Elders discover joy of laughing therapy

Safilguda: Every morning the area around Safilguda Tank Bund reverberates with laughter as close to 100 people laugh their guts out, much to the amusement of passersby. The ABC Laughing Club was started in the year 2003 by coach Venkatachary. In spite of the stench emanating from the lake, the members make it a point to attend the meetings.

There are 380 members but on an average 80 to 100 members attend the meetings daily, including 20 women. Speaking about the benefits, Muralikrishna, ex-serviceman organizing secretary says, "We give exercises for eyes, stomach, legs and other parts of the body.

Laughing therapy is also effective for people suffering from shivering." He further added, "A LIC manager who was afflicted with paralysis was cured." Training is also given to members at various branches in Manikonda, Pochampally, Bhongir, Netaji Nagar and Khammam.

Bonding

The club also celebrates birthdays and marriage days of members. Recently, an 85-year-old woman's birthday was celebrated and pictures along with video were sent to her children who live abroad. Harinath, retired mechanical engineer from HMT says, "We also mark birthdays of grandchild and send pictures to their parents who live in foreign countries."

The laughing club also celebrates Yoga Day, Republic Day, Independence Day and other important events. Members also share anecdotes, jokes and lifetime experiences. The session ends with shanti mantra.

Benefits of laughing

1. Laughing increases blood circulation
2. A clap with thumb finger interconnects with all sense organs
3. Members donate for Uttarakhand and Visakhapatnam floods
4. People with lifestyle disorders, even mental ill-health, benefit a lot from laughing therapy