When a group of strangers walked into a room on the Sunshine Coast and were told they needed to laugh on cue, there was some trepidation.
Despite their nervousness, Ann and David Bird were keen to give Laughter Yoga a go.
The couple had recently moved from Victoria and saw it as an opportunity to meet people.
"We know laughing is good for us," Mrs Bird said.
"We had one in front of the television last night," Mr Bird chimed in with a chuckle.
Wellness practitioner Lynette Maree delivered the class.
She took participants through a series of role-playing activities — making a cup of tea, getting dressed, taking a magic pill, an electric shock handshake — and then asked them to laugh, while making eye contact with others in the room.
Even though participants are asked to laugh on cue, the instructor said the laughing action stimulated the release of serotonin, which makes people feel better.
"The body doesn't recognise if you're laughing for real or if you're pretend laughing so it has the same sort of health benefits whether you're laughing for real or you're pretending," she said.
And laughter can became contagious in a group setting.
"It allows the body to release all the feel good chemicals and it reduces stress and anxiety.
"As adults we don't have a lot of fun, but a lot of pain in our lives so it's actually a great way to bring that childlike aspect of ourselves."
Laughter Yoga was developed by Dr Madan Kataria, a medical doctor from Mumbai in 1995.
Since then, thousands of laughing yoga clubs have developed around the world and have popped up in communities, nursing homes and hospitals.
A class isn't made up of traditional yoga moves such as the pretzel or downward dog, but rather focuses on gentle stretches and deep breathing.
Wellness practitioner Lynette Maree said daily practise had benefits for any age group.
"It's really about coming back into your body and just learning how to laugh and bring it into day to day life.
"Even if you're stuck in traffic, yes if you laugh out loud you might think that the next person at the lights might think you're crazy but actually you can do silent laughter."
"When we laugh the internal organs actually get stimulated as well.
"It's great for health and wellbeing and just to laugh."
She said any uncertainty about laughing on cue in a room of strangers was short lived.
"It just brings on that natural contagious laughter."
And that's something these first-timers on the Sunshine Coast could vouch for.
What's the verdict?
Susan Brown agreed the laughter swept involuntarily across the room.
"I think once we all gave ourselves permission to laugh, then you don't feel silly and inhibited," she said.
Rhonda Doonan added: "You step out of your comfort zone and have a go."
Mr Bird said it was good fun.
"It was strange at first but good when we got into it," he said.
Mrs Bird said it was actually easier than she expected and "it was lovely to laugh."
At the conclusion of the one-hour class, the group said they felt a connection among them that they didn't have before.
"No wonder it's called the best medicine," Ms Brown said.
