Hundreds of people gather in Lotus Hill Park in southern Shenzhen to laugh out loud together every morning. They belong to the local "Love to Laugh" club, which aims to promote health and harmony.

Guangzhou Daily quotes club founder Mr Zhang saying he used to have a bad temper and fight with his wife every day. But once he was introduced to laughter therapy, he started feeling better about himself. The tension in his home has eased since he and his wife started practicing laughing exercises every day.

To provide a professional foundation for the club, Zhang traveled to Bombay to study Indian laughter yoga. Since he returned, he has developed more than 30 positions for the novel therapy.

The club's members vary from lonely empty-nesters to stressed-out office workers, but all share the belief that laughing makes them feel better.

Laughter therapy is generally considered helpful in reducing stress and tension, as well as decreasing blood pressure. According to laughteryoga.org, there are now more than 5,000 laughter clubs around the world.

(CRI November 6, 2006)