Giggles¹ and guffaws² filled the halls of an elderly home in Manila as its residents gathered for an unusual therapy session.

菲律宾马尼拉一家老人院的大厅里常常充满了人们的各种笑声，这是老人们聚在一起接受一项特别的治疗。

The seniors were practicing laughter yoga, a form of exercise that aims to help them awaken³ their senses and punctuate⁴（不时打断，强调） their long bouts⁵ of solitude⁶（孤独，隐居） .

Guidance counsellor Paolo Trinidad says laughing away problems will promote a healthier mindset, and he has embarked⁷ on a mission to spread the laughter and the good vibes（共鸣，气氛） .

Laughter yoga involves self-triggered laughter that is not necessarily initiated⁸ by humour. The exercise routines combine yoga breathing techniques and laughter simulation with stretching, chanting and role playing.

"That's the gist⁹（要旨） of laughter yoga. We will be laughing without any reason, no jokes. We will be laughing because we want to be healthy. We have to have a good mind, good mindset," laughter yoga professor Paolo Trinidad said.

Mr Trinidad conducts laughter yoga sessions in other institutions, including an abused children's shelter, a cancer ward¹⁰（病房，保卫） , schools and corporate¹¹ offices.