Medical Advisory NOTE: Laughter exercise is light exercise, created by adding laughter to familiar movements, then going through the motions for 20 -30 seconds. A typical laughter club session will have a routine of 7-10 laughter exercises. Normally, our exercises are kept to mild and moderate levels. Everyone is encouraged to participate at their own comfort level, never beyond that. Doing the exercises should be fun, without pain or discomfort. Participants are strongly encouraged to stop or slow down immediately if they feel any discomfort. Typically, chairs are available so members can even do the exercises while seated, or they are welcome to 'sit this one out' at any time. Even so, therapeutic laughter exercises as conducted in a Laughter Club or in the workshop training “How To Create Therapeutic Laughter and Laughter Clubs” may not be suitable for everyone. If you have any doubt as to the advisability of your doing mild or moderate exercises, you should consult your physician ahead of time. Everyone is welcome to observe the exercises and then participate in the rest of the session, which typically includes a discussion of "Good-Hearted Living" to develop attitudes that are stress-resistant, and a few group affirmations to bring closure to the session. The following examples of contra-indications are for guidance of participants and not meant to be an exhaustive list. Please read this carefully so that you can make an informed decision for yourself or your child as to whether or not, and to what extent, you/she/he should participate. During the workshop/session, people are instructed to laugh comfortably. For some, this may become vigorous so that all the residual air in the lungs is emptied and is replaced by oxygen-rich fresh air. Hearty laughter involves some physical strain and rise in abdominal pressure. Some people, in order to get more benefits, become over-enthusiastic and do forceful laughter by over-straining themselves. People with the following complications are advised caution and to get medical advice prior to joining in a laughter therapy session. If you have any of these conditions or any other medical condition that might make participation questionable, please get medical advice. HERNIA: Hernia is protrusion of abdominal contents through the muscle wall of the abdominal cavity. Those with recent inguinal (groin) hernia or abdominal incision (operative scar) hernia should avoid attending laughter sessions because laughter produces additional abdominal pressure and may aggravate the condition. A person with this condition should be assessed by a surgeon for fitness before attending laughter therapy. HEART DISEASE WITH CHEST PAIN: Heart patients who get chest pain while walking or during routine activity, should not participate. Patients whose conditions have stabilized and who can walk for 30-45 minutes without difficulty are fit to join the laughter session. Avoid laughter therapy until cleared by your physician. PREGNANCY: Pregnant woman, even without any illness, but who feel uneasy after a laughter session should discontinue their attendance and consult a doctor SEVERE COLD AND FLU: Those suffering from a viral common cold with running nose along with fever and chest infection should stay away from the group for 2-3 days till the infection and fever settle down.