Wandering through the public gardens at Lokhandwala Park in Mumbai, India, early in the morning, you might cross paths with a mirthful group of folks contorting their faces and laughing in unison. After 15 or 20 minutes of deep breathing and ho-ho-ha-has, followed by simulated laughter including hearty guffaws, quiet tee-hees, roaring lion laughter, silent laughter, and tittering cocktail laughter, the group disperses, beginning the day with a smile.
The more than 900 laugh clubs in India are the inspiration of Dr. Madan Kataria, who observed while working as a family physician that patients’ immune systems and general well-being improved following bouts of laughter. Kataria eventually left his medical practice and fine-tuned to a near-science his daily regimen of "thought-free" laughter, creating yoga laughter classes that have spread from India to the Far East, Europe, and North America.
Kataria’s methods have found a strong supporter in the United States. "I felt a great calling, a synchronicity with the information, and felt I needed to deliver this message," says Steve Wilson, a psychologist of 40 years who met Kataria and is now one of America’s leading "joyologists." Wilson has certified more than 100 laugh leaders–among them high school students and inmates at King County’s North Rehabilitation Facility. "I was astonished how much research had been already done that substantiated what I thought to be true," he says.
Within the burgeoning field of gelotology (from the Greek gelos, or "laughter"), the scientific study of laughter, an expanding body of research is being compiled. Over 500 academicians belong to the International Society for Humor Studies, and doctors, psychiatrists, and mental health professionals increasingly prescribe laughter therapy to help people cope with physical, mental, and spiritual issues.
20 Minutes of Dr Madan Kataria Laughter exercise is akin to 2 hours of brisk walking. If you are interested register here for free on Tuesday, 25 May 2010, 8 to 9 pm Geylang Serai Community Club. lst floor, Dance Studio. Laugther exercise is last Tuesday of the month.
Take a train to Paya Lebar MRT Station, walk 10 mins towards Lion City (behind is Haig Road), walk straight, you will see butterworth, then Ipon Lane and lastly Thiam Siew Avenue on the right of Haig Road, Geyland Serari Community Club is just on the left side of Thiam Siew Avenue.
I will be here. Come and join us and have a fun night laughter and sweating your way.
Cheers
OE Sylvia Ang
Thanks Sylvia for recommend this good free exercise, it is every last Tuesday of the month 8pm in this CC.
Hi Sylvia,
I enjoyed the last session. Please count me in also for the May session. Am hopeful that there will be more participants.
Cheers, Alice Seah
Hi Alice
I am glad that you enjoyed the last session. Look forward to seeing you again in may.
cheers
Sylvia
For those of you who came last month for the laugther exercise and enjoyed yourself very much. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow again.