A COUPLE tasked with 'cheering up the nation' was invited to demonstrate a laughter therapy session on national TV.
Husband and wife team, Clive and Jackie St James, from Sandbanks, appeared on This Morning, hosted by Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary, to spread some happiness following the result of the UEFA Euro final, teaching people about the power of laughing.
Laughter is said to release chemicals such as dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin.
Clive and Jackie are firm believers that laughter is really the best medicine.
Clive said: "When you remember that laughter is free and on tap, you can supercharge yourself at any time."
Clive realised the power of comedy when he noticed how it could lift his mother's spirits during her struggle with chronic depression. Seeing how comedian Tommy Cooper could make her laugh, Clive began doing impressions of Cooper to bring a smile to her face.
He later joined the comedy circuit, where he broke the world record for the most jokes told in 60 seconds.
However, laughter therapy is no joke.
Today, the pair lead people through exercises that involve breathing, stretching, knee slapping, and, of course, laughing.
Clive said: "With our skills of teaching people to laugh for no reason, breathe and stretch, you can change your life."
Laughter therapy was started in 1995 by Dr Madan Kataria, a doctor in Mumbai, India, who made Clive and Jackie 'laughter yoga ambassadors for the world.'
Dr Kataria made the discovery that the brain is unable to tell the difference between real and fake laughter.
Clive said: "If you're ever at a dinner party or a business party and someone makes a joke, even if it's not funny, seize the opportunity to really laugh, out loud. You will feel great, and they will too."
Clive and Jackie offer regular yoga laughter sessions, and they go to businesses and groups to transfer their 'life-changing skill.'
The pair said they are looking for a more permanent space to offer regular classes.
Visit their website for more information on Laughter Yoga with the UK's No.1 Laughter Yoga Couple (laughter-yoga.co.uk).
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