Add Some Laughter to Your Exercise Routine

One of my favorite lines from any movie is Paul Rudd’s “I wish I liked anything as much as my kids like bubbles” from Knocked Up.

It’s so true. Children’s hearts are full of unadulterated joy. They’ll giggle uncontrollably at the word “poop” (ok, I still do a little) and roll on the floor in hysterics with just a tickle of their toes.

As we morph in to stressed-out, overworked thirtysomethings, that silliness gene disappears along with our hairlines and size six waists. Giggling is out; irony becomes the norm. So it’s no wonder many of us are tired and cranky and incredibly envious of the three-year-old with the bubble wand.

However, there’s a form of exercise that can let your inner kindergartener run free with your actual kindergartener. Laughter yoga groups are erupting across the metro area, and St. Louis’ newest club, led by Emma Klues of Laughter in the Lou, kicks off this week at Tower Grove Park. The group is open to all ages, and best of all, it’s 45 minutes of free exercise and therapy.

Behind the laughter

Laughter yoga was started by Dr. Madan Kataria, a physician from India who found that while the body can’t tell the difference between fake and genuine laughter, it reaps the same psychological and physical rewards from both. Dr. Kataria incorporated his findings into a series of yogic breathing, stretching and exercises to create a workout built around laughter.

Klues first discovered laughter yoga while visiting Greece in 2008. When she returned to St. Louis, she became involved with clubs led by St. Louis laughter yoga pioneer, Marlene Chertok of Laughter Yoga St. Louis, and Jodi Hart of Laughter Yoga 101. Their work inspired her to join them as a certified leader.

According to Klues, the benefits of laughter yoga are enormous. The exercise boosts your immune system, releases endorphins and clears out the lymphatic system, but most of all, oxygenates your body in a way normal breathing just can’t.

“The best, most effective way to get a full exhale is to laugh,” she remarked via email. “We laugh to the point that we are gasping for air (sound familiar?), and we have fun doing it. We clear out the stale air from our lungs, take deep breaths to replenish what we lost, and shaboom, our lungs are rejuvenated and fresh oxygen gets to our entire body (and brain).”

Klues also explained that laughter yoga, not surprising, is an incredible stress reliever. While you’re in laughter yoga, your mind might still be stuck in work or family mode, but your body is free of the physical side effects associated with stress. Just as exciting – “In terms of a core workout, one minute of belly laughter equals three minutes on a rowing machine,” she said. “How’s that for getting more of your time?”

A laughter yoga session involves a series of exercises, from stretches to group cheers to pantomime games. After 40 minutes, the leader guides members through meditation encompassing free-form laughter and a guided relaxation of the entire body. Plus, because the movements aren’t strenuous or complicated, laughter yoga is one workout the whole family can participate in. In fact, it’s not only healthy for a child from a physical standpoint, but can help kids achieve an emotional balance – ideal for calming the temper tantrum monster.

Said Klues, “Laughter can help children cope with stress, bond with others (especially family), and get some exercise. While children are much more open to laughter (they laugh an average of 300 times a day compared to an adult’s 15), encouraging them to laugh freely and for no reason will help them continue that practice into adulthood! The relaxation also helps them learn techniques to calm themselves down.”

Klues’ laughter club runs every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. at the playground pavilion in Tower Grove Park starting April 19, and there is no cost to attendees. In addition, you can find laughter clubs throughout the region by visiting Chertok’s site at www.laughteryogastlouis.net and Hart’s site at www.laughteryoga101.com.

By Nicole Plegge, Lifestyle Blogger for SmartParenting

Share This Story

Metro East mom Nicole Plegge has written for STL Parent for more than 12 years. Besides working as a freelance writer & public relations specialist, and raising two daughters and a husband, Nicole's greatest achievements are finding her misplaced car keys each day and managing to leave the house in a stain-free shirt. Her biggest regret is never being accepted to the Eastland School for Girls. Follow Nicole on Twitter @STLWriterinIL 

Our Daily Things to Do email is the easiest way to plan your day.
Follow Us
 
Things to Do

Movies Under the Stars at the Chesterfield Amphitheater
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Spend an evening watching a free family movie under the stars at the Chesterfield Amphitheater. Movies will be shown at dusk using laser projection technology on the roof of the amphitheater for a unique viewing experience. Enjoy food trucks and the Bubble Bus too!

View this event »
Summer Family Fun Series at the Missouri History Museum
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Friday, July 11, 2025
Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Join the Missouri History Museum for free family fun in June and July at the Summer Family Fun Series! Enjoy a variety of free family activities, including crafts, performances, and scavenger hunts, all are tied into Museum exhibits and centered on a different theme each week. Learn about Caribbean, Latin American, and German cultures in STL, discover Missouri’s trains, planes and other forms of transportation innovation, celebrate the 10th anniversary of the History Clubhouse, and more!

View this event »
Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.
Popular Stories

Festivals & Fireworks to Celebrate July 4th in St. Louis

It's time to celebrate Independence Day in St. Louis, and because this year July 4th falls on a Friday, your family can look forward to a full weekend of festivals and fireworks. Check out these family-friendly celebrations that include carnivals, fantastic fireworks and lots more.

Continue reading »
Why Summer Camp is Great for . . . Parents

Being able to focus on yourself, your partner, and other people in your life who mean a lot to you is no small matter. As parents, we’re used to being responsible providers and caregivers. However, there’s so much more to a person: we’re also partners and friends. These are important parts of our identities that we need to cultivate. Sending your kids to summer camp may bring out your more playful side that you haven’t shown for a while.

Continue reading »
7 Signs Your Kids Are Ready For Their First Sleepaway Camp

It’s time to decide whether to send your kids to sleepaway camp, but how do you know that's the right thing to do? How can you tell whether your kids are ready for their first extended stay away from home? Here are 7 important signs that experts say should inform your decision.

Continue reading »
Want Your Kids to Learn? Teach Them It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

It’s normal for parents to want to protect their children from failure. It’s also normal to want them to achieve, win, and do their best. But here’s the truth: We don’t learn anything new without making mistakes. I’ll say it again. Making mistakes is a crucial step in learning. If we’re fearful of making mistakes, learning comes to a screeching halt.

Continue reading »
10 Ways to Improve Your Child's Listening Skills

Focused listening is one of the most important skills your child will ever learn. Children with strong listening skills do better in school, sports, relationships and, eventually, in their careers. But many children lack this important skill and parents are rightly concerned. First, listening is much more than just hearing.

Continue reading »
You Might Also Like...

From Our Sponsors
Follow Us