Laughter Liberaates

[Guest guest]

I cannot tell you the number of times this "laughter thing" has liberated me. All you have to do is have a 'goofy' friend such as Lawrence, get you on the phone and start telling her jokes, or making them up as she goes along. Before you know it your jaws are hurting so badly, you have forgotten every thing else of importance, and simply begging her to "hush", while you regain your composure. Before that can happen, she off on some other humorous issue, and your jaws are still sore the folloing morning. After, all that, you temporarilly forgot was on your mind that was draggin' you down to the depths of depair, etc.

YES, We Need More Laughter! Less "social groups", like in HS!!!

Love & Laughter to all,

Martha M. / NSIF

OCTOBER 13, 15:01 EDT

Therapist Says Laughter Liberates By DAVID B. CARUSO Associated Press Writer

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) — With the nation unnerved by terrorist attacks, it's a tough time to be in the laughter business.

But Steve is undeterred.

The 60-year-old laughter-therapy teacher is convinced you can chuckle your way to a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure and better mental health. He even believes that laughter may be the key to world peace.

``Laughter in the face of tragedy can be tough, but it can be liberating,'' said , a retired clinical psychologist. ``Humor and laughter represent hope. They represent relief. And ultimately, they are going to represent victory.''

About 21 people signed up for 's two-day ``World Laughter Tour'' seminar at Lehigh University, where attendees paid up to $250 apiece to learn the finer points of Hasya Yoga, a kind of laughter aerobics. Training also included lectures on the types of healthy laughter and what might aid people in pain.

Saturday's sessions at Lehigh were typical: Facing each other and moving around the room, participants laughed vigorously in spurts for about 20 minutes, switching often between different types of laughter — from low chuckles to jubilant guffaws.

Attendees included nurses, teachers and physical therapists.

``So far I'm impressed. This has been a lot of fun,'' said Thekla , a coordinator for the older Americans' advocacy organization AARP.

At the end of the two-day session, participants are able to form and lead their own laughter clubs — something has been doing since 1997.

Laughter clubs got their start in India. In the mid-1990s, Bombay physician Madan Kataria became convinced that regular, vigorous laughter can lead to better health. He urged sick patients to laugh for at least 10 minutes every day. Hundreds of laughter clubs meet daily now in India for boisterous group sessions following Kataria's guidelines.

The practice has developed a foothold in Europe and the United States, with clubs in several states, including 's hometown, Columbus, Ohio.

With the national mood shaken by terrorism, Saturday's crowd was slightly smaller than usual, said. Classes usually involve about 30 participants, and holds six sessions a year in addition to visiting existing clubs.

Followers claim the sessions leave them feeling energized, calm, more optimistic and better connected.

``People want a break,'' said. ``It is not psychologically economical to constantly dwell on a problem all the time.''

But scientists disagree on the extent of laughter's benefits.

Dr. Rod , a psychology professor at the University of Western Ontario who has studied laughter research, said few significant scientific studies have linked good humor to better overall health.

``I'm skeptical of the whole thing, to be honest,'' said. ``I'm all for laughter ... but there isn't a whole lot of scientific evidence to justify the claims they are making.''

said laughter therapy isn't for everyone.

His Web site warns that women with complicated pregnancies should avoid rigorous laughter sessions, as should people recovering from surgery.

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On the Net:

Laughter clubs information, http://www.worldlaughtertour.com

International Society for Humor Studies, http://www.uniduesseldorf.de/WWW/MathNat/Ruch/humor.html