Northern Ireland’s leading music and arts festival, Sunflowerfest, which runs from 5th – 7th August 2016 at Tubby’s Farm, Hillsborough, will be teaming up with advocates of Laughter Yoga to co-host another Guinness World Record attempt for the Largest Laughter Yoga class!
Having won the title in 2014, the festival was moved off the top spot last year by a group in Hong Kong who set a new record.
While over 400 people participated to break the laughing record in 2014, this year the festival aims to beat the current record of 1030 and needs people to come to Sunflowerfest’s Main Arena and join organisers Kathy Barenskie, Nuala McKeever, and Irish singing duo the Twisted Sisters in a 30 minute laughter yoga class on Sunday 7th August at 11am, to ‘laugh’ their way back to the title.
Speaking about the world record attempt, Kathy Barenskie, Bliss co-ordinator said, “This unusual event was inspired by Jackie Ingram, a laughter yoga teacher, and Siobhan Bogues, founder and director of the Lighthouse Centre, Belfast, who both sadly passed away in recent years after battling cancer and we hope to regain the title in their honour.”
The concept behind Laughter Yoga is that it is a unique form of exercise that gives us a complete, holistic workout – influencing our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. With this in mind the World Record attempt is also an opportunity to raise awareness for Bliss partners Lifeline 0808 808 8000, Northern Ireland’s 24/7 crisis helpline and counselling service. Lifeline is available for people of all ages and from all walks of life who may experience feelings of distress and despair and need to speak to qualified crisis counsellors to access immediate support.
Offering a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the vibrant weekend-long festival, Sunflowerfest Bliss area, will feature complementary therapies, all-inclusive yoga sessions, and a tranquil chill-out zone. This year we will use this attempt to raise the profile of LIFELINE, Northern Ireland’s only free phone crisis helpline and counselling service available 24/7 on 0808 808 8000. Lifeline is for people of all ages and all walks of life who at times may be in distress and in need of emotional support and often have nowhere to turn.
Claire O’Prey from Lifeline said: “Sunflowerfest attracts a cross section of people from across Northern Ireland and beyond, Lifeline is delighted to be involved with the 2016 festival. Our staff will be present over the weekend and we look forward to meeting new people at our promotional stand, to tell them more about how Lifeline service can help them, their friends and family . The event also offers us an excellent opportunity to promote the 24/7 free-phone number 0808 808 8000, recommending to all who attend the festival to add the number to their phone before they leave the festival.”