LAUGHTER FITNESS with Natalie
Tuesday 11am – 12pm
March 14th, 21st, 28th
Cost $3
Bring a water bottle
St.Pauls Church
High St
Frankston
Mind Body Wellness
Gentle stretching, movement and relaxation
Fun for all
Laughter fitness with Natalie has launched in Frankston. Natalie was trained in 2014 for Dr Madan Kataria Laughter yoga. The current Laughter Fitness program has been developed from science-based research and experience working with community trauma groups, disability groups and clients, aged care facilities and community club volunteer leader for 7 years.
The 45-minute sessions are designed to enhance the mind and body’s well-being. It is suitable for all ages and abilities, adapting exercises to what you can do. It is gentle stretching, deep breathing, laughing with movement, sometimes singing and relaxation activities. The research information is shared with participants during sessions. The options for laughter exercises are endless and can be continually added to. Learning to laugh unconditionally provides a way of coping; it can build a positive attitude, and strong and resilient individuals, and communities.
Dr William F. Fry in the late 1960s studied the physiological effects of laughter. The results showed endorphins are released whether fake or real laughter occurs.
The fake or real laughter signals the brain to release chemicals related to the action you are doing. If you fake laugh using your belly, diaphragm, and smiling eyes, make the sound Hahahaha, the brain says “I’m laughing”, releasing endorphins. The amount of time we laugh can achieve an optimum endorphin release with multiple results, one being pain receptors blocked by endorphin chemicals for up to 2 hours with 20 to 30 minutes of Laughing. Additionally, a belly laugh with the diaphragm sends a message to the brain of being relaxed. When relaxed we activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the opposite of the stress-arousal sympathetic system.
The inclusion of deep breathing is to maximise the amount of oxygen in the lungs and bloodstream for cell health, based on research by Dr Otto Warburg, President of the Institute of Cell Physiology and 1931 Nobel prize winner.
Psychologist William James in 1884 found body behaviour mirrors the state of mind. What we do affects how we feel, head down indicates to the brain feeling down, and head up indicates the brain feeling good.
Laughter fitness provides the missing factor from exercise FUN with benefits.
Laughter sessions are an aerobic workout and participants with such issues as Hernia, stitches, Epilepsy, Heart disease and the last trimester of pregnancy should consult their doctor to approve participation, as is advised before starting any exercise program.
Feature Image by alvarez
