A TOWNHILL woman has told the Press that the power of Laughter Yoga has helped her “let go of the demons from the past”.

Pauline Ginnelly (43) said she had a violent and abusive upbringing and after the break down of a long-term relationship last year was left homeless and jobless with little self esteem and confidence.

But instead of staying in a dark place, Pauline learned to laugh again and now teaches people to chuckle along with her – to the point its uncontrollable and your tummy hurts!

She said, “To say it changed me completely in one session would be exaggerating but straight away I started to have a different perspective on life.” Sessions require participants to laugh out loud and to continue giggling – releasing good chemicals around the body.

Pauline recalled, “My past is the full reason why I got into therapy.

“I had a violent and abusive upbringing. Then I was married and I thought that everything was fine. “It can be years later when you realise it is not.

“I went to therapy and further on from that started working with children, old people, disabled individuals and sex offenders. “At the end of last year I came out of a toxic relationship and lost everything apart from my two little dogs. “I was really, really down but with the help of Women’s Aid I was rehoused. “Around that time it was the lowest that I have ever felt. I forgot how to smile, I didn’t go outside and I wasn’t sleeping because of stress. “I was smoking too much, drinking too much and not anything good for myself.” Pauline was introduced to Laughter Yoga – an exercise which shares the similar breathing requirements as the normally practised yoga but not the poses – by a friend.

Suitable for all fitness levels, and all different kinds of chucklers, the workshops are a combination of laughter and yoga breathing exercises to increase the amount of oxygen into the body whilst being playful, helping participants feel healthier, energised and more alive.

She now works as a Laughter Yoga instructor – holding the only class in Dunfermline.

Pauline continued, “I travelled to Findhorn to experience this concept for myself and I was immediately blown away by how powerfully positive it really is.

“I couldn’t get enough of it and took part in online sessions regularly and within a short time I knew I wanted to know everything I could about this enjoyable exercise/therapy.

“So I completed my own training with Dr Maran Kataria and became a certified teacher.

“The transformation in my own personal life is nothing less than fantastic.

“To me Laughter Yoga hasn’t changed my life – it has changed me. I believe that life is about your own perception of it – it hasn’t changed any of my life’s circumstances but has changed the way I perceive them.

“I was so excited about this concept I wanted to share it with everyone and I have been running a regular club from my little flat but space is against me.

“As the word spreads about the benefits, more and more people are interested in experiencing the group for themselves and the need for a public space became impossible to ignore.

“So far everyone who has taken a class has come back – even if they were shy to begin with.

“Laughter is contagious and like a domino effect!” Pauline has been holding sessions from her home but starting on Monday she will be holding a class at the Townhill Community Centre, Main Street, from 7-8pm.

The first workshop is free with the usual price being £5. Sessions are aimed at people aged 14 and above and no special fitness clothes are required.

For more information or to book a Laughter Yoga session, contact Pauline on 01383 747926 or email Pauline@Success4Self.co.uk.

Visit www.Success4Self.co.uk for more details.