Hilarious … Keith Smoult is looking on the brighter side of life as the Delahey community centre’s Laughing Group insructor. 55539 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By Belinda Nolan
KEITH Smoult may describe himself as a “serious man” but anyone walking past his Delahey studio might be surprised to hear it.
On any given Friday, Mr Smoult will cackle like a villain, chuckle like Santa Claus, or flap his arms like a giant bird.
And he enjoys every minute of it.
To the untrained eye the yoga instructor’s behaviour may seem erratic but it’s all part of the plan to dish out the best medicine in Brimbank.
Mr Smoult is the instructor of a new Laughing Group which has started up at the Delahey Community Centre.
Attendees are taught a range of different laughs including “ha, ha, ha”, “ho, ho, ho” and “he, he, he,” as a way of relieving stress and promoting happiness.
Mr Smoult stumbled across the art of laughing during his yoga studies and is keen to pass on the infectious habit to his students.
Ironically, the instructor said he did not consider himself to be a particularly jovial person but enjoyed a laugh every now and then.
“In some ways I’m quite a serious person but I do appreciate a good laugh,” Mr Smoult said.
Some of his favourite exercises include laughing while flapping his arms like a bird and group laughing.
“Laughing is a great reliever of stress,” Mr Smoult said.
“It releases endorphins into your body so it actually makes you feel positive and happy.”
The classes will be held every Friday between 11am and 11.30am at the Delahey Community Centre until 17 December.
Entry is by gold coin donation.
