With the cost of living going up, the economy winding down and Christmas fast approaching more and more people are turning to yoga for a little light relief from all the stress.
Laughter yoga may look like a bit of a joke but one minute of deep belly laughter is meant to be equivalent to about 10 minutes on the rower.
The activity combines breathing techniques and slightly unconventional exercises.
Experts say the brain can' t tell the difference between a fake chuckle and a real rip snorter and participants say that when they do all the exercises at some point natural laughter kicks in.
Clinical psychologist and laughter leader Malcolm Robertson says when people laugh they are exercising 400 muscles in their body.
"Some people will see it as a little bit odd, but the benefits outweigh any self consciousness," Robertson says.
Laughter yoga started in India about 13 years ago and in New Zealand, clubs are sprouting up in most main centres.
They may look a little silly, but with all the benefits participants may yet have the last laugh.
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