Laughter For Health

July 2012

jo.bluett — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 19:59:55 +0000

Another fabulously busy month – several new faces at laughter club which is always great to see. And the Care For Carers Stepping Out Residential Weekends in Linlithgow saw weekend number 3 of the year delivering the new workshop “The Balancing Act” specifically designed for carers based around nurturing our “inner smile”, the importance of taking time for ourselves, being kind to ourselves and listening to our body’s subtle signals to manage stress better. Feedback from the carers has been so wonderful that I will be running this new workshop for the public “Protecting Our Inner Smile” in November at The Healthy Life Centre. Also went through to Glasgow this month to run a Laughter Session for the Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland (LTCAS) teambuilding event. Have also been working on finalising the website build with the Web Designer and attending training courses to enable me to maintain and develop the site in the future – an exciting challenge!!!

June 2012

jo.bluett — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 07:05:41 +0000

June has been a busy month with laughter workshops for Care For Carers Stepping Out Residential Weekend in Linlithgow, Waverley Care’s Volunteers’ Day up at Milestone House, Carers of West Lothian in Broxburn plus laughter sessions for Citadel Youth Centre in Leith and Living Well North Edinburgh in Pilton.

We had a fantastic Laughter Club on 10th June though all got very, very hot down in the Healthy Life Centre’s Meditation Room – we’ll be back in our usual upstairs training room next month – phew!

On Sunday 17th June, members of the Laughter Network kicked off the first ever week long UK National Laughter Festival with a four nation laughter session at midday (here in Edinburgh, Belfast, North Wales, the Isle of Man and also in Manchester). I then travelled down to Manchester for the culmination of the Laughter Festival 22nd-24th June. Saturday 23rd June started with Laughter Network members meeting and catching up while the afternoon saw The Comedy Store host the first ever UK Laughter Championships – brilliant, brilliant fun!

Next year the UK Laughter Festival will be in May and will grow bigger with national free events for schools, hospitals, carers and in the community; Laughter For Health will be co-ordinating events in Edinburgh so watch this space!

Feedback for Laughter Workshop – Carers of East Lothian Carers’ Support Group Christmas Event 13th December 2011

jo.bluett — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:41:46 +0000

Jo’s multi-sensorial, action packed, giggle inducing laughter workshop was a thoroughly enjoyable experience! A history of the health benefits of laughter was followed by a series of laughter exercises and yoga breathing, found to be suitable for all ages and abilities within our group. Some comments from group members included:-

“Relaxing after laughing so much and feeling good”
“I really enjoyed myself, it was excellent, we all had fun”
“Relaxed and happy”
“Feeling bright and happy…it has lowered stress levels”

Ruth, COEL Carer Support Group

Review of Care For Carers Laughter Workshop – September 2010

jo.bluett — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:34:43 +0000

I booked Jo to run a laughter workshop for a group of 12 carers who were attending a course called ‘Looking After Yourself’ and what a great decision it turned out to be!

From the moment the session started Jo set the tone perfectly and shared her knowledge and passion for laughter therapy expertly with the group. Everyone enjoyed learning the theory behind the ‘therapy’ and then took delight in practising the exercises.

This session was at the end of our course and although it was a great way to end on a ‘high’, it would also have been perfect at the start. The exercises facilitated natural ice-breakers and allowed people to have fun and get to know each other whilst benefiting from the therapeutic effects. All the feedback from the course evaluations were positive about the session and I would definitely include this topic in a health focused course again.

Madeleine Martin, Carer Co-ordinator, Edinburgh Community Health Partnership

Review of Laughter Workshop, Stepping Out Weekend, Linlithgow 30th July 2011

jo.bluett — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:34:02 +0000

Jo conveys the theory of laughter therapy intelligently and logically. She designed her workshops sensitively and was able to develop a safe and supportive environment in which our participants could comfortably share and take part. I found it to be a heartening and life enhancing couple of hours!

Below are some comments from our carers who attended the Laughter for Health Workshop:

“Superb”
“A Stress Buster workshop”
“Energising yet relaxing at the same time”
“A real boost for my confidence”
“Singing, dancing, laughing, I feel like I’ve just been on a really good night out!”
Claudia Lang, Short-breaks Co-ordinator, Care for Carers

Feedback from Laughter Workshops at St George’s School For Girls Diversity day – September 2011

jo.bluett — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:31:38 +0000

“I came with my form class to Jo’s first laughter session for the Senior Girls and, I have to say, was a bit nervous! We had a great time. Jo was very informative to start with and guided us all gently into the exercises. By the end of the session, we were hysterically laughing as a group. It was a real bonding experience and what wonderful eye contact. Thank you so much for teaching us. With exam classes I think we’ll do some de-stressing with laughter yoga. Loved it. Well done.”

Steph Hall, Teacher (Senior Girls), St George’s School For Girls

Edinburgh Laughter Club

jo.bluett — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:28:52 +0000

Edinburgh Laughter Club is now going great guns! We meet (usually*) on the second Sunday of the month from 11am – 12pm at The Healthy Life Centre, Bread Street, Edinburgh.

Next Laughter Club is Sunday 15th July – come along to laugh away your stresses and give your health a boost!

Cost £5 (£4 concessions)

Click here for more details.

Visit Services/Individuals for more information about Laughter Club format.
*Do please check dates/times as these may vary from time to time.

Laughter For Health Workshops

jo.bluett — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:21:36 +0000

Laughter For Health Workshops are held regularly at The Healthy Life Centre, Bread Street, Edinburgh.

Our next Workshop is Sunday 2nd September 2012 2.30-4.00pm
You will leave feeling younger, healthier and happier!
Suitable for everyone – first timers to seasoned laughter enthusiasts!

Cost £20 (£15 concessions) on the door or £16 (£12 concessions) if paid in advance.

Click here for more details.

Visit Services/ Individuals for more information about the Laughter Workshop format.