Laughercize
Encyclopedia
Laughercize is form of contagious laughter
exercise, which works off the natural infectiousness of human joy. The technique is a form of practiced joy fitness which combines laughter and exercise.
. In the course of researching a TV documentary about laughter, Nerenberg told Hour Magazine he learned more about how "laughter protects people against heart disease, strengthens immunity and fights depression." Nerenberg believes joy fitness is an unexplored part of physical fitness. By combining contagious laughter techniques with exercise, Nerenberg created Laughercize, a set of exercises that trigger natural contagious reactions that can often result in extended bouts of laughter with therapeutic benefits. Nerenberg states that laughing can naturally deter stress by metabolizing cortisol, one of the main stress hormones. Laughing also improves breathing and heart health. It often quickly resolves anxiety and works towards lowering stress levels. The development of Laughercize was influenced by the development of Laughter Yoga
and Improvisational Theater.
Laughter
Laughing is a reaction to certain stimuli, fundamentally stress, which serves as an emotional balancing mechanism. Traditionally, it is considered a visual expression of happiness, or an inward feeling of joy. It may ensue from hearing a joke, being tickled, or other stimuli...
exercise, which works off the natural infectiousness of human joy. The technique is a form of practiced joy fitness which combines laughter and exercise.
History
Laughercize was developed by Canadian filmmaker, journalist and Laughologist Albert NerenbergAlbert Nerenberg
Albert Nerenberg is a Canadian independent filmmaker, actor, journalist, and laughologist. His films include Stupidity , Escape to Canada , Let's All Hate Toronto , and Laughology...
. In the course of researching a TV documentary about laughter, Nerenberg told Hour Magazine he learned more about how "laughter protects people against heart disease, strengthens immunity and fights depression." Nerenberg believes joy fitness is an unexplored part of physical fitness. By combining contagious laughter techniques with exercise, Nerenberg created Laughercize, a set of exercises that trigger natural contagious reactions that can often result in extended bouts of laughter with therapeutic benefits. Nerenberg states that laughing can naturally deter stress by metabolizing cortisol, one of the main stress hormones. Laughing also improves breathing and heart health. It often quickly resolves anxiety and works towards lowering stress levels. The development of Laughercize was influenced by the development of Laughter Yoga
Laughter Yoga
Laughter Yoga is a form of yoga employing self-triggered laughter. The "laughter" is physical in nature, and does not necessarily involve humor or comedy. Laughter Yoga combines unconditional laughter with pranayama...
and Improvisational Theater.