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

Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Wednesday, July 2, 2025

See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.

View this event »
Storytelling in the Museum from the Missouri History Museum
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Storytelling in the Museum is an in-person storytelling event happening at 10:30 a.m. at the Missouri History Museum. This event, perfect for the preschool set, features engaging stories with themes like Juneteenth, Sweet Treats, Summer and more. Storytelling in the Museum is free.

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 »
Summer Fun in St. Louis Starts Now! Your Guide to Family Fun this June

For many St. Louis families, the start of June represents the real start of summer. That's when the summer fun really starts to kick in, and the fact that so many activities and attractions are free is just a bonus!

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 »
You Might Also Like...

From Our Sponsors
Follow Us