Laugh Your Way To Better Health
Ann Lauricello
Issue date: 4/3/07 Section: Entertainment
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"No more road rage. I sleep better at night. I wake up cheerful, ready to go to work, and I'm happy when I get off work. I'm a much happier person and it's thanks to laughter yoga," said Kris Ratekin after a 45-minute session of one of the most unique forms of yoga to come out of India.
With over 250,000 members globally and 5,000 clubs, the phenomenon of laughing your way to better health is quickly spreading across Colorado.
Carol Saloranta, a local social worker and laughter yoga instructor, has plans to teach the yoga when she moves to Africa.
"People are taking it to jails, they're taking it to nursing home, Alzheimer's units. It's just all over," she said.
In addition to promoting a happier bunch of participants, many also believe they're healthier because of the experience.
"Laughter, in fact, does boost our immune system and does a lot for our whole physical well-being to promote healing," said Boulder Laughter Works instructor Ellen Brown.
Brown believes that laughter, real or forced, not only promotes healing, but the ability to laugh at the seriousness of everyday life. Exercises such as laughing at the unzipped zipper or running through the airport while laughing, are practiced to take the edge off these tense situations.
Registered nurse Virginia Taylor emphasized the importance of bringing a chuckle into your life.
"Laughter is good. It's good for the body, and it's good for the soul," Taylor said.
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