Serena Kirby, Denmark Bulletin

Laughter yoga is part of everyday life to Kim O’Meara.

She discovered the mental and physical benefits of laughter 20 years ago and has since become a qualified laughter yoga instructor.

A medical doctor and his yoga teacher-wife first developed laughter yoga in India and later the couple travelled the world to teach the therapy to others.

There are now more than 6000 laughter clubs in 70 countries.

Kim came across laughter yoga after being diagnosed with CREST syndrome, a debilitating autoimmune disease where the skin thickens and hardens, and blood vessels become damaged.

“I was given three years to live and that was 20-something years ago so I’ve survived way past my expiry date,” Kim said laughing.

Since becoming a laughter yoga facilitator Kim has guided tens of thousands of people in therapeutic laughter sessions and is on the board of not-for-profit group, Laugh WA, as well as being an official international ambassador.

Kim said the expression that “laughter is the best medicine” is no joke.

Laughter reduces stress, burns calories, strengthens the immune system and releases endorphins, which helps us feel good.

The yoga aspect of this therapy relates to the aerobic exercise that happens when you laugh.

Kim has travelled the length and breadth of Australia conducting laughter yoga sessions but her work in Rwanda is undoubtedly the most remarkable.

She’s been to Rwanda many times to work with survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

She returned to the country last year to help perpetrators of the genocide integrate back into their villages.

“My visit coincided with many prisoners being released after their 30-year sentence,” Kim said.

“To be standing in a room with perpetrators and survivors, laughing and holding hands together was simply phenomenal.

“It’s all about trying to heal the trauma so that it’s not passed on to future generations.”

Kim has also worked with blind and deaf people at Africa’s University of Zululand and was invited by the University of Rwanda to teach laughter therapy to more than 350 doctors and psychologists.

“I think I’m one of the happiest people in the world and the simple reason for that is that I’m alive,” she said.

Kim is keen to share the benefits of laughter yoga with local community groups, aged care residents, workplaces and schools and can be contacted on 0478 881 986.

This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 23 January 2024.