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|| High Country Press Newswire

June 5, 2008 issue

A Healthy Dose of Good Humor

Laughter Yoga Class Tuesday, June 10

Story by Garrett Simmons Jia Wildwyn will teach Boone’s first Laughter Yoga class at the Watauga County Public Library on Tuesday, June 10. During the class, she will explain the history of Laughter Yoga and teach visitors about its numerous health benefits.

It’s no secret that laughter is the body’s natural stress buster, but a growing number of people are discovering its profound impact on general health and well being. Recent research suggests there may be more truth to the old adage about laughter being the best medicine than originally thought.

Jia Wildwyn, a healing arts practitioner and certified laughter yoga teacher, will teach an introductory Laughter Yoga class at the Watauga County Public Library on Tuesday, June 10 at 6:30 p.m. “It will be an introductory class,” said Wildwyn, “designed to inform people of the history and extensive benefits of Laughter Yoga.”

Laughter Yoga reached the United States in its present form in 1995, when Dr. Mandan Katoria, an Indian doctor convinced of the medical benefits of laughing and yoga breathing exercises, combined the two to create what is becoming a widely popular practice. Wildwyn recently trained under Katoria in California.

“Laughter has been used in various forms for more than 4,000 years,” said Wildwyn. “Dr. Katoria’s method combines deep breathing, gentle stretching, laughing and relaxation. The combination is especially necessary in today’s modern world.” Wildwyn said the benefits of a Laughter Yoga session, which include reduced stress, pain management, increased focus and heightened self-awareness, make sense given the low amount of laughter most people experience on a daily basis.

“We typically inhale only 25 percent of our lungs’ capacity, meaning our bodies aren’t getting the amount of fresh oxygen they need to be healthy,” said Wildwyn. “Good, hearty laughter expels the stale air from our lungs and fills them with fresh air, and can work all eight major muscle groups. Studies have shown that laughing for 1 minute is equivalent to jogging for 10 minutes. And laughing for 15 to 20 minutes is equivalent to a full-length workout.”

A 2005 study at the University of Maryland suggested laughter might even improve the functioning of blood vessels. The study report stated, “Laughter appears to cause the tissue that forms the inner lining of blood vessels to dilate and expand to increase blood flow.” The study found mental stress to cause the opposite, reducing blood flow by narrowing blood vessels.

Wildwyn, whose 38 years of healing arts practice include working with Reiki, quantum touch, and reflexology techniques, said unlike other healing arts practiced today, Laughter Yoga is unique for its ability to strengthen community bonds. “It’s one of the original uses of laughter,” she explained. “When people let their guards down and allow themselves to be vulnerable in front of each other by laughing, it links them in a way unlike any other.”

For this reason, Laughter Yoga has been used in small businesses and large corporations alike, as well as prisons, police and fire departments and, perhaps most notably, in schools. “Teachers have had great success using Laughter Yoga in the classroom,” said Wildwyn. “Students are more able to focus, they develop a healthy level of self-esteem, and there are fewer conflicts in the classroom.”

During Wildwyn’s introductory session on June 10, participants will laugh without any joke, humor or kidding of any kind. “Our bodies do not differentiate between genuine and induced laughter,” she said. “But laughter exercises almost always lead to real laughter, especially in group settings.”

Wildwyn said new Laughter Yoga groups and studios are developing every day in other parts of the country, but to her knowledge the session at the public library will be the first one of its kind in Boone. She hopes it will catch on once people experience the benefits of the exercise. “It’s a very fun, very beneficial class that helps build our community,” she said. Wildwyn hopes to train others to teach Laughter Yoga in businesses, schools and other team scenarios.

For more info, call Jia Wildwyn at 828-297-5658, or call the Watauga County Public Library at 828-264-8784.