There is a free club in Denver that is infusing laughter with some principals of yoga.

Those who participate said they hope the laughter is contagious.

Harry Hamlin even did it before his performance on Dancing With The Stars.

It's called laughter yoga, a name that is somewhat deceiving.

"There's no yoga poses. It's all stimulated laughter exercises," said laughter club leader Meredith Vaughn.

It's a trend that started in India several years ago.

"It originated with a family practice doctor name Medan Kataria," said Vaughn. "What started 11 years ago in 1995 as a little laughter club in a park has now blossomed into a global phenomenon."

Laughing, whether genuine or forced, has had a big impact on some people.

"This has brought a lot more joy and laughter into my life," said laughter yoga leader Linda Trenbeath.

"You have a lot of pressures and stresses and this just allows you to play for a while," said laughter yoga leader David Vaughn.

"It's opening the heart and bringing more joy," said laughter yoga leader Betsy Shaw.

"Now when something happens, instead of clutching my heart and gasping, I will laugh," said Meredith Vaughn.

Even first-timers said they can feel a difference.

"I thought I would have trouble laughing but when I first got here it was spontaneous and I felt so relaxed," said participant Jim Bonham. "I feel happy."

Believe it or not, laughter can be the best medicine.

"I find laughter yoga to be excellent aerobic exercise," said Trenbeath.

"It oxygenates all the cells, tissues and organs," said Vaughn.

"It works your lungs. It works your heart. It gets all of the happy chemicals going. It's very good for the immune system," said Trenbeath.

"I think if more people laugh, it would be a much better world," said Bonham.

Scientific research has shown health benefits of laughter range from strengthening the immune system to reducing food cravings to helping blood vessels function better.

No matter what a person's age or profession is, the laughter leaders say this is for everyone.

For more information on the laughter yoga club we visited in Denver call 720-946-9712 or email a local club at mere@vonchad.com or for more information on laughter yoga in general, visit www.laughteryoga.org.