THE CHUCKLING CURE

THEY say laughter is the best medicine, and laugh coach Agata Commisso (pictured) is putting that theory to the test by running laughter yoga workshops. Laughter yoga prompts a good giggle by use of breathing, chanting and clapping techniques.

“It’s about giving yourself the freedom to laugh and act like a child,” Ms

Commisso said. “By laughing we release endorphins, which makes us feel good.” Ms Commisso first started laughter yoga and laugh wellness workshops in 2000 when working as a medical secretary at a hospital.

“I could see everyone walking around with a lot of stress and that’s why I decided to learn more about laughter therapy,” she said. She ran classes for 16 years, teaching people techniques to deal with the stresses of everyday life but had to take a four-year hiatus due to her own medical issues. “I had two heart stents put in,” she said. “I did use laugh therapy to help me overcome these issues.” With her medical issues under control, Ms Commisso wants to start running laughter yoga classes again.

“The world is in a little bit of turmoil right now and can use some laughter,” Ms Commisso said. “I would love it if someone asked me to do this every week and pay me for it … but I don’t charge people because people should just be doing it because it is good for them.”

She is running Laughter Yoga popup sessions Saturday mornings at the Springdale Neighbourh ood Centre in Drysdale and has created an app called Happy Face ,