind and the breath in a good balance of relaxation, to bring you peace and a release of tension.
Facilitator: Alejandro Chaoul, Ph.D.

Tibetan Meditation: Sacred Sounds (Main)

The wisdom traditions of Tibet contain a storehouse of information about the healing and spiritual uses of sound. Learn simple sounds, carried by the breath, that enable you to re-connect, bringing balance and healing.
Facilitator: Alejandro Chaoul, Ph.D.

Movement

Awareness Through Movement (Main)

Through movement, learn how you can improve your capacity to function in your daily life and learn how the whole body cooperates in any movement.
Facilitator: Mary Beth Smith

NIA: Body Energizer (Mays)

Explore this gentle yet lively restorative movement class. This class incorporates techniques from yoga, tai chi and NIA dance (play). The movements are easy to follow and inspired by a relaxing musical beat.
Facilitator: Carla Warneke

Pilates
Learn and practice a series of exercises in deep muscle strengthening that improve skeletal alignment and overall flexibility. Comfortable, flexible clothing is required. This class is mat based. (Floor activity is involved.)
Facilitator: Sarah Mifsud

Tai Chi

Enter a soft and gentle exercise of the mind and body through mindful awareness and continuous fluid movement.
Facilitator: Mike Powers

Yoga (Hatha)

Stretch your mind as well as your body by learning the postures, breathing exercises and meditation which comprise the practice of yoga.
Facilitator: Jennifer Buergermeister

Yoga (Kundalini) (Mays)

A spiritual and meditative practice with a physical component that strengthens the health and well-being of the physical body, increases flexibility and brings emotional balance.
Facilitator: Sat Siri Sumler, R.M.T.

Yoga/Nia: Body Energizer (Mays)

Warm up with a playful musical beat in this gentle, yet lively, half hour of guided movement that is adaptable and safe for any fitness level. Then stretch out, focus and become centered using yoga postures and breathing techniques. You should leave this class feeling energized and relaxed.
Facilitator: Carla Warneke

Relaxation and Stress Management

Aromatherapy and Self-Massage (Mays)

Cherie Perez, B.S., R.N., C.C.R.A., R.M.T., helps you experience essential oils which have possible therapeutic uses. Take home a comprehensive guide to creating your own aroma blend at home. Samples are available during the class.

Brief Relaxation Chair Massage

Take some time just for yourself to experience a brief upper body massage for relaxation. Pre-registration is required.

Laughter Yoga

We all know that laughter makes us feel good. Laughter fills your lungs and body with oxygen, exercising the lungs. Participants report reduction in stress, blood pressure, depression and more. Join Chaplains Stephen Findley and Christiana Liem for Laughter Yoga, a blend of yogic deep breathing, stretching and simulated laughter exercises, and cultivate child-like playfulness.

Relaxation and Self-Hypnosis Techniques for Stress Management (Main)

Learn how self-hypnosis and progressive relaxation can help alleviate anxiety, sleep disturbances, fear, stress, pain and tension. Offered in English and Spanish.

Relaxation Techniques (Mays)

Debra Sivesind, C.N.S., Psychiatry, leads an exercise in guided imagery, the art of creating mental images of reality or fantasy by using your imagination and all five senses. The practice is widely used for relaxation, stress management and reduction of pain and side effects from cancer treatment.

Self-Hypnosis for Relaxation (Main)

Through self-hypnosis techniques, find out how to get back the ability to relax, to reduce adverse symptoms from treatment and enhance your overall quality of life, with facilitator Christina Meyers, Ph.D., A.B.P.P., Neuro-Psychology Services.

Stress Management Techniques (Mays)

This is an experiential class with Cindy Carmack Taylor, Ph.D., Behavioral Sciences, teaching relaxation procedures, diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery.

Support Groups

Professionally-led support groups at Place … of wellness provide education, group discussion, guest speaker presentations and supportive sharing for patients, family and friends.

Breast Cancer Support Group (Mays)

Third Wednesday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Facilitators: Mary Dev, LaShan Archie

Breast Cancer Support Group for Depression and Anxiety

Caregivers: "I've Got Feelings, Too"

This group for caregivers helps build a better understanding about themselves and greater confidence in coping. Ongoing group meetings every Thursday, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Phyddy Tacchi, C.N.S., R.N.
A light lunch will be served. Please call 713-794-4700 to register.

Endometrial Cancer Support Group (Mays)

Second Wednesday, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Jennifer Stanley

Ovarian Cancer Support Group (Mays)

Second Wednesday, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Facilitators: Alycia Hughes, Mary Fitzgerald
A light snack will be served. Please call 713-794-4700 to register.

Spine Tumor Support Group

First Wednesday, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Additional Opportunities

Individual consults are available by appointment for services listed below (some services for inpatients as well):

• Guided imagery/self-hypnosis/stress management
• Nutrition (including nutrition support during treatment, herb and/or vitamin supplement use)
• Relaxation touch therapy
• Acupuncture Services
• Massage Therapy
• Practice reducing stress with personalized biofeedback