1. L
ee-Jean Fung loves to laugh,
which is obvious from the
moment one sets eyes on her.
Her wide, infectious smile can easily
turn into laughter. Not surprisingly, she
is a certified laughter yoga teacher with
a mission to make the world a better
place through the joys and benefits of
laughter!
“Laughter yoga is a concept through
which anyone can laugh even in the
absence of stimuli such as jokes,
humour or comedy,” explains Lee-Jean.
“The concept brings together laughter
exercises and yoga breathing, allowing
more oxygen into the body while it
enjoys the benefits of laughter.”
Everyone’s laughing these
days!
Who wants to laugh? If Lee-Jean has
her way, everyone deserves a laugh.
“Laughter yoga is the complete package
for physical, mental, social and spiritual
well-being,” says Lee-Jean. After all,
it boosts fitness, reduces stress and
improves our outlook on life. “And it’s
practically free!” she adds. “You don’t
need fancy equipment or memberships.
Just gather some friends together and
laugh!”
The popularity of laughter yoga has
given rise to laughter clubs all over the
world, including Malaysia. Lee-Jean’s
very own Laughter Yoga Malaysia
organises regular get-togethers for
people who want to laugh their way to
better health.
“Laughter clubs not only foster
improved physical wellbeing, they also
help us to develop a better balanced
outlook in life. We will be more sensitive
to our own emotions as well as those
of other people. As a result, we will
become less selfish and more giving,”
Lee-Jean emphasizes.
There is some truth – and some great
benefits – to the age-old cliché that
laughter is the best medicine.
Words: Lim Teck Choon
Out Loud!
Laugh
Body's Best
Feature
50 HEALTHTODAY•September 2015
Lee-Jean Fung
Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher
Laughter Yoga Malaysia

2. To learn more about Laughter Yoga
Malaysia, visit www.laughteryoga.com.my or
their Facebook page (search for “Laughter
Yoga Malaysia”).
References: 1. Bains GS, et al. (2015). Humors effect on short-term
memory in healthy and diabetic older adults. Altern Ther Health
Med.; 21(3):16-25. 2. Cha MY, et al. (2015). Effect and path analysis
of laughter therapy on serotonin, depression and quality of life
in middle-aged women. J Korean Acad Nurs.; 45(2):221-30. doi:
10.4040/jkan.2015.45.2.221. 3. Sakai Y, et al. (2013). A trial of
improvement of immunity in cancer patients by laughter therapy. Jpn
Hosp.; (32):53-9.
Such clubs can also bring joy to the
workplace, as they reduce stress
levels, boost morale and improve
employee fitness – all of which would
only increase workplace productivity.
So, in addition to your usual routine to
stay healthy and active, let’s take time
to laugh. HT
• Relaxes your whole body and reduces the level
of stress hormones – you will feel less stressed
and tensed.
• Studies on middle-aged women indicate that
laughter may help reduce the risk of depression,
especially among older people.
• Studies on cancer patients and survivors
suggest that laughter may boost our immune
system.
• Possibly helps improve short-term memory,
especially among older adults (both healthy and
diabetic).
Laughter has many benefits,
including:
Body's Best
Feature
September 2015•HEALTHTODAY 51
Body's Best
Feature