I have heard so much about this infectious form of therapy spreading from India to the rest of the world that I had to experience it myself when it came to my part of the world. Unlike H1N1 which WHO has said is unstoppable and yet is trying to stop it (by isolating every visitor with even a hint of fever) this laughter therapy is welcome anywhere in the world. I have viewed it on youtube and all I can say is - It's CRAZY! What self respecting person would be caught laughing out loud in public with eyes open wide and tongues sticking out at another person? However being name laughing yoga in India , laughing qigong in China and laughter therapy elsewhere does make it sound respectable... I think. So I decide to do something crazy in the name of health- attend laughter therapy in a park.
It was a wet but cooler Sunday evening when I arrived at the park. I forgot to change my formal leather shoes to jogging shoes and that meant exposing my Rm.250 shoes to mud and what not. We had to use umbrellas as it was still drizzling which was fine with me as I could hide my face from what I heard was a local newspaper reporter with a bazooka for a camera in our midst.I certainly did not want my face in the news with tongues sticking out and laughing like crazy. I mean there are better ways of getting famous like being in the obituary. I did bring a cap and false mustache just in case.
However I need not worry as it turn out that there were also about 100 crazy guys like me willing to laugh in the rain. There is some truth in the saying that 'there is comfort in the company of fools'.
We found an open space next to a nearby hospital (SJMC) and the laugh leader said this will bring cheer to the doctors and patients when they hear our laughter. I was a little bit sceptical about that prognosis maybe we will be mistaken as patients from the psychiatric department having a day out at the park. I am a little self conscious but really its not everyday we do this.
Forming a circle our esteem laugh leader explained the scientific rationale of laugh therapy and it's origin. Laughter not only boost our oxygen level but releases good hormones like endorphin and others that keeps us healthy and stress free. The only warning is if you have a serious heart condition you may laugh yourself to death. Wow! that was reassuring. We had a some warm up because laughing without it can cause belly cramps and lock jaws. Wow! that was reassuring. I should note that before I burst out laughing the next time.
Forming a circle we were taught how to laugh and look silly. There were several techniques. We learn the lion laughter even though I can't recall hearing lions laugh before. We widen our eyes, stuck out our tongues and held our hands out like claws and laughed. Try doing that and you will understand when I say I never realise laughing is hard work. We did the 'teh tarik' laughter that is an imaginary tea making process which I enjoyed and ended up with appreciation laughter to God, self and each other. I though that was good. How often have we stumbled trying to sound appreciative like ' I like your funny dress' instead we can just say I ho,ho,ha,ha you' while smiling and giving them the thumbs up, shaking hands or hugging. With all the merriment I forgot all about H1N1 and avoiding close contacts. Well, laughing therapy is suppose to be healthy so what!
Isaac Lim
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