They say laughter is the best medicine - and they’re right! Not only does a good giggle boost oxygen intake and fire up the heart, lungs and muscles, it also sends a wave of feel-good endorphins through your brain. “If yoga is based on breath,” says u3a teacher Judith W., “laughter yoga is all about breathing out - with joy!”
Laughter really is contagious, and Judith’s Zoom group proves it every morning with ten minutes of exercises and belly laughs. What began as a 40-day challenge has grown into a daily ritual that’s still going strong years later. The sessions are open to u3a members across Scotland. Judith sends out the link early so people can chat with friends beforehand.
She also shares her joyful energy with monthly sessions through the UK-wide u3a Online Learning Events.
A u3a member for fifteen years, Judith started Laughter Yoga around 2013. Back then, people travelled from all over the City to join her in-person groups. When the pandemic hit, she moved online - which is when things really took off. “The groups mushroomed”, she says, all thanks to that 40-day habit-forming challenge: try something daily, and soon it becomes part of you.
But don’t expect stand-up and punchlines. Laughter Yoga is a serious kind of fun. Judith trained online to learn the practice’s structure - involving breathing exercises, rhythmic clapping, and even “pulling some mental floss from ear to ear!” Then, take one glorious full breath - chest, belly, back - and … LAUGH all the way down to your toes. The result? Less anxiety and stronger “laughter muscles.”
Judith’s joyful mission has touched hundreds, helping people across the UK smile a little brighter. Her advice for anyone thinking of starting a group to explore their own interests? “It’s easier than you think! Your idea gets a shout-out in the Bulletin and on the website, and those who are keen will come to you. Plus, administration can be minimal.”
Ready to giggle your way to better health? If you are interested in becoming a laughter yoga teacher, contact Judith via the Laughter Yoga group email.
Page last updated on 11th June 2025