Looking for laughter yoga near you? We can help you find a laughter club in Queensland!
Social laughter clubs form the grassroots of the global laughter yoga movement.
What started with 5 people laughing together in a park in Mumbai, India, in 1995 is now practised in many countries — from Iran to Canada, from Taiwan to Rwanda, from UK to Chile… and yes, here in Australia.
Your local laughter club is typically neighbourhood or community-based, offering free or low cost group laughter yoga sessions.
The Benefits of your Local Laughter Club
A social laughter club is inclusive, accessible and affordable.
There are so many physical, psychological and social benefits of laughter yoga. The health and healing benefits will be different for every single person who participates regularly.
Your local community laughter club has the power to reach beyond the health benefits to form effective networks of caring-sharing relationships. They create real social connections. It’s one thing to have hundreds of virtual friends on social media platforms but the reality is human beings do need human contact to be happy and healthy. Social laughter clubs have proved valuable in meeting this need.
Plus the laughter club environment is a positive safe emotional environment in which to laugh out loud!
What to expect in a laughter club session
In Australia, most laughter clubs meet on a weekly basis and some less frequently. Some meet outdoors in parks. Others are held in halls or training rooms.
A laughter club session may run for 30 to 60 minutes.
Some facilitators may do floor exercises; others won’t. It depends on the ‘laughter leader’ and the venue.
Who runs a laughter club?
Social laughter clubs generally are run by qualified unpaid volunteers. They will have completed at least the Certified Laughter Yoga Leader training.
Since COVID-19 made its appearance in 2020, some laughter clubs also meet online.
The listing below is of social laughter clubs— physical and online—known to operate in Queensland. Please contact the club coordinator for specific information.
Physical locations of laughter clubs in Queensland, 2024
At the risk of sounding ‘serious’, please note that each of these is an ‘official’ laughter club that has trained laughter leaders and public liability insurance. Others may (indeed, do) exist, flying under the radar as a giggling gaggle of friends. That’s great but without insurance safeguards, we cannot promote their activity 🙁
GREATER BRISBANE
The Gap Laughter Club
When: Every Saturday morning. 9am from 5 October 2024
Where: Walton Bridge Reserve on Waterworks Road, The Gap. The driveway entrance is opposite Jevons Street. Please try to arrive for sign on by 8.50am.
Cost: $2 per adult, kids free
More details: Check The Gap Laughter Club Facebook pages for updates and further details.
Sandgate Laughter Club
More details: email laughter leader Helen Suchting
North Lakes Laughter Club
When: 6pm, first Thursdays of the month (resumes 1 February 2024)
Where: North Lakes Library, 10 The Corso, North Lakes
Cost: Free
Laughter facilitator: HeatherJoy Campbell. Send an email for more details.
Redcliffe Peninsula (Bay City Laughers)
When: Wednesdays, 10am (school terms) Last Laughs for 2024: 4 December
Where: Bicentennial Park, 229 Hornibrook Esplanade, Woody Point
Cost: $4
The City of Moreton Bay supports this club through inclusion in its Healthy & Active Moreton program.
Laughter facilitator: HeatherJoy Campbell. Send an email for more details.
Wynnum-Manly Laughter Club
When: 4th Tuesday of the month, 9.30am
Where: Drevesen Park, Manly
Cost: donation of up to $5 appreciated
Laughter leader: Dani. Find our more on the Club Facebook page
Gold Coast
Now with TWO great locations both delivered by laughter yoga leader Shelley
Broadbeach Laughter Club
When: 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month
Time: 9am
Where: Cascade Gardens, 2690 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach
Cost: Free
Benowa Laughter Club
When: 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month
Time: 9am
Where: Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens
Time: 9am
Cost: Free
Both Gold Coast laughter clubs are supported by the Gold Coast City Council’s Active Parks program.
More details: Check out laughter leader Shelley’s Wellbeing with Laughter Facebook page
Sunshine Coast
Caloundra Laughter Club
When: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month, 10.30am
Where: CCSA, 1 Nutley Street Caloundra
Cost: $10/$5
This activity is part of Council’s Healthy Sunshine Coast program .
More details: Check out laughter leader Po Mei Kwong’s Facebook page
Scenic Rim
Beaudesert Community Laughter Club
When: Every Sunday, 9am
Where: Jubilee Park
This activity is supported under the Scenic Rim Regional Council’s ‘Be Healthy and Active’ Program.
More details: check out laughter leader Nerelie Teese’s laughter club Facebook page (or call her on 0427725065).
WESTERN DOWNS
Chinchilla Laughter Club
When: Mondays, 9.30am (please arrive 15 minutes earlier for sign in)
Where: CWA Hall, 53 Heeney Street
More details: check out laughter leader Sib Austin’s Facebook page or call 0407 140531.
Miles Laughter Club
When: Wednesdays, 9.30am (please arrive 15 minutes earlier for sign in)
Where: Columboola room, 29 Dawson Street
More details: check out laughter leader Sib Austin’s Facebook page or call 0407 140531.
Tara Laughter Club
When: Thursdays, 11am (please arrive 15 minutes earlier for sign in)
Where: the old JWs Hall, corner Baddleys Lane and Tucker Street
More details: check out laughter leader Sib Austin’s Facebook page or call 0407 140531.
Fraser Coast Laughter Club
When: Thursdays, 9.45am
Where: 28 Totness Street, Torquay
Check the club’s Facebook page for contacts and updates
ROCKHAMPTON
When: First Tuesday of the month (except November – Melbourne Cup Day)
Time: 1pm (30 minute session)
Where: Rockhampton Southside Library, 230 Bolsover Street.
Your Laughter Yoga leader: Michelle Ryan. Send an email for more information.
FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND
Atherton Tablelands Laughter Club
When: Mondays 4-5pm (as at 28 May 2024)
Where: Halloran’s Hill Lookout, Atherton
Cost: Gold coin donation
More details: Call your laughter yoga leader Annie O’Loughlin on 0404982002.
ONLINE
Every day of the week: Find the day and time to work with you here.
Why is there no laughter club near me?
Social laughter clubs are run entirely by trained volunteers committed to ‘giving back’ to their community.
If you want a laughter club in your neighbourhood, consider training as a laughter leader with a couple of friends and forming one
Find laughter club locations elsewhere in Australia.
For further information, please call HeatherJoy Campbell on 0412 742 593 or email heatherjoy@thehappydemic.com.au.