Those who laugh… last
Ladies of laughter are ready to get the community uplifted and laughing.
VERWOERDPARK – Nicolene and June Holtzhausen started laughter therapy training after Nicolene suffered a brain injury in a serious car accident in 2009.
“I had to learn how to be a person from the beginning, walk and talk because I broke my neck and was in coma for 43 days, however, my story is a bad one gone right,” she said.
Her dad heard about the therapy on RSG and after many deliberations she and her mom decided to go for training. After a few months they became laughter therapists and thankfully she can now earn an income as her previous job was just too much to handle.
“Through my training, I found my funny! I could never accept that there was something wrong with my brain and my temper was very short, although laughter has helped me accomplish a lot,” she said.
She started attending Headway in Hyde Park – a place that helps people who have suffered brain injuries. Gareth Cliff is also a patron there and works closely with Nicolene.
Laugh therapy is very beneficial for many things because it releases different hormones and endorphins which act as a stress reliever. It lifts the body, mind and emotions and puts things into a positive light.
Laughter therapy helps with interaction, communication, boosts performance under stress, emotional intelligence, leadership skills, innovation and creativity.
Three minutes of laughter is equivalent to 10 minutes of cardiovascular rowing. “The brain cannot distinguish between genuine or fake laughter and therefore still releases the needed endorphins,” said Nicolene.
June would like to start a laughter club/laughter yoga and Nicolene will take on the corporate world in Alberton, as business, jobs and work proves to be stressful on many levels.
“I hope to become the queen of laughter and my mom, queen mother of laughter. I want to bring laughter back to the community and uplift the residents of Alberton and surrounds,” said Nicolene.
If you would like to book a session or find out more about laughter therapy, contact Nicolene 074 869 7177 or June 082 347 7957 or e-mail ladiesoflaughter0@gmail.com
