Melanie Riley
THEY say laughter is the best medicine, and a new program at Mount Gambier Library will be putting that to the test.
Frances Porter is new to Mount Gambier/Berrin and is offering Laughter in the Library, a program of laughter yoga currently being held at the Mount Gambier Library.
Ms Porter has spent her lifetime in the mind-body and wellness industry and was excited to bring laughter yoga to the region.
“I wanted to share this unique gift of connection and laughter with my new community,” she said.
Laughter yoga can have many emotional, mental, physical and social health benefits, and can even assist with pain management and Ms Porter said everyone will have a different experience.
“The outcomes of a session are as varied as the individuals that attend,” Ms Porter said.
“Different participant feedback indicates improvement in mood, improved breathing, less stress or anxiety and even improved sleep.”
Laughter yoga is an exercise routine, combining laughter with yogic breathing, created by Dr Madan Kataria in the mid 1990s.
As the brain and body can’t tell the difference between spontaneous laughter and a laughter exercise consciously activated by somebody, the body responds the same.
The laughter during yoga causes the body to release happy hormones, dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins.
There are several other positive effects laughter yoga can have on the body and mind, including increased energy, less brain fog, reduced stress, improved mood, reduces depression symptoms, strengthens immune system, increase pain threshold and increase social bonding.
Ms Porter has enjoyed holding the sessions in the library and seeing the effect on participants.
“I love to see the camaraderie and social engagement that unfolds as we move about and engage in the laughter exercises,” she said.
The sessions are every Tuesday, from 11.15-12 pm and bookings can be made through the library.
