Laughter Redeux: Learning to Laugh -- it CAN Be Taught!

Modern science is finally picking up on the fact that laughter has a slew of healthy and holistic benefits: laughter releases endorphins -- the body's "feel good" chemicals -- giving us a natural high, and it also reduces the stress hormone cortisol. In addition the body's immune system is boosted by up to an amazing 40% after a good bout of laughter. The immune system helps to fight disease and keeps us fit and healthy -- but laughter is also proving to be one of the best aphrodisiacs there is!

According to www.hotornot.com, men and women who can not only laugh at jokes, tell an occasional joke and especially laugh at themselves rank high what people find incredibly sexy. To this end, self-proclaimed "laughter leader and happiness coach" Julie Whitehead (www.laughteryoga.co.uk) offers "laughing sessions." Situated in London (but soon to come to the US) and geared towards individuals, couples and even corporate leaders, these sessions help to break down inhibitions and boost self confidence and most of all - enjoy a good laugh. Whitehead refers to laughter not only as a "social glue" that binds people together, but feels "...once you have shared a deep, belly laugh with someone, eyes meeting, tears streaming down your face, you have connected at a very deep level indeed...!"

Sounds silly? Well, here's a statistic that's no laughing matter: according to www.laughteryoga.co.uk, children laugh 300- 400 times a day and the average adult a mere 12 -15. What the heck happened in our lives over time that we lost so much of our sense of humor?

Julie's laughter classes focus on three areas, and not one of them has to do with cracking a joke:

1. Be willing to laugh

2. Make eye contact

3. Fake it, fake it till you make it.

According to www.laughternetwork.co.uk, each session starts with students chanting Ho, ho, ha, ha, ha as they walk around the room, clapping hands to this rhythm and looking people in the eye. Then the students launch into the first laughter exercise, entitled "Greeting Laughter" which has individuals shake hands with each other, look them in the eye and LAUGH. Then double greeting -- when both hands are shaken, followed by Milkshake Laughter, when the participants pretend to pour milk from one glass to another, throw back their head and laugh heartily as they drink their milkshake.

Www.jesthealth.com says these are all playful laughs and there are dozens of them, but there are others with a more serious message - Value Based Laughs such as Appreciation Laugh and Laugh at Yourself laugh teach us not to take ourselves too seriously and is the Key to a Happy Life. Julie feels that if you can laugh at yourself then you cannot be hurt by anyone else laughing at you.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

As the class progresses, Julie gets her students to Gibberish to each other - a childlike language of gobbledygook nonsense. The hope is that by this time, all resistance to laughter had faded away. Laughter sessions end with Laughter meditation when the body is relaxed and the mind is free of thoughts, laughter is encouraged to flow spontaneously. Because laughter is contagious this is a deeply moving experience and is followed by a wonderful relaxation to bring the class "back to earth".

By Julie's own admission, students will leave the laughter session feeling lighter, happier, more positive and confident. Similar to sex in many ways, other peripheral benefits of laughter include stimulated circulation and respiratory systems, a good workout for your abs, a flush comes to your face and the heart begins to beat faster. A hearty laugh also tends to bring a little twinkle in the eye which is so attractive to the opposite sex.

And now the nitty-gritty: laughter sessions run two days and cost anywhere from £180.00 to £250.00 (USD $270.00 - $350.00) ". Check out Julie's website -- www.laughteryoga.co.uk -- for more details.

Which brings me back to my original point: What do you think is the biggest aphrodisiac and overall turn-on? Low-cut negligee? Give me a break. Silk stockings? Is that the best you can do? Push-up braw with little propellers on the nipples? Forget about it baby -- you want sexy? Show me a man or woman with a sense of humor and I'll show you an individual who is never at a loss for companionship!