Laughter for Health and Happiness – Big Duncan room

Join our Laughter For Health & Happiness classes with Laughter Consultant and Health & Wellbeing coach Jo Bluett. We're delighted to have Jo lead these sessions and share her knowledge, skills and passion in a fun, healthy and accessible way with our community. Jo says "Therapeutic laughter gives us a total wellbeing workout and helps us to feel amazing on all levels - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually."

Laugh yourself happier and healthier!

The benefits of laughter include:

• lifts our mood
• reduces pain and inflammation
• boosts our immune system
• improves our breathing
• lowers blood pressure
• improves our heart (or cardiovascular) health
• boosts oxygen supply
• reduces stress and tension
• improves our social connection
• builds resilience and positivity
• builds confidence and self-esteem
• boosts our creativity

You can get a taster of what our Laughter for Health & Happiness classes might look like by watching this short two-minute video on the BBC website, which features Jo talking about Edinburgh Laughter Club: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05lkp75

Payments - Please Read

Payments for these classes can be made on Eventbrite, however please be advised that Eventbrite add on their own non-refundable fee to the ticket price which they collect. Alternatively, you can email us on events@duncanplace.org and we can send you a payment link without an additional fee added. After your first class, payments can be made in-person each week at Duncan Place via card or cash.

Chosing Your Payment Amount - Please Read

£6 = Our Standard Class Fee is for people who have a steady income (from any source) and are able to occasionally attend paid events or classes.

Alternative options

£3 = The Reduced Class Fee is an alternative option for people who have an unsteady or low income, are not often able to attend paid events or classes, and would really struggle to pay the standard class cost of £6.

£8 = Class Fee + is an alternative option for people who have more disposable income and are able to regularly attend paid events or classes. This option also helps us sustain the reduced priced option.

With these three options, it is also completely OK to pick different payment options at each class. You get to choose exactly what you pay according to what you can genuinely afford. We only ask you that you do a little bit of self-reflection before choosing your price point. You may find yourself somewhere between price points and that is fine. You get to choose which price point fits most comfortably at any given time.

Participant Information **please read**

• Please arrive five or ten minutes before the class starts - latecomers may not be admitted.
• Please wear comfortable clothing allowing movement - light layers are best as we can warm up and cool down quickly between different stages of the class.
• Part of the session includes laughter meditation where you have the option of lying down (or you can be seated in a chair). If you have a favourite yoga mat or blanket you'd like to bring along, please do, however we also have a limited supply of them here that you can use on the day.
• These Laughter For Health & Happiness classes are totally inclusive and welcome everyone of all fitness levels and mobility; wheelchair users are welcome (as are Carers and Support Workers for those who need physical assistance) and people who find it difficult to stand or cope with moving around can do the whole class seated.
• These classes will include elements of Laughter Yoga which is an aerobic exercise that may not be suitable for people suffering from uncontrolled blood pressure, heart disease, epilepsy, any kind of hernia, severe back pain, abdominal surgery within the last 3 months and major psychiatric conditions. If these conditions do not apply but during the class you experience pain, discomfort or breathlessness then take a break - have a seat
• and take some time out to rest - and perhaps then continue with restraint or more gently. If you have any doubt about continuing then simply stop. If you are unsure as to whether you should participate - please consult your GP before attending.