Laughter Yoga is serious business

A SERIOUSLY new form of emotional therapy has emerged to tickle the fancy of miserable people everywhere.

Some are already laughing their way to health and happiness through the treatment called Laughter Yoga. Those who devised it are, of course, laughing all the way to the bank.

Introduced to Ireland by Castlebar-based therapist Mary Mitchell, Laughter Yoga is a blend of yogic deep breathing, stretching, stimulated laughter exercises and cultivated child-like playfulness.

According to its advocates, the health benefits of Laughter Yoga include aerobic exercise, natural pain relief, improved breathing and a strengthened immune system. They also claim it can help overcome depression.

“Laughter Yoga is often called internal jogging. It provides a good massage to all internal organs, enhancing their blood supply and increasing efficiency,” said Ms Mitchell.

“It has been compared to magic fingers which reach into the interiors of the abdomen and massage your organs.”

Laughter Yoga has been used successfully in the corporate world to increase creativity and as an anti-stress therapy.

It was devised by Dr Madan Kataria, an Indian doctor who got the idea of starting a laughter club while writing a magazine article on the theme Laughter is the Best Medicine.

To date, several Laughter Parties have taken place in Mayo and Donegal.

Classes are non-profit with attendees charged a nominal amount to cover charges.

A laughter yoga weekend is planned for June 28-29 in Lough Lanna Village in Castlebar after which attendees can become teachers and hold their own classes.

Even if you don’t feel like laughing, you can still benefit, according to Ms Mitchell.

“Medical research shows that even if you pretend to laugh or act happy your body produces happiness chemicals. If you put your body into an act of happiness, you mind will follow,” she said.

Anyone interested in attending a class can contact Mary Mitchell on lo-call 1890 946466.