I’m not known for not being open minded so it was a surprise to me when I hesitated at WHIS Laughter Yoga. After challenging Gareth about why WHIS needs to be careful about endorsing new therapies I challenged myself about why I was being so sceptical .

Reflecting on the people I know who I enjoy being around it is the people who laugh. My daughter has a wicked laugh – its deep and comes from an ability to find the fun in even the most difficult situations. Her laugh is infectious, full and loud. It is impossible not to laugh – even if you walk into the room and have no idea why she is laughing everyone just joins in and starts to laugh too. She is a magnet. Her teachers at school although infuriated daily by her anachronistic approach to education and would frequently hand out punishments and detentions couln’t help but laugh. She even got away with calling one an Uumphalumpha – her teacher burst out laughing!  She has had some physical and mentally challenging jobs – and where many would have cracked, she laughs her way through and brings others with her. A close friend is the happiest person I know – she laughs and smiles almost constantly – and is interested in everything and everyone and laughs almost constantly in conversation no matter how serious or minor the topic. Nothing seems quite as bad.  She loves and lives life. An elderly aunt and uncle in their 90’s were adored by us a children because we were always laughing when they visited. They continue to be very present and are as mentally sharp and physically active as they were when we were children.  I was watching the Two Ronnies on a Facebook post this morning and found myself laughing out loud by myself ( for those who have not seen it take a look on YouTube – and try not to laugh). A good start to the day and brought back good childhood memories of winter evenings with my family watching our favourite TV programme.

So why the problem with Laughter Yoga? Perhaps it’s the labelling. Perhaps it’s the recognition that for many of us that life is such that we need to “prescribe” laughter and attend classes to remember how to laugh. Where our social, community and family networks would have helped us through physical and mental lows in the past – we live more isolated, transient and stressful lives that often overwhelm – and forget to laugh. If Laughter Yoga is the contemporary solution to increasing isolation and helps us get through our days, weeks and lives in good mental and physical health then I’m all for it. I personally will continue to seek out and protect time to practice laughter with my daughter as she is good for the soul

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