'Yoga laughter' is best medicine
LAUGHTER echoed through the Ipswich Health Plaza yesterday, as 12 volunteers de-stressed by giggling and playing games.
Laughter Yoga leader Lyn Burrows used her infectious brand of physical comedy to help volunteers relax and focus.
She engaged the volunteers in an hour of non-stop laughter, with giggles flowing throughout mime sessions, exercises and joke-telling.
West Moreton Health Service District Family Support Service volunteer Roslyn Radford said she had no problem getting into the outgoing spirit of the day.
"Once you start laughing you just can't stop, when Lyn asked us to think about something sad I just couldn't," Ms Radford said.
"It's been great, just to know you're appreciated as a volunteer makes you feel wonderful."
Family Support Service co-ordinator Robyn Cleg said the dozen ladies who participated had really enjoyed themselves.
"These women certainly deserve to be acknowledged and, because they deal with a lot of stress, it's good to be able to relax like this," Ms Cleg said.
She said the West Moreton Family Support Service hosted the laughter session to celebrate volunteers during National Volunteer Week.
Many of the women volunteer in the West Moreton Family Support Service, and some are members of the St Vincent de Paul Family Support Service.
A few of them said they would consider using some of the laughter yoga methods to help their clients de-stress.
"The volunteers spend one to two hours a week with each family, and look after up to four families each," Ms Cleg said.
FUN FACTS
Laughter yoga relieves stress, according to leader Lyn Burrows
Breathing exercises strengthen the immune system
It's practised in 70 countries in more than 7000 clubs
Laughter yoga began in 1995 with five members
