Yesterday, at MES, all smiles for Laughter Yoga

Students raise their arms and take centering breaths during a Laughter Yoga session led by Robert Rivest on Tuesday at MES. (Harrison Thorp photos)

MILTON - Students at Milton Elementary School learned a wonderful thing on Tuesday afternoon.

They learned all about laughing, and how it can bring you joy, peace and relaxation.

Plus, laughing is just plain fun.

It's called Laughter Yoga, and Robert Rivest was the laugh sensei, teaching students how laughing, combined with deep centering breaths and calming movements can help them stay well and focused.

Rivest used his mime and entertainment skills to keep students engaged and learning.

"The kids were great, it was a lot of fun," Rivest said after the show. "It was great to entertain them and fun to see how they appreciated it."

Robert Rivest leads students in a joyful clapping exercise on Tuesday afternoon at Milton Elementary School.

How does Laughter Yoga work? Most of the Laughter in a Laughter Yoga session is initiated in the group with full body laughter exercises, clapping, eye contact and youthful playfulness, according to Rivest's website, click here. "The "simulated" laughter soon turns into real, spontaneous and contagious laughter that brings much more oxygen to our body and brain, lifting our spirits and carrying over into our work, school and social lives."

Rivest said it's important in today's fast-paced world that kids, not just adults, take time to relax and nurture their inner self.