7 Healthcast: Laughing yoga

There is no shortage of laughter, smiles and fun in one yoga class.

It's called laughing yoga, and it's one of the many classes available as part of the Happy Hearts Program developed by Mass. General.

Dr. Malissa Wood, MGH Women's Heart Health Program Director
"The goal of the program was to bring better health to the women who live in the communities so so they don't have to come all the way into Boston."

The program, which is offered in several communities outside of Boston, teaches women to eat healthier, exercise more and take better care of themselves.

Dr. Malissa Wood, MGH Women's Heart Health Program Director
"There's a lot of literature that suggests that depression, anxiety and stress contribute to heart risk factors, just as blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. So, what we're trying to do is really modify all of those potential risk factors."

And it looks like it's working!

Jean Halpin, Happy Heart participant
"I just went to my doctor. I got good news. She said all my pressures are down and I lost 12 pounds since I saw her in November."

Women in the program range in age from 40- to 60-years-old, and all share one common health concern.

Dr. Malissa Wood, MGH Women's Heart Health Program Director
"All of them are at risk for heart disease. I think that's something that initially was very scary for them, but when they realized they actually have control over something, then that's made a huge difference."

The women meet three times a month. They have individual sessions with a health coach and also take different classes like tai chi, zumba and yoga. The participants says not only are they feeling better, they are living better.

Angela Bouteldja, Happy Heart Participant
"Having these women here that we can come to once a week, we can share things, were not alone, and we learn to enjoy life and to take charge of our life, and laugh and live."

Related link: 2010 7NEWS Partners HealthCare Health & Fitness Expo

(Copyright (c) 2010 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)