In our fast-paced modern lives, finding methods to unwind can be challenging. Laughter Yoga, pioneered globally and embraced locally, offers a refreshing alternative. I'm here with Maggie Thompson in Stourbridge to learn more about this joyful practice and give it a go myself.
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00:00So, Richard, the first exercise we're going to do is the milkshake one, which is a lot
00:05of fun. It's a very playful exercise to do.
00:08Following the milkshake, Maggie introduced me to the traffic lights, a practical technique
00:12to help ease an everyday frustration. It's an accessible form of yoga, perhaps unusual
00:18to some.
00:20Laughter yoga is an exercise. It is a physical exercise, where we laugh unconditionally.
00:28We don't use humour, jokes or comedy. It's something that comes from the heart and it's
00:34taking us to being like children again, so it's very childlike, a joyfulness that we
00:40participate in.
00:41It didn't take long for me to lose my inhibitions and fully embrace the session. On top of this,
00:47Maggie explained how it also offers various health benefits.
00:52The deep yogic breathing helps you to get rid, when you're breathing out, when you're
00:57laughing, that helps you to get rid of stale air that's in your lungs, so it prevents you
01:02from getting any illnesses. As I said before, it's a great connector. It's a lot of fun.
01:08And another very important thing, because you need to do it regularly to get the full
01:13benefits.
01:14Laughter yoga has gained popularity across the West Midlands. It's accessible for people
01:19of all ages and backgrounds, making it a favourite for so many.
01:24Well, it's anybody and everybody. I've done laughter yoga with rainbows, right up to people
01:30in their nineties at WI's. Yesterday I was doing a session at a business meeting. I have
01:38a regular club session in Wordsley and in Malvern. I do online, so it's anybody and
01:45everybody.
01:46I will say this, that it doesn't suit everybody. Some people find it's too far out of their
01:51comfort zone and it doesn't appeal to them. But those it does speak to, I mean, it can
01:57be life-changing, it really can.