New Ground.
This mindfulness offering is designed to support you in meeting the challenges of life after a cancer diagnosis with greater calm, resilience, and connection.
Whether you’re in treatment, recovering, or walking alongside a loved one, you’ll explore practical skills to steady the mind, care for the body, and live more fully in the present.
“When cancer suddenly tips your life upside down and you’re trying to right yourself, consider Jan’s mindfulness course. This companionable, beautifully led course teaches you how to be centred and calm, how to accept what is happening, and how to care for yourself. Without a doubt, this course aided my recovery.”
“I wanted to share some wonderful news—I had a recent scan, and the results were very positive. The mindfulness practices we’ve embraced have become central to supporting my health and ongoing recovery. During our recent holiday, we spent time meditating and consciously shifted our approach away from rushing around doing ‘stuff’. Thank you for your insights. Mindfulness has truly become an essential and valued part of our lives.”
At a Glance
New Ground draws on the internationally recognised Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) framework, developed by Dr. Linda Carlson and Dr. Michael Speca, and is offered here in Aotearoa New Zealand in an adaptable, supportive format.
Who it’s for:
People currently in treatment (if health allows)
People post-treatment — months or years later
Whānau or support people
What you’ll explore:
Mindfulness meditation practices to steady attention, ease reactivity and be present
Gentle mindful movement, adapted for all energy levels and physical needs
Tools for dealing with difficult emotions, thoughts and physical sensations
Ways to bring mindfulness into everyday life, even on challenging days
Benefits you may notice:
Reduced stress and worry
Greater emotional balance and self-compassion
Improved sleep and energy levels
Feeling more connected to yourself and others
Regaining trust in your body
Better overall health: helps lower blood pressure, balance stress hormones, and reduce inflammation
Greater post‑traumatic growth—finding meaning, new purpose, and appreciation following cancer
About your teacher
Hi, I’m Jan Haworth, a Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher, trained in Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR). I’ve taught mindfulness to hundreds of people across healthcare, community, and workplace settings, and I’m passionate about making these practices accessible, practical, and relevant.
I also bring a personal perspective — I was diagnosed with cancer 15 years ago, and mindfulness became an important part of my own journey to living well again.
In my experience, a cancer diagnosis can be a terrifying and also pivotal moment in life. It can crystalise what really matters to you, help you find clarity, meaning and purpose — and perhaps even a catalyst to living life in a new way.
About New Ground & MBCR
New Ground is inspired by the internationally recognised Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) programme developed by Dr Linda Carlson and Dr Michael Speca at the University of Calgary.
MBCR is an evidence-based group programme that combines mindfulness meditation, gentle movement, and supportive discussion to help people manage stress and improve quality of life during and after cancer treatment — for both those directly affected and their whānau or friends who support them.
MBCR was developed from the pioneering Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme created by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Refined for over two decades, MBCR has been carefully tailored for people affected by cancer, with research showing:
- Less stress and worry, with reduced anxiety, depression, and fatigue
- Better sleep and energy, supporting day-to-day recovery
- Greater balance and resilience, even in challenging times
- Improved overall wellbeing and quality of life
The MBCR framework includes guided practices, gentle movement options for all abilities, group reflection, and a full-day retreat — all designed to encourage home practice and support long-term wellbeing.
The overall aim of the MBCR approach is to help people not just cope with cancer, but to live well – and thrive – after a diagnosis.
Who New Ground is for
New Ground welcomes anyone affected by cancer:
- People currently in treatment who feel well enough to attend and participate
- People post-treatment, whether recent or many years later
- Whānau or friends supporting someone with cancer
If you’re unsure about timing — especially if you’re in active treatment — please feel free to get in touch to talk through whether now is the right time for you.
What you can expect from New Ground
Offerings may include:
- Guided mindfulness practices (sitting, lying down, gentle movement)
- Opportunities to reflect and share experiences in a supportive group
- Practical ways to integrate mindfulness into everyday life
Register Your Interest
New Ground is growing into a space of mindful support for people living with and beyond cancer, and those walking alongside them. If you’d like to stay updated about upcoming sessions, workshops, or future offerings, you’re warmly invited to join the list below.
There’s no commitment — this simply helps me understand what support might be most helpful, and ensures you hear about new opportunities as they develop.
FAQs
Can I attend during treatment?
Is mindfulness the same as meditation?
Mindfulness is a way of paying attention that allows us to be present with our experiences, without striving or feeling like we have to change them. Meditation forms part of your mindfulness toolkit and is one way of familiarising and cultivating this type of awareness. The guided ‘home practices’ that you will become familiar with are exercises designed to develop an attentive, open, curious and compassionate attitude to your thoughts and experiences.
Do I need meditation experience?
What if I can’t make a session or workshop?
Life can be unpredictable. If you miss something, feel free to get in touch — I can help you catch up or share resources so you don’t feel left behind.
Is it physically demanding?
No. Any movement is gentle, and you’re encouraged to adapt or rest as needed.
Are there sessions running right now?
Offerings for New Ground are currently being developed. If you’d like to stay updated or let me know what support would be most helpful for you, you’re warmly invited to register your interest.
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What's coming up?
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Sustainability statement
We believe personal wellbeing and thriving communities are deeply connected to the health of the planet. For each course we run, we plant native trees in partnership with Trees that Count - helping to restore our forests. Together, let's cultivate mindfulness and a greener future.
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