It’s a pretty strange sight to see and a hilarious sound to hear: a roomful of seniors at River Ridge Seniors’ Community laughing at absolutely nothing.
The active living residential facility has been holding laughter yoga sessions since October with creative expressions co-ordinator Nicole van Velzen. What started off with just a handful of skeptical participants has become a serious source of traffic. It isn’t even funny how popular it has become, extending its invitation past the building walls and out into St. Albert itself.
“It’s nice because people from the community will call and be like, ‘I’m just wondering what it’s all about because if it’s pretzel-twisting, I can’t do it,” she claimed, pointing out that the term ‘yoga’ here doesn’t necessitate multiple downward dogs and warrior postures. It’s just about the easiest yoga class there is.
“I know it’s yoga but it’s more like stretching and really deep breathing. The laughter exercise is to bring that genuine mirthful laughter out.”
Originally trained as a physiotherapist’s assistant, she realized she had a higher calling.
“I know that I’m meant to be here with the residents,” she admitted, adding she just had to get over her fear of acting silly.
The hour-long session has her guide the participants through a series of routines designed to relax and ease them into some good old-fashioned chuckles, guffaws and cackles. They start with claps, then exclamations of ‘Yay!’ before going into some purely absurd territory. The group of about 20 people smell imaginary flowers, pour and drink invisible milkshakes and roar like lions with tongues sticking out and paws outstretched.
It’s difficult not to think this whole thing is a joke but van Velzen says the multitude of health benefits is nothing to laugh at.
“It helps jogging of your internal organs. It helps with digestion,” she begins, listing off other effects including improved circulation and better oxygenation of blood, even improved self-confidence. Of course, people just plain feel good after laughing.
Raymond Como has only been out a few times and confesses he still prefers a good joke. That didn’t stop him from clowning around, even rolling around on the floor much to the amusement of everybody, including van Velzen.
“It really makes me happy to be here,” the 83-year-old stated. “It’s just fun.”
The laughter yoga session takes place every Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. and is open to the public.
River Ridge Seniors Community living facility is located at 78C McKenney Ave. For more information about the residence or its programs, please call 780-470-3700 or visit www.riverridgeseniors.ca.
