It's hardly news that a case of the giggles is good for a healthy body andmind, but 2007's new yoga classes claim that laughter really is the best medicine after all

IT MAY be the most depressing time of year, but now everyone can laugh off their new year blues (and bellies) quite literally by taking up laughter yoga. The practice, introduced to Ireland in 2003 and now almost nationwide, teaches participants to take a workout through the art of laughter alone. And according to its founder Mary Mitchell, it's good for practically everything.

"One minute of laughter is the equivalent of 10 minutes on a rowing machine because it sets all the internal organs jogging, " she told the Sunday Tribune. "It's a fantastic workout. As well as that, it clears the respiratory tract, so is excellent for people with asthma or chest problems.

Laughter also works as an aid against depression, as it releases happy chemicals. It's good for pain relief and the immune system as well."

Mitchell, a practising hypnotherapist and psychotherapist, trained with world laughter yoga leader Dr Madan Kataria in 2002, before introducing the concept in Ireland.

"My first class was held in Mayo on a wet and windy evening in 2003, " she recalled. "But 34 people still showed up. Everyone needs laughter in their life and it's good for everyone, from children to the elderly."

Since then, Mitchell has trained a couple of hundred students in laughter therapy, many of whom have gone on to give workshops around the country.

"The classes start with simulated laughter, because if you act happy, your body doesn't know you're acting and you really begin to feel it, " she said. "Real laughing soon follows because it's so contagious and the class involves playing games, hopping, jumping and general childlike playfulness."

Each session lasts between 20-30 minutes, after which each participant should be fairly exhausted, but exhilarated, according to Mitchell.

"It's a fantastic way to start the new year, and we've already been getting enquiries on people anxious to try something new, " she said.

The arrival of 2007 has prompted many people to take the plunge and make some changes in their lives. Dublin life coach Jackie Fitzpatrick is particularly busy at this time of year with clients seeking help.

"A lot of people who are stuck in a rut need an impetus to take action, and as the new year is a recognised time to make a new slate, January feels like a safe time for them to step out, " she said. "If they want to make a drastic change in their life, they won't be challenged as much as they might be at other times in the year."

Most clients come looking for help on changing their career, with relationship difficulties, or with self-esteem and confidence issues. Sessions last an hour and most people usually have one or two sessions, although others may come back on a more regular basis.

"Life coaching is not about giving advice, but rather helping the person to ask themselves the right questions about where they are in their life and why they are there, " said Fitzpatrick. "So many people find themselves stuck in a pattern of being and thinking that they find it hard to make changes. They're stuck in a comfort zone, but there is little comfort there.

Gyms and weight loss groups such as Weight Watchers and Curves have already been inundated with new clients. "This year we are particularly busy with people looking for membership, " said Martha Zelazowska of Crunch Fitness. "Any time a person decides to join a gym is a good time, but at the start of the new year, people have had time to think about what they want to do. They have probably eaten too much over Christmas and feel like exercising and getting fit. We always have a lot more people in here in January and February."

As part of its new year campaign to get smokers to kick the habit, Boots has introduced a lung age calculator, the Pumolife Smoke Machine, into 23 of its stores nationwide. These calculate a person's lung age and help detect early signs of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

In her work as a hypnotherapist, Mary Mitchell has already received several calls in the past week from people looking to quit smoking in 2007.

"January is one of the busiest months of the year, when many people are struggling to stick to their new year's resolutions, " she said.