Complementary Therapies are offered through Sunstone at the following locations.

Sunstone Healing Center
2545 N. Woodland Road
Tucson, AZ 85749
(520) 749-1928

Sunstone Resource Center at TMC
2625 N. Craycroft, Ste., 101
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520) 324-2840

Sunstone Resource Center NW
Inn at the Fountains
5830 N. Fountains Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85704
(520) 219-8446

Check the Sunstone Calendar for dates and times of of classes and workshops. Call ahead to reserve a space. For individual therapies, call the location to make an appointment.

MIND-BODY-SPIRIT SKILLS GROUPS

Mind Body Spirit Skills Classes
Please call (520) 694-1812 for information and registration about upcoming classes.

Mind-Body-Spirit Medicine is the medicine of the 21st century. Mind-Body-Spirit approaches have been shown to be effective in helping people enjoy a better quality of life. They also enhance the healing process, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Sunstone offers regular classes on Mind-Body-Spirit skills, as well as immersion retreats, teaching these techniques. Sunstone’s Mind-Body-Spirit Skills Groups give people tools for coping with illness, stress and the ups and downs of life. Mind-Body-Spirit techniques can enhance the healing process – physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

THE RESEARCH

The Mind-Body-Spirit approach is based on accumulating evidence indicating that there is a "biobehavioral model" of health and disease that is relevant to cancer generally, and breast cancer in particular. In general, this model suggests that what people think and feel affects the state of their health in two basic ways: by affecting their behavioral choices (e.g., smoking) and by their biological processes (such as cortisol levels) that affect risk and response to disease.

Cortisol is a hormone that is released in response to stress. Researchers have found lower counts and suppressed activity of natural killer cells among cancer patients who have abnormal cortisol levels. They have also found that stress reduction interventions have resulted in patients having reduced cortisol levels and concomitant improvements in immune system functioning.

Dr. David Spiegel, a Stanford professor and long-time researcher and promoter of psychosocial support for cancer patients believes that although much remains to be learned about how the stress response system affects tumor growth, the current research draws a connection that should be heeded. Spiegel has said, “Managing those stress responses by adopting healthy eating and exercise habits, getting a good night's sleep, and finding good emotional and social support, should be regarded as much a part of cancer treatment as chemotherapy or radiation” (Science Daily, 10/01/2003).

The ability to relax is an antidote to the effects of the stress response, and it has also been found to enhance the effectiveness of the body's defenses and self-repair mechanisms. Regular practice of techniques that elicit relaxation and bring about stress reduction also brings improved emotional well-being and better handling of stressful life events. There are many techniques that can be used to produce relaxation and, indeed, learning to do them is at the heart of Mind-Body-Spirit Medicine. Sunstone’s Mind-Body Skills Group is a powerful way to learn a combination of skills that will help in dealing with the challenges of a cancer diagnosis. A simple research tool used with Sunstone’s Mind-Body-Spirit Skills Groups has shown that the participants have enhanced emotional outlooks. We have also observed that Group members are able to better deal with treatment, tests, and life functions.

Specifically participants have found:

• A decrease in depression and anxiety

• A heightened sense of well-being and engagement in life

• Better coping skills through learning a dependable range of useful tools for managing pain, anxiety and stress

• Greater insight and positive perceptions about their illness and condition – making it easier to handle their situations

• Fewer physical symptoms of illness – less pain and fatigue, and more energy

• Enhanced immune system functioning to help the body mobilize itself against illness

WHAT PARTICIPANTS HAVE SAID

“To me the Mind-Body-Spirit Skills Group means calmness, soothing and awareness at a time when I really needed those things. The skills I learned continue to help me everyday.” Debbie

“The Group gave me a variety of tools which have really helped me deal both emotionally and physically with my lung cancer diagnosis. It changed my life and allowed healing to take place. It is the best money I ever spent.” Bob

“I learned skills, which enabled me to cope more effectively with my cancer diagnosis. When times get tough, I resort to imagery and breathing exercises. I will always be grateful.” Vicki

“Attending the Mind Body series, provided me the opportunity to learn techniques for self exploration and stress management. Now, more than a year after having taken the course, I still use the tools of journaling and visualization and find them very beneficial!” Karen

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• Meditation

• Guided Imagery

• Autogenic Training (Self-Hypnosis)

• Biofeedback

• Breathing Exercises

• Journaling Techniques

• Self-Awareness Techniques

• Exercise, movement and dance as therapeutic tools

• To integrate the Mind-Body-Spirit Skills into your daily life

• To transform your illness or challenges into an opportunity for growth

GENERAL INFORMATION

Class: A one-day class introduction to mind, body, spirit skills. The dates for 2008 is September 26th. The classes will be held from 9:00am – 4:00pm.

Fee: This one day workshop is $40.00.

Location: Sunstone Healing Center, 2545 N. Woodland Road

Registration Information: For more information and to register please call Erin Blanchette at 749-1928 or call 694-1812.