Chris Van Schaack

For over two decades Chris Van Schaack has had a passion for creating healthy communities. His work focuses on providing training and technical assistance to enhance relationships between individuals, organizations and the natural world. Assisting nonprofits and government agencies Chris has developed and coordinated numerous community stewardship programs to improve communities and natural systems. Early on in his career he recognized a precursor to maintaining healthy ecosystems is healthy community members. Chris found laughter as a wellbeing practice four years ago and has been blending in the understandings of Non Violent Communication and Interpersonal Neurobiology. His program “Laughing to Thrive” is a simple and effective way to empower individuals to enhance their mind/body connections so as to have a greater capacity to be present, make life affirming choices both for themselves, and the world at large. Chris supports a wide range of clients including those struggling with physical and mental trauma.categories

About Laughing To Thrive
LAUGHING TO THRIVE is an awareness practice which relies on the creation and maintenance of a safe space for individuals to breath, laugh, play and sing. It is a simple and effective way to empower individuals to enhance their mind/body connections so as to have a greater capacity to be present, make life affirming choices both for themselves, and the world at large. The practice blends understandings of Non Violent Communication and Interpersonal Neurobiology. Chris supports a wide range of clients including those struggling with physical and mental trauma. The physical act of laughing strengthens our circulatory, respiratory, immune and endocrine systems. Practitioners experience a release in muscle tension, decreased pain and improved physical health. LAUGHING TO THRIVE focuses attention on engaging and integrating the mind to increase awareness and decrease anxiety.