Laughter best medicine at new yoga sessions
WHAT’S making these people laugh in a park in Cardiff? Nothing – and everything – this is Laughter Yoga.
A new counselling centre put on a session of the giggly exercise in Roath Rec on Thursday – and invited everyone to have a go.
Breathe is the new project by Gofal, the pioneering mental health charity, as part of the organisation’s move towards creating unique spaces that encompass many aspects of wellbeing and mental health – from counselling and therapies, to yoga and music therapy, and workplace mental health courses for mental health professionals.
Visitors will be able to access talking therapies including CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), couples and family therapy, therapy for young people, bereavement counselling and help with emotional conditions from anger to low self-esteem and loneliness, from qualified counsellors, at the centre on Penylan Road in Roath.
And the building has been renovated to also include studio space for holistic wellbeing activities like yoga, pilates and art therapy as well as being available to hire for community events.
On Thursday, members of the public turned up at an open outdoor laughter yoga session at Breathe’s neighbouring Roath Recreation Ground, one of several planned events to introduce the local community to what’s on at the centre.
Laughter yoga instructor and neurologist, Maria Aguirregomozcorta Gil, of Sparkly Laughter, ran the session, which encouraged people to laugh for no reason – and enjoy everything from a “laughter shower” to a 30-second chuckling handshake with a stranger.
Maria said: “If you ask somebody, when was the last time they had a really big belly laugh, they might struggle to answer.
“Lots of us have forgotten how to really lose ourselves to laughter. Laughter helps people to connect, with themselves and with each other. Laughter yoga doesn’t need jokes. You laugh for the sake of laughing – until you really are in hysterics. Your brain doesn’t know the difference and so your body gets the same benefits.”
Gofal’s chief executive Ewan Hilton said the Breathe centre has been opened to provide a space for wellbeing and to meet the demand for talking therapies.
“We have a great range of counsellors with tremendous expertise and we also wanted to provide a studio space that would host diverse wellbeing activities from yoga to music therapy, training and community events.
“Breathe is here to be used and we’re open to individual instructors approaching us with ideas for classes and events.”
Rooms are available to hire at Breathe’s centre – including two therapy or meeting rooms and a large studio on the ground floor that’s available for anything from yoga to children’s parties.
Ewan added: “Connection and community are hugely important when it comes to looking after our wellness and mental health – as well as sharing a good laugh! We’re looking forward to working with people like Maria who can help us put on events like this at Breathe.
“Being connected with people around us improves our self-esteem and wellbeing, and means we’ll connect with others, our community, the wider world. If laughter helps us to break down our barriers, then that’s a fun bonus.
“We want to encourage and be a part of these open conversations and we’re hoping that people will make Breathe a real breath of fresh air in Roath.”
Breathe trades to support Gofal’s charitable activities which means that profits from Breathe are reinvested into the charity Gofal, which has been supporting people across Wales with mental health issues for 30 years.
■ For more information, go to www. breathespaces.com