Abundant Laughter

07/10/2025

Happy Mental Health Week in Western Australia 🙂

Thank you to Jamie-Lee Gale and the Town of Victoria Park for inviting me to talk about the mental health benefits of laughter today at their staff Lunch and Learn event. I was part of a panel of speakers who addressed the audience on topics such as Nutrition and Mental Health, Coping with Stress and Resilience. The aim was to share practical tips for daily use, so of course I engaged the staff in a 15 minute taster session of Laughter Yoga.

I look forward to working with the Wellbeing Team in the future to offer a Laughter Yoga workshop for local community members.

06/06/2025

In 2017 I attended a Women's Healthy Lifestyle Expo in the City of Gosnells with my mum. We participated in a 30 minute Laughter Yoga taster session with Janni Goss. I was so inspired I thought to myself "I want to do what she's doing one day". Two years later Janni trained me to become an internationally certified Laughter Yoga leader and kindly mentored me into becoming a professional presenter.

Next week I have the opportunity to inspire an audience at the City of Canning's Healthy Lifestyle Expo. I will be presenting a Laughter Yoga taster session between 9.45-10.15am at the Hillview Intercultural Community Centre in Bentley, Western Australia. This is a chance for the public to come along and experience the health benefits of Laughter Yoga for themselves. We'll boost our immune system, exercise our heart and lungs and ignite our joyous inner spirit!

The Expo will be open 9.00am-2.30pm and features a range of exhibitors and presenters offering insights, tips and tools to live your healthiest life. Entry is free, however bookings are required.

Join us at the Healthy Lifestyle Event for a day of fitness, nutrition tips, and wellness activities by local providers.

12/05/2025

I'm hosting a FREE Laughter for Wellbeing workshop for seniors who live in the City of Gosnells at 10am on Thursday 29th May. Come along and learn about the health benefits of laughter by experiencing them in my fun, interactive session which will leave you feeling uplifted and energized!

Bookings open today through the City of Gosnells. Please phone 9391 6030 to save your place.

For more info, go to https://www.gosnells.wa.gov.au/news-events/events/laughter-wellbeing-0 #:~:text=Being%20playful%20and%20having%20fun,breathing%20and%20playful%20laughter%20exercises.

11/04/2025

Did you know that laughter releases endorphins which is our natural pain killer? We have the ability to dissolve our own pain, whether it's physical, emotional or financial, simply by laughing!

Today's video reveals how this has helped me in my life.
If you'd like to join a Laughter Club to develop the habit of laughing your way through pain, go to https://laughwa.org.au/wa-clubs/

21/03/2025

As a Laughter Yoga Leader of 5 years I have learnt and practiced many laughing and breathing techniques that have really helped me to manage my stress and anxiety. In 2025 I will be sharing these wellbeing strategies with you in a series of short videos because my mission as Founder of Abundant Laughter is to inspire and empower others to lead happier, healthier lives with laughter!

I invite you to give these ideas a try and let me know if they help you too.

Today's topic is dealing with stress. Tune in and learn to laugh it away.

07/03/2025

A resident at Treeby Parklands Care Community requested a Laughter Yoga session to brighten the lives of her friends so yesterday I had the pleasure of turning her dream into reality. The group very quickly warmed up to the concept of voluntary laughter and it wasn't long before their natural giggles and gaffaws filled the air.

We rubbed away our aches and pains with some magical laughter cream and made an imaginary laughter milkshake to quench our thirst after the workout.

Curious onlookers stopped and smiled at the fun that we were sharing and one resident broke out into a chorus of "You Are My Sunshine" which reflected the mood in the room.

“The residents stated the laughter yoga perked them up, made them feel happy and relaxed. There was a lot of happiness and laughter.”
Michelle Jones, Social Activities Coordinator

Do you know someone in an Aged Care Centre or Retirement Village that would enjoy a Laughter session? Please get in touch via my website www.abundantlaughter.com.au so I can help brighten their day.

18/02/2025

Are you looking for a Staff Wellbeing workshop that is an absolute crowd pleaser and will leave them feeling positive and uplifted?

Everyone loves to share a good laugh and knows laughter can be the best medicine so let's give your team the chance to relax, connect and have some fun together.

Our Staff Wellbeing Laughter workshops are highly interactive and energizing to keep your staff engaged, alert and interested. Combining movement with laughter, hand clapping chants and deep breathing, we will guide your staff through activities that spark their imagination and playfulness.

The room will erupt with contagious laughter and positive emotions which assist in creating stronger social bonds between your staff. We laugh "with" each other, rather than "at" each other to enhance the team building experience.

Your staff will learn how to use laughter on a daily basis as a tool for self-compassion and resilience. It's the fastest and most effective method to relieve stress and boost your mood and is accessible for everyone.

Book a 45-60 minute Laughter Workshop with Abundant Laughter for your next Professional Development Day, Staff Meeting or Wellbeing Program. I will deliver on-site at your chosen location. All you need to arrange is a room or outdoor space and an audience keen to experience the joy of laughter!

Get in touch to secure your date:
Email: janet@abundantlaughter.com.au
Phone: 0450 351 473
Online: https://lnkd.in/gXTb4z2A

14/01/2025

Let's start the New Year with some fun! Ignite your joyous spirit and re-discover your ability to be playful at my next Laughter Yoga workshop. If you've been curious to try one of my sessions then this is the opportunity for you to join me.

Next Up on Wednesday Tasters - A Sampler for the Soul.
Join Us for Laughter Yoga with Janet Whitfield!

💖This event is by donation only. All proceeds go to Orana House Women's Refuge.💖

Experience the joy and transformative power of Laughter Yoga, a group activity designed to boost your health, happiness, and connection with others. Led by the talented Janet Whitfield, this session combines playful laughter exercises with deep breathing techniques inspired by yoga.

Here’s what makes Laughter Yoga special:
🧘‍♀️ Playful Exercises: Simulated laughter and gentle movements quickly turn into genuine, contagious laughter.
🤝 Stronger Connections: Smiling and eye contact create a sense of unity and joy.
💖 Holistic Benefits: Enjoy improved mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

✨ Why You’ll Love It:
• Reduces stress and anxiety.
• Boosts oxygen levels for better brain and body function.
• Releases feel-good hormones like dopamine and endorphins.
• Strengthens your immune system and lowers blood pressure.
• Builds resilience and enhances social connections.

📅 Details:
🗓️ 29th January 2025
🕒 5pm
📍 Luxe Studio at Inspiration Space
💲 By donation only. All proceeds go to Orana House Women's Refuge.

Join us and discover how laughter truly is the best medicine!

👉 Book your spot now! https://book.inspirationspace.co/laughter-yoga

14/10/2024

Laughter Yoga for Seniors Week has proved to be very popular the past 2 years with sellout sessions in the City of Armadale so I'm pleased to announce that I will be presenting again this year. If you're aged 55+, join me 10-11am on Monday 11th November at the Seville Grove Library and I will show you how to use laughter to build more resilience and joy into your life.

Come dressed in comfortable clothes and be prepared for an interactive workshop where we will move our bodies, laugh intentionally and practice deep breathing exercises from yoga.

A friend of mine in her eighties shared with me that as you get older you have more opportunities to laugh at yourself. This workshop will inspire you to respond to those moments of memory loss or embarrassment with a sense of humour.

Book early to secure your free ticket: https://library.armadale.wa.gov.au/laughter-yoga-seniors

05/10/2024

Friday 4th October was World Smile Day. The theme was "Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile." I was invited to Aegis Amherst to share a Laughter Yoga workshop with 20 Aged Care residents. Upon arrival I gifted each person with a smiley sticker and indicated that our smiles would soon burst into laughter.

After a few warm up laughter activities I shared a powerful quote that has had a significant impact on my life: "The way you spend the first hour of your day determines the quality of the next 23 hours". I start every day with a smile in the mirror and some physical movement like yoga or a walk in nature. I showed the residents how they could apply some imaginary laughter cream to their body as part of their morning routine to prime themselves for more laughter during the day.

One wise resident commented that every day should be a day for smiling. I totally agree! And the best part about smiles and laughter?? They are positively contagious so go ahead and share yours with someone today :)

09/08/2024

These glowing smiles are on the faces of members of the Herald Avenue Seniors Centre in Willetton. Thanks to a community grant from the City of Canning, I was invited to present a 5 week series of Laughter Yoga workshops between June-August.

I shared how I use laughter as a mental health strategy to cope with upsets and disappointments that happen in daily life, such as laughing at my mistakes, releasing stress with laughter and easing the pain of a stubbed toe with laughter. Kathy (pictured in blue) explained how intentionally laughing out loud while stuck in a traffic jam reduced her frustration.

We enjoyed a session with an Olympics theme using laughter activities to get us in the right head space for our event. We competed in archery, weightlifting and golf - winning gold for Australia. Finally we sang the new Aussie chant in pure Laughter Yoga style:
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, He He He
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Ha Ha Ha
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Ho Ho Ho

It was a joy to meet these lovely people and share a laugh with them each week.

02/08/2024

Did you know Laughter Yoga is a mild aerobic exercise?

Laughter Yoga sessions incorporate gentle movement, hand clapping, vocal chants and deep breathing exercises from yoga. All of these components are sustained for 15-30 minutes to improve blood flow around the body ensuring the heart and lungs get a moderate workout. The supply of oxygen to the brain increases which brings alertness to the mind.

The laughter exercises involve playfulness and imagination which can stimulate happy memories from childhood days and bring us into the present moment, temporarily forgetting stress and pain. The physical movements activate both the left and right sides of the brain and require participants to concentrate on their coordination. Sessions can be conducted seated in chairs or with a combination of movement around the space, allowing accessibility for all abilities.

The hand clapping rhythm of the Cha Cha Cha stimulates acupressure points in the hands and alerts the brain to get ready for action. The addition of the chant Ho, Ho, Ha, Ha, Ha mimics the sounds produced when we laugh. Since our brain cannot determine the difference between a voluntary laugh and a genuine laugh, it releases the happy hormones and we start to feel better.

In addition to providing a mild aerobic workout, Laughter Yoga sessions improve health and wellbeing by providing social interaction. Leaders encourage the audience to engage in eye contact with each other while acting out the laughter activities. This bonds the group members in a joyful way, quickly reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. Laughter Yoga is often described as the most fun you can have while exercising!