Ipswich residents are being encouraged to laugh, breathe, and create their way to better mental health thanks to a new creative therapy venture that brings together massage, art, and laughter—literally.
Local creative Helene, founder of BRAATS (Back Rubs and Art Therapy Stuff), has launched a new wellness studio on Brisbane Street and kicked off Laugh Club Ipswich, a free weekly event held every Wednesday at 12pm in Memorial Park.
Appearing on West Bremer Radio’s “Get Your Arts Into Gear” with Glen Smith and Brad “Sparky” Sparks, Helene said her unique approach blends decades of experience in health and the arts with a desire to connect community through play.
“Laughter clubs started in India in 1995 and they’re about cathartic release, breath control, and playfulness for grown-ups,” she explained. “We laugh with friends easily—but we need to make space for it intentionally too.”
The public laugh sessions are not joke-based but instead use techniques from laughter yoga, incorporating breath work, movement, and joyful noise to activate the vagus nerve and release feel-good chemicals like endorphins and dopamine.
“Ten minutes of laughter is like three minutes on a rowing machine,” Helene said. “It’s literally aerobic—and cheaper than a gym!”
Her Brisbane Street studio offers massage therapy, creative art therapy, and community-based wellness activities. Despite just launching, Helene has already begun offering free community programs like Laugh Club to build connection and promote emotional resilience in the wake of ongoing social stress and post-COVID fatigue.
“The world needs more laughter,” she said. “It’s healing, it’s free, and it’s contagious.”
Residents can join Laugh Club at Memorial Park, corner of Limestone and Nicholas Streets every Wednesday at noon, or learn more via braats.com.au and the Laugh Club Ipswich Facebook page.
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