Laughter Yoga is about to celebrate its 27th birthday. It was developed in India in 1995 by Dr Madan Kataria. See him tell the story of Laughter Yoga’s development here. These days, there are more than 20,000 Laughter Yoga Clubs (just like Beaudesert’s Community Free & Fun Laughter Club) operating in more than 110 countries.
In 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I thought about how the Corona Virus was impacting my local community and began searching for some way I could help to relieve some of the stress, the worry, the anxiety and fear that this wretched virus was spreading – faster and thicker than I’ve seen jam and cream spread on a freshly made scone.
With 30 years of teaching and three post-graduate degrees behind me, I knew that somehow I would learn something to benefit to people of all ages now and well into the future.
First, I completed a Diploma of Journal Therapy (because I love to write) and then a Life Coaching Diploma. Next, I completed a Certificate of Holistic Counselling & Holistic Life Coaching and a Certificate of Meditation Teaching & Holistic Human Development. These are all relevant qualifications for today’s world, and it was very satisfying when I completed each one.
However, I’m sure you’ve also had that ‘moment’ – the personal experience that is both mind blowing and life changing. Well, discovering Laughter Yoga was my ‘moment’. It ticked every box on my list and, importantly, it’s fun! And when I completed the Certified Laughter Yoga Leader training I was rearing to go.
So, back in September, the Beaudesert Community Free & Fun Laughter Club was up and running. Held at 9:00am Sunday mornings in Jubilee Park, it’s been part of the Scenic Rim Regional Council’s ‘Be Healthy & Active’ program since 2020.
