Laugher really is the best medicine

What fun we had at Word of Mouth last night! Whilst the rest of Oxford were stuck on the road trying to get from A to B a group of Fe-line Women were laughing their socks off in the Phoenix Picturehouse in Jericho!

Annabel James from Just Laughter: The Oxford Laughter Club told us how to laugh our way to better health. Turns out laughing has some great health benefits and as adults we just don’t do enough of it!

First came ‘the science bit,’ we learnt why laughing is so beneficial to us physically and emotionally. It’s a cardiovascular workout, its good for the face muscles, it increases circulation, increases oxygen intake, releases happy hormones ‘endorphins’ and reduces stress hormone, ‘cortisol’! And best of all, anyone can do it.

Then Annabel took us through some laughter yoga exercises. There were some nervous faces to begin with, as we all had to leave our inhibitions at the door. But everyone soon got into the exercises as we went around the room revealing our secret laughs to each other and covering ourselves in laughter lotion! We finished by sitting in a circle with our backs facing in and just laughing for no reason! There was not a dry eye in the house and my jaw ached from so much laughing.

The top 5 tips that we picked up were:

1. Fake it! Your body doesn’t know if it is really laughing or fake laughing. By faking it you still get the same health benefits.
2. Wake up smiling! Try making yourself smile when you wake up. It will put you in a good frame of mind and will soon become habit.
3. Laugh for no reason! Children laugh just for the hell of it and we should too!
4. Who needs the gym! 1 minutes hearty laughter has the same health benefits as 10 minutes on the rowing machine. I know what I would rather do!
5. Cover yourself with laughter lotion! Laugh as you open your imaginary bottle of laughter lotion and cover yourself from head to toe!

Another amazing night and another amazing Oxford woman!  We can’t wait to do it again on Tuesday 14^th February when we will be learning from Lucy Eckley Why communication is the key to success!

For more information about laughter yoga sessions in Oxford visit: www.justlaughter.co.uk

I love to laugh

Monday may well have been Blue Monday but Fe-line Women have a way for you to beat the January blues – ever heard of laughter yoga?

Next Tuesday (24th January) is our next Word of Mouth event, the theme for the evening is Laugh your way to better health. Annabel from the Oxford Laughter Club will be talking to us about why laughter is good for our health, how she got involved in laughter yoga and taking us through a taster laughter yoga session.

Laughter yoga sessions involve laughter exercises and deep breathing.  The exercises will be performed in a group under the direction of Annabel who will start the exercises and show the group what to do.  No special clothing or equipment is required.  Comfortable clothes that allow free movement are best.

Where will the laughing take place? The upstairs bar, Phoenix Picturehouse, 57 Walton Street, Jericho, Oxford OX2 6AE
When will the laughing take place? 7:30pm on Tuesday 24th January
Price: £5 per person, just show up

Annabel and Laura from Oxford Laughter Club will be on BBC Radio Oxford on Tuesday 24^th January at 11:30am talking about laughter yoga and what they will be doing at the Word of Mouth event. And if you can’t wait until Tuesday and you need some cheering up now, listen to this and I challenge you to keep a straight face!

Word of Mouth is a women-only event aimed at showcasing the stories and talents of Oxfordshire women. Women who are setting up their own businesses, changing their careers, doing wonderful hobbies or just generally breaking the mould. Word of Mouth takes place on the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of a month. Come along and listen to wonderful stories, ask questions, pick up tips, get inspiration and meet like-minded people.