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.