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CNN Live Saturday

India: Laugh for Life

Aired May 11, 2002 - 22:55   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: In India, they are laughing for their lives, or at least for their health.

CNN's Elena Ferman goes inside a laughing club.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELENA FERMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: These people have gathered here in a parking lot to giggle, shriek, and laugh. But it is no joke. It is a laughing club, one of many popping up around India. Convinced that a good chuckle is good for you, dozens get together everyday to yuck it up.

Laughter can relieve joint pains, backaches, headaches and lung ailments, says the organizer of this club in the city of Riper (ph). In recent years, clinical studies have shown that laughter may also play a role in reducing stress hormones, lowering blood pressure, improving circulation, not to mention boosting the mood.

"The purpose of going to the laughing club is for positive attitude and to meet people," says this man, adding, "I have benefited a lot from the exercises here." And a good laugh is also good exercise. Some doctors even say that 20 seconds of chuckling is worth three minutes of rowing. And an hour of cackling burns 500 calories. In a world of miracle drugs, alternative medicine and self help literature, the idea of laughter therapy is remarkably simple.

But if might help you live longer, laughing clubs are no laughing matter.

Elena Ferman, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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