Fitness fanatics practise laughter yoga

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Fitness fanatics practise laughter yoga

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A new group of fitness fanatics in Vietnam have been doing an unusual exercise in parks.

25 September,2011 04:13 pm

They have been gathering in cool mornings come rain or shine to have bouts of laughter.Members of the Laughter Yoga group in the capital Hanoi wave their arms, clap and march for around 45 minutes.Laughter makes us become younger, relaxed and comfortable. When I practice this, I forget all my sadness.It clears my mind and so I can come home to do my chores as usual, said retired artist Vu Hong Diem, 60, a recent convert.The combination of unconditional laughter and yogic breathing is said to stretch muscles and trigger endorphins - the chemical in the brain known for its feel-good effect.Participants prove there is truth in the old Vietnamese saying: A good laugh is equal to 10 prescriptions of medicine. Laughter yoga first started in India and the man who introduced it in Vietnam, Le Anh Son, claims it has the potential to change society.