LaffyKathy

New cancer center yoga class promotes healing through laughter

 

There is more than one way to reduce stress and stimulate the body’s immune system. That’s why the UW Cancer Center at ProHealth Care continues to explore new therapeutic approaches to help cancer patients activate healing.

 

Last week the Cancer Center offered a free laughter yoga class as part of its community education offerings. The class was led by Kathleen Phelan, MD, a family physician with ProHealth Medical Group who also is a certified laughter yoga instructor.

 

Laughter yoga is a voluntary laughing technique that combines the deep breathing exercises of yoga with laughter. It is a practice that is growing in popularity.

 

“Laughter yoga may be playful, but it can have a seriously positive effect on the core and chest muscles and mood,” said Sloan Maes, director of oncology services. “By deliberately laughing, clapping and performing certain movements, your body becomes energized and your brain receives the positive signals that you also get from spontaneous laughter.”

 

Maes and other leaders at the UW Cancer Center at ProHealth Care are always on the lookout for high-quality programming to help patients and community members navigate illness in the best way possible. More than a dozen community education programs are available at the cancer center through January 2018.

 

For information and registration for these and other programs, visit ProHealthCare.org/Classes.