To celebrate International Optimism Day we're organising a FREE laughter workshop at the Comedy Store in London. Also included for your amusement will be a performance by L Vaughn Spencer "The Gansta Motivator" - he is to motivational speaking what Alan Partridge is TV presenting.

What’s a laughter workshop?? Well in the words of Leela from Shinetime who will conduct ours...

We’re bombarded with negative information in the media – recession, businesses going under, crime, war and so on. On top of this, it’s cold and dark. Often if we need a laugh we look for an external stimulus to make us laugh – comedians, friends, funny films. But sometimes that isn’t possible – so what then? Can we laugh if there’s nothing to laugh at? Can we laugh if we don’t feel happy? Yes! This is what laughter workshops are all about – getting all the benefits of laughter, without necessarily having anything to laugh “at” – ie laughing to make us feel happier, rather than laughing because we feel happy. And believe me, it works.

Shinetime sessions explore laughter in all its diverse and delicious forms and are positive and uplifting. Workshops usually include elements of Laughter Yoga - a selection of fun, hearty exercises created by an Indian doctor using laughter and breath as a base – as well as laughter meditation, play, laughterobics, and relaxation. (See laughteryoga.org for more information about laughter yoga)
For some the laughter flows easily, for others the laughter can just as beneficially be simulated at first as the body warms up; bubbling over contagiously into real spontaneous laughter and a low-impact but dynamic workout for the mind, body and soul. Indeed, the motto of laughter yoga is “fake it, fake it, til you make it!” Participants also experience exercises and techniques that they can take away and use to help them cope with stress, laugh more and boost positivity and creativity.

Its free and open to all, so see you there.