Melbourne Corporate Laughter Sessions
Do you wish to inject something unusual into your next corporate staff business meeting or training sessions? Would you like to make your staff feel good? Do you need to raise staff morale?
Having a laughter therapist conduct a laughter session can achieve the above. Your staff will feel happier and become more creative and productive. Laughter brings people together and creates interpersonal relationships and team building due to the common shared experience.
Sessions can be customised to the needs of your organisation.
The link below shows you some of the happenings during a laughter session.
My Laughter Credentials
I am currently the President of Laughter Clubs Victoria and I was widely noted for being Malaysia’s first Certified Laughter Therapist & Trainer, personally groomed in India by Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of Laughter Clubs International, in 1999.
In 2002, I headed a research project at the University of Malaya on the effects of Laughter and Good Cheer and spearheaded the first Laughter Conference on Laughter and Well Being in South East Asia at the University of Malaya in August of that year.
I have appeared extensively on television, radio and in the press in Malaysia for my array of natural therapeutic skills, especially for my laughter prowess.
In 2011, I am the Chairperson on behalf of Laugher Clubs Victoria to run Melbourne's World Laughter Day grand style celebration in Federation Square on 1st May, 2011.
I have a background in Psychology and now I am a practising Naturopath with a speciality in Stress Management & Adrenal Exhaustion with an Australian accreditation as a Trainer and Assessor.
My client list:
- Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM)
- Sunway College
- SIT Sepang
- Pantai Medical Centre
- National Heart Hospital (IJN)
- Kuala Lumpur General Hospital
- University of Malaya
- Volvo Malaysia
- Shell Malaysia
- Exxon Mobil
- Park Royal Kuala Lumpur
- Soroptomist International Conference
- 1st Asia Pacific Reach to Recovery Intl. Breast Cancer Supp. Conference
- Nestle Singapore
- MCIS Zurich
- AstraZeneca Australia
- Melbourne City Baths
- North Melbourne Recreation Centre
- Johnson and Johnson
- Vic Health and many more
What is Laughter Therapy?
The effects of laughter on the immune system have been studied by Dr. Lee Berk and fellow researcher Dr. Stanley Tan of Loma Linda University in California. Their studies have shown that laughter results in lower blood pressure, increased muscle flexion, reduced stress hormones and enhanced immune system function as a result of increased levels of infection-fighting T-cells and disease-fighting proteins called Gamma-interferon and B-cells, which are responsible for producing disease-destroying anti-bodies.
By releasing endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers, laughter also generates a general sense of well-being. A separate study from the University of Maryland Medical Center (2005) has shown that laughter is good for your heart. This study showed how laughter can literally help blood vessels function better. Researchers found that people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease.
Following is a summary of Dr. Berk’s research, taken from an interview published in the September/October 1996 issue of the “Humor and Health Journal”. (The Laughter-Immune Connection: New Discoveries, Lee S. Berk, DPH, Humor and Health Journal, vol. 5, no. 5, 1996).
Laughter Activates the Immune System
Dr. Berks’ study found that the body’s response to laughter was opposite to that produced by stress, as it produces a state of healthy and positive emotions. Research results indicate that, after exposure to humour, there is a general increase in activity within the immune system, including:
- An increase in the number and activity level of natural killer cells that attack viral infected cells and some types of cancer and tumour cells
- An increase in activated T cells (T lymphocytes). There are many T cells that await activation. Laughter appears to tell the immune system to activate these cells
- An increase in the antibody IgA (immunoglobulin A), which fights upper respiratory tract infections
- An increase in gamma interferon, which tells various components of the immune system to increase anti-tumour activities.
Laughter Decreases "Stress" Hormones
Results of the study seemed to indicate that humour brings about a decrease in stress hormones which constrict blood vessels and suppress immune activity.
Epinephrine levels (which plays a part in short-term stress reaction) were lower in the laughter group (lower levels are better.)
Dopamine levels, which are involved with elevated blood pressure, were also decreased in the laughter group.
Laughing is aerobic, providing a workout for the diaphragm and increasing the body's ability to use oxygen.
Laughter brings in positive emotions that can enhance but not replace conventional treatments. Thus it is another tool available to help fight the disease.
Experts believe that, when used as an adjunct to conventional care, laughter can reduce pain and aid the healing process. Laughter offers a powerful distraction from pain.
Perhaps, the biggest benefit of laughter is that it is free and has no known negative side effects.
In summary, laughter acts as a muscle relaxant, it reduces stress hormones, enhances immune system function, results in temporary pain reduction, provides cardiac exercise, reduces blood pressure (women seem to benefit more than men in this regard) and improves respiration similar to deep breathing as a result of the cleansing effect brought on by laughter.
How do I use Laughter Therapy?
I utilise laughter therapy in my Stress Management and my Happiness Now seminars.
Having been trained by Dr. Madan Kataria in India, I was one of the first laughter therapists in Malaysia and I am familiar with all aspects of laughter therapy and how it can benefit you.
Copyright © 2019 Mahes Karuppiah-Quillen T/A Health Fountain
I am a registered and fully-paid up member of ANTA and AAMT
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