Big reason to smile: Koh (right, front row) alongside other members of the Johor Baru Happy and Joyous Club cheering for good health.
JOHOR BARU: In an increasingly stressful world, the Johor Baru Happy and Joyous Club is on a mission to get people giggling, chuckling and roaring with laughter – not just for fun but for their own health too.
Club president Koh Mui Cheng said more than 1,000 people are expected to gather in celebration of World Laughter Day at Hsingma Si in Taman Sutera Utama here on May 4.
The goal is to promote laughter as a way to improve mental and physical health, she said.
“We often forget how good it feels to laugh, especially as we grow older and life gets busier.
“Laughter yoga incorporates deep breathing and light movement, which can help reduce stress and uplift our mood,” she said in an interview.
Koh said laughter is more important than ever at a time when mobile gadgets dominate daily life and stress levels are rising even among schoolchildren.
The World Laughter Day event, which kicks off at 7.30am, would feature participation from various schools in the city, where students will learn simple techniques to release stress and express emotions positively, she added.
These include laughing while taking deep breaths and fun “teh tarik” stretching movements to get the body moving.
“Children are naturally playful, but as they grow up, many lose that sense of joy. We want to reintroduce them to laughter in a meaningful way and nurture a less stressed generation that will become leaders tomorrow.
“Adults can benefit from reconnecting with their inner child through these exercises too, and our event, which is in its 17th year, will promote the four elements of joy – dancing, laughing, singing and playing,” said Koh.
One of the event’s highlights is the Laughter King and Queen contest, where trophies and medals will be awarded to children and adults who showcase the most infectious and convincing laughs, she added.
Touching on her experience, Koh said laughter yoga has become a daily part of her life since she was introduced to it 14 years ago.
Apart from starting her day with laughing exercises, she hosts and participates in daily online sessions with international laughing enthusiasts.
“I have noticed changes in myself over the years. I am able to forgive and let go more easily now, as laughter helps to release the emotional baggage we tend to carry around.
“There is also a growing global interest; before the Covid-19 pandemic, the laughter community spanned 60 countries, and now we have representatives from over 120 countries,” she said.
Koh said in addition to the event, Johor Baru will also host the second Malaysia Laughter Yoga Conference from July 25 to 27, which will see participants from over 20 countries coming together for laughter workshops, networking sessions and interactive activities.
“We aim to continue reaching out to the community and schools to spread more joy and laughter to the public.
“Laughter is a universal language – and it’s free,” Koh added with a smile.
