Everyone likes people who make them laugh. Even more so, being the funny one in the group is more elevating. In a recent Huffington Post article, Robert Provine, professor of psychology, discusses the dynamics of laughter. “Laughter is not primarily about humor but about social relationships.” According to his research, it’s the interactions between people that make others laugh – rather than the knee-slapping belly laughs.
The article, “Laughter Yoga? Can We Laugh Our Way to Fitness?” ran Friday, October 30.
An eccentric new fad called laughter yoga combines hilarity with small aerobic movements and breathing exercises, giving participants a euphoric sense of well-being. In laughter yoga, there are no jokes or attempts at comedy. “People laugh when they are around other people. The key stimulus is not a joke, but another person,” said Provine. “You are 30 times less likely to laugh when you are alone then when you are around other people. If you seek more laughter, you are seeking the social relationships that produce it.”
The article, “Joliet Yoga Group Gets Together,” ran Tuesday, October 27, in Medhill Reports Chicago.
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