The University Fitness Center at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine offers a special yoga and meditation class to help improve symptoms of anxiety. People with a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder and who are under the care of a physician or counselor are welcome to join the class.
The program meets in eight weekly classes; sessions run on regular intervals throughout the year. This is a calming mind-body approach to learning relaxation skills for a lifetime. Each class will include breathing techniques, yoga exercises, deep relaxation and meditation. No experience is necessary.
The benefits of the "Easing Anxiety with Yoga" approach:
- Balance the sympathetic-parasympathetic nervous systems
- Increase vagal tone
- Improve inhibitory neurotransmitter levels (GABA)
- Gain skill for self-regulation
- Improvements in physical tension, mood, sleep and self-efficacy
The current class session runs Sept. 8 to Oct. 27 on Thursdays, 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. Cost is $135 if paid in advance, $140 the day of. Program instructor is Dan Coma.
A referral from a medical care provider is required to participate. For more information about the program or referral process, contact Deborah Tregea, program coordinator, at 717-531-7076.