This was the last blog of mine on Blogster, and it's so good that I wanted to bring it here and share it with you. I hope that I can bring some interesting reads and some great pictures to my new column here. xxx



For over 800 years the residents of Hofu, Japan, have been celebrating laughter in the form of "waraiko," which roughly translates as "laughing their way to heaven."

This practice consists of three hearty laughs:

1st laugh - in gratitude for the passing year (praise)

2nd laugh - in prayer for the coming year (promise)

3rd laugh - for clarity to clear the mind and heart (purpose)

The ritual was started by farmers as a way to cope with the difficulties of life. They offer this joyous sound to the gods each year on the first Sunday in December.

Laughter was recognized as a good stress reliever even centuries ago.

According to a study by German psychologist Dr. Michael Titze, people in the '50's laughed for an average of 18 minutes a day and yet, despite our much improved living standards, today we laugh only an average of six minutes a day!

As children we frequently laughed hundreds of times a day, but as adults we often laugh only 10 - 15 times (if that) a day.

What's happened to our laughter?

The act of laughing has so many psychological and physical benefits that we have to learn to lighten up and remember how to laugh at stuff.

Dr. Annette Goodheart has been using laughter in her practice since the 1970's and is one of the first in her profession to learn the benefits of laughing. Check out www.teehee.com and listen to her laugh - you're likely to join in or at least smile.

Laughter is one of the best stress relievers there is, but it's also an attitude and a way of looking at life.

For more information on laughter clubs, check out;

www.laughteryoga.ca

www.laughteryoga.org

www.worldlaughtertour.com