THRIVE Monthly
August 2026
Simply Breathe
Welcome to August!
This month, we're celebrating an exciting milestone at Whole Health Oncology! We're proud to celebrate caring for our first 100 patients! While we're proud of that number, what means the most to us are the relationships we've built and the privilege of walking alongside each patient on their journey. Thank you for trusting us to be part of your care.
Our August wellness focus is Simply Breathe. Throughout the month, we'll be exploring simple breathing practices that can help calm the nervous system, ease stress, and support healing. Whether you're joining us for a class, trying breathwork for the first time, or taking a few intentional breaths at home, we hope you'll discover how powerful something so simple can be.
Inside this month's newsletter you'll find practical breathing tools, Dr. Bashir's thoughts on breathwork, this month's classes, and exciting updates from the THRIVE Wellness Program.
Thank you for being part of our community!
Celebrating caring for our first 100 patients!
How We Use Breathwork at Whole Health Oncology
At Whole Health Oncology, we incorporate guided breathwork as part of our whole-person approach to care. During in-office procedures such as biopsies, our THRIVE Program leader, Meg, offers bedside guided breathwork to help reduce pain and anxiety during the procedures.
Patients are also taught box breathing during their initial consultation, giving them a practical tool to manage stress and promote calm before surgery and throughout their treatment journey. We also offer one-on-one and group classes featuring breathwork alone or paired with restorative yoga.
The breath is very powerful. With slow, intentional breathing, you can connect your mind to your body, relax tense muscles, quiet the nervous system, and achieve a state of calm, even during moments of stress or discomfort.
The Power of Breathwork in Cancer Care
Your breath is one of the few functions of the body you can consciously control, and in doing so, you can influence your body's stress response.
Breathwork refers to intentional breathing practices, such as diaphragmatic breathing, pranayama (yogic breathing), and pursed-lip breathing, that use controlled patterns of inhalation and exhalation to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and support physical recovery.
Pranayama is a Sanskrit term in which prana means “life force” or “vital energy” and ayama means “to extend,” “expand,” or “regulate.” Together, the term describes the practice of consciously regulating the breath to cultivate and direct the body's vital energy. In many traditions, the breath is viewed as the bridge between the mind and body, making it a powerful tool for promoting calm, focus, and healing.
What Does the Evidence Say?*
A growing body of research supports breathwork as a beneficial complement to cancer treatment:
The Bottom Line
Breathwork is safe, simple, and free. Even 10–15 minutes a day can meaningfully improve quality of life during and after cancer treatment. Ask your Whole Health Oncology care team how to get started.
In Service,
Dr. Shazia Bashir
THRIVE Monthly Focus
Simply Breathe
Have you ever noticed that when you're feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious, your breathing changes too? The good news is that your breath can also become one of the simplest ways to help your body slow down, relax, and reset.
Throughout August, we'll be exploring gentle breathing practices together across all of our THRIVE classes. Whether you join us for Chair Yoga, Tea & Exhale, Sound Healing & Meditation, or our monthly Wellness Workshop, you'll have the opportunity to learn easy techniques that you can use anytime before an appointment, at home, or whenever you need a quiet moment.
Whether you've never tried breathwork before or you've practiced for years, you'll find a welcoming place to learn, relax, and explore with us.
Try Box Breathing
Looking for a simple way to feel more grounded during a stressful day? Try Box Breathing, a calming technique you can use almost anywhere.
✨ Hold for 4 counts
✨ Exhale for 4 counts
✨ Hold for 4 counts
Repeat 3–5 times, moving at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
We'll be practicing Box Breathing together in our August classes, so come give it a try!
THRIVE August Class Schedule
A Moment with Meg
Hi! I'm Meg.
When I joined Whole Health Oncology, I was excited to help build the THRIVE Program and create new ways to support our patients throughout their care. Getting to know so many of you has already been one of the most rewarding parts of my role, and I feel incredibly grateful to be part of your journey.
Whether you're joining us for a class, scheduling a Discovery Call, or simply stopping by to say hello, I hope you'll introduce yourself. I'd love the opportunity to get to know you, answer your questions, and help you find the classes, resources, and support that feel right for you.
I hope to see you soon!
With Gratitude,
Meg
THRIVE Program Director
On the Horizon
Coming Soon:
- A brand-new website with THRIVE resources
- Online registration for classes and workshops
- A growing library of at-home videos, including breathing exercises, gentle movement, meditation, and more
- Expanded offerings designed to support you before, during, and after treatment
More than Surviving… Thriving!
