Laughter Yoga For Cancer Patients

Things Cancer Patients Have Said

Dr. Michael B. Van Scoy-Morsher, an oncologist in California says that "one characteristic of the cancer patient who does well is the ability to often put cancer in the background for periods of time."

TV journalist Linda Ellerbee wrote about some of her cancer experiences "I think we are never braver than when we stand tall and look into the sun and laugh. Laughter may be a form of courage."

In his book "Intoxicated by My Illness," Anatole Broyard wrote about the final months of his life after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He stated that "Illness is primarily a drama, and it should be possible to enjoy it as well as to suffer it. . . . . Illness," after all, "is not all tragedy. Much of it is funny."

Cancer Research On Laughter

33 healthy adult women were randomized to view either a humorous video or a tourism video (distraction group). Stress decreased for subjects in the humor group compared with those in the distraction group (p < 0.005). Amount of mirthful laughter was highly correlated with decrease in stress for persons in the humor group (p < 0.005). Subjects who scored greater than 25 on the humor response scale had increased immune function post intervention (p< 0.05). Humor response scale scores correlated with changes in NK cell activity (p = 0. 001).

CONCLUSION: Laughter may reduce stress and improve NK cell activity. As low NK cell activity is linked to decreased disease resistance and increased morbidity in persons with cancer and HIV disease, laughter may be a useful cognitive-behavioral intervention.

Bennett MP, Zeller JM, Rosenberg L, McCann J. Altern Ther Health Med. 2003 Mar-Apr;9(2):38-45.

Hospitals have been using laughter for years (we just wish they were more of them)

Hospitals have been using laughter for years. It is widely accepted that laughter speeds healing and improves mental outlook in patients.

Laughter Yoga provides a laughter delivery system that does not require medical clowns, joke books, funny videos or a sense of humor. Patients find it very easy to laugh with Laughter Yoga.

Perhaps the strongest feedback has come from hospital staff. They are amazed at how laughter yoga sessions energize them and melt away stress, making it easier for them to cope with their jobs. They report that their happy positive attitude and high energy levels appear to rub off on patients also.

"Your body cannot heal without play. Your mind cannot heal without laughter. Your soul cannot heal without joy." -- Catherine Rippenger Fenwick

Laughter & Cancer In The News

It's no joke to doctors, staff and patients at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Laughter Yoga is a different approach to healing and stress management that anybody can do. And you don't have to have a sense of humor to do it -- or get the benefit.

Every Monday morning, you'll hear laughter in the halls of the cancer treatment center at Swedish Covenant.

"I truly felt kind of silly, but after doing it for a little while, it became fun," breast cancer patient Margaret Reid said.

Laughter Yoga class is a combination of stretching, breathing, clapping and laughing.

"It's really about laughing for no reason -- laughing to exercise,” instructor Timothy Nelson said. “They call it laughing, jogging for your insides." [read the full story]

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M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX)

M. D. Anderson Cancer Center's Chaplain Stephen Findley gives an explanation of Laughter Yoga and describes why it may beneficial for cancer patients. Click here to see the video.

Consider attending a training with us to deepen your understanding of Laughter Yoga and how it can help you and those you work with and care for. You'll be surprised at how many doors this will open for you. Here are a few things people have said after training with us:

Do you need an experienced speaker to present Laughter Yoga to your group / conference? Click here to read more.

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