Jane DeBatty and her co-workers at the Oxford Club Spa (1616 17th St., in the Oxford Hotel) have a slogan: “Laugh now. Ask me how.”
They’re not telling jokes or giving out passes to the Comedy Works. They’re practicing laughter yoga, another new variation in the always-trendy yoga scene.
“It’s a global movement for health, happiness and world peace,” says DeBatty, the Oxford Club’s yoga program coordinator.
Lofty goals indeed, but practitioners of laughter yoga believe charity begins at home. Created by Indian doctor Madan Kataria, laughter yoga uses giggles to help relieve stress, lift bad moods and get a workout – no contortions required.
“You don’t have to bring a mat or shape yourself into a pretzel,” DeBatty says.
It’s all very nice, but what does it have to do with clubbing? Just add alcohol.
To celebrate the Oxford Club’s 20th anniversary, the Oxford Club Spa is offering a combo-pack of laughter yoga followed by a wine tasting at McCormick’s Fish House (1659 Wazee St., in the Oxford Hotel).
Wine’s health benefits are well-documented: lower cholesterol, higher antioxidants. An hour of laughter yoga and a glass or two of wine is a relaxing ending to any weekend and a happy beginning to the work week.
“Laughter + Wine = Healthy Body, Healthy Mind” begins at 5 p.m. Sunday, and will continue on the first and third Sundays of each month. $25 gets a yoga class and wine tasting. Even better, there’s a two-for-one deal through June 10, so bring a pal.
Yoga classes tend to be quiet, sober affairs. Guffaws do not belong in the room. But this brand of yoga uses laughter as a tool for breath control, one of yoga’s most important principles.
DeBatty says there are four steps in a laughter yoga class: clapping, deep breathing and stretching, laughter exercises and laughter meditation.
“We do all different types of laughter,” she says. “The volcanic laugh, the Santa laugh … pretty soon it becomes contagious.”
She likens it to having a gut-busting laugh session with friends: “By the end, you’re actually tired and your abs hurt.”
If you want more than a glass of wine after class, the Oxford Club offers packages for dinner at McCormick’s or a night’s stay at the Oxford Hotel.
DeBatty says drop-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended. Call 303-628-5435 to save a spot, or for more information.
Crazy legs
It’s the usual madness on Broadway this weekend. With nice weather in the forecast again, expect the crowds to be crazy and the rooftop patios packed.
Tonight, London DJ and producer Jesse Rose spins an eclectic mix of house music at The Shelter (1037 Broadway). Tickets are $10 in advance at groovetickets.com.
Elsewhere, electro-house DJ Austin Leeds visits The Church (1160 Lincoln St.) tonight, and big-beat staples The Crystal Method drop into Vinyl (1082 Broadway) Saturday. Advance tickets for The Crystal Method are $15 and are available at groovetickets.com.
Also tonight, Ryan Dykstra Nightlife presents Mastermind, an all-night rager at the Palladium Events Center (1300 W. 62nd Ave.). Big names like George Acosta, Q-bert, Bunny and DJ Craze are slated to man the decks, so get tickets early.
Advance tickets are $30 at groovetickets.com; doors open at 7 p.m.
Meet, greet and be merry
Social climbers, take note: A new networking service makes its Denver debut Tuesday at Le Rouge (1448 Market St.).
Already swinging in more than 20 American cities, Netparty is an after-work shindig for young professionals looking to make business – and personal – contacts in a relaxed setting.
The evening’s choreographed so the first couple of hours are chilled out. Drink specials, free hors d’oeuvres and, most important, subdued music set a conversational mood. As the evening progresses and drinks take effect, a DJ brings it up a notch.
Tuesday’s party starts at 6 p.m. Get in for free by RSVPing at denver.netparty.com. Otherwise, it’s $15 at the door.
