Laughable Exercise

Laughter yoga classes at UCSF (SF Gate photo)

Yoga is renowned for its health benefits, but its practitioners rarely look like they're having a good time.

Students seem to enjoy themselves, however, at sessions of a yoga offshoot, laughter yoga. No, the instructor doesn't crack Henny Youngman one-liners. Apparently, laughing without humor can be learned.

Anyone can laugh for no reason without relying on humor, jokes or comedy and one can feel the benefits on the very first session....We initiate laughter as a body exercise in a group and with eye contact and childlike playfulness. It soon turns into real and contagious laughter.

If yoga's mental, physical and spiritual benefits don't appeal, at least one can learn how to be more convincing in feigning laughter, a skill that is useful throughout life.

Note: Oprah seems to approve.