THE POWER OF PLAY IN HEALING
Probably the most well-documented research on the benefits of laughter has emerged from the health care field. Rahla Kahn was inspired and encouraged by Norman Cousins' breakthrough book [Anatomy of Illness] got America's attention with his incredible revelation that laughing at Marx Brothers' films was the key ingredient in his recovery from a debilitating illness.

The POWER OF PLAY was originally conceived as a recovery and wellness model. It was birthed at Step Up On Second, a walk-in activity center for the mentally ill and the homeless in Los Angeles. It was there that Rahla, convinced of the therapeutic benefits of play, hammed it up with people who had plenty of reasons to despair. She delivered workshops to a packed facility and brought tears to the eyes of a visiting Times reporter.

Since those early days, The POWER OF PLAY has amassed a loyal following in the health care profession-such as The Wellness Community in Santa Monica; the Gladys Taylor McGarey Medical Foundation in Arizona; San Diego State University Department of Counseling & School Psychology; the Arizona kidney Foundation; a variety of health care professionals in private practice; and many individuals challenged with cancer and AIDS.

The POWER OF PLAY is not just for patients. Health care professionals themselves have requested Rahla's services to help them "lighten up" from the unrelenting stress and challenges that so often accompany their work. In the words of a teaching professional, "Your playshop gave us the opportunity to laugh at ourselves and be reminded that although our work is very important and should be taken seriously, we need not take ourselves so seriously."

See what other professionals in the field of health care have to say about the benefits and changes they witnessed and experienced as a result of The POWER OF PLAY.