Walk Across Arizona celebrates with laughter

Special to Green Valley News

Tucson certified personal trainer Patti Wheatley will be teaching about the healing qualities of laughter at the Walk Across Arizona Celebration at 2 p.m. March 11, at the East Center, 7 S. Abrego.

After a drunk driver left Wheatley unable to continue her personal training career, she learned Laughter Yoga as a pain and stress management tool. She has experienced first hand the healing power of laughter, she says.

Wheatley has trained with the founder of the Laughter Yoga movement, Dr. Madan Kataria. Now Patti teaches laughter classes and lectures about using laughter as an innovative stress management tool or creative health and fitness option.

The Promoting a Health Lifestyle subcommittee of the Health & Human Services Committee of the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council just completed the sixth year of the 16-week Walk Across Arizona program.

During the 2006-2007 Pima County campaign, 90 teams of up to 10 members each, representing the Greater Green Valley area, Tucson and Phelps Dodge Sierrita Inc. walked a more than 222,000 miles.

The program ended Feb. 24, and team captains are still entering and updating the miles walked by team members.

The Greater Green Valley area had the largest representation with 74 percent of the Pima County teams, including 50 teams from Phelps Dodge Sierrita Inc.

In addition to the presentation on Laughter Yoga, participants will be informed of the correct shoes to purchase for their daily activities with information provided by Sid Hirsh with Hirsh's Shoes in Tucson. Hirsh is an avid hiker with the Southern Arizona Hiking Club and will provide first hand information based upon his physical activity record and experience in the retail business.

Additional activities for the celebration will include the sharing of success stories, awards, recognition for participants and door prizes. Refreshments will be provided by Green Valley Recreation, Inc.

Participants who complete their mileage reports and wrap-up forms will be given a T-shirt and other promotional items for their participation in the 16-week program.

More information about Walk Across Arizona is available at: http://cals.arizona.edu/ walkacrossaz or by calling Linda Block at 626-5161 or Cassie Burruel at 648-0808.