What is Laughter Yoga?

We’ve all heard the saying that laughter is good medicine…

Laughter Yoga is a revolutionary idea – simple and profound. An exercise routine that is sweeping the world and is a complete well-being workout. Developed by a medical doctor from India, Dr. Madan Kataria, it has spread across 100 countries.

• You can laugh with special guided techniques: It’s easy. Anyone can laugh for no reason without relying on humour, jokes or comedy and one can feel the benefits in the very first session!

• Real and contagious laughter: We initiate laughter as a body exercise in a group and with eye contact and childlike playfulness. It soon turns into real and contagious laughter.

• Oxygenates your body and brain: Laughter Yoga is a combination of deep breathing exercises from yoga and laughter exercises, which oxygenates our body and brain, making us feel more healthy and energetic.

Scientifically Proven Benefits

The concept of Laughter Yoga is based on the scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter. One gets the same physiological and psychological benefits.

Clinical research conducted at Bangalore, India and in the United States has proved that Laughter lowers the level of stress hormones (epinephrine, cortisol, etc) in the blood.

Further Benefits of Laughter:

• Reduces levels of stress hormones in the body

• Boosts the immune system

• Is an effective aerobic exercise

• Leads to improved circulation

• Has an anti-ageing effect on the body

• Has been shown to have positive affects on psychological problems like anxiety, depression, nervous breakdowns and sleeplessness

• Brings hope and creates psychological distance from problems

• Reduces high blood pressure

• Increases the levels of endorphins in our bodies, which create a positive state of mind and boost optimism, self confidence and feelings of self-worth. Endorphins are also natural painkillers

• Creates a positive emotional state

• Brings people together and can improve interpersonal relationships

• Gives people a chance to interact with others who share a positive frame of mind

• Removes inhibitions, and over a period of time may lead a person to become more sociable, unreserved and outgoing

• Enhances the free flow of emotions – deep laughter can lead to catharsis (emotional release)

• Can dislodge blocked emotions stored in the body. Suppressed or blocked emotions can cause ongoing physical, mental and emotional problems. Their release can be life changing.

5 Reasons to Love Laughter Yoga

• Good Mood and More Laughter. Laughter Yoga helps to change your mood within minutes. You will remain cheerful and in a good mood throughout the day and will find yourself laughing more usual.

• Healthy Exercise to Beat Stress. Laughter Yoga is a gentle aerobic exercise which brings more oxygen to the body and brain, making you feel more energetic and relaxed.

• Health Benefits. Laughter Yoga reduces the stress and strengthens the immune system. You will not fall sick easily and if you have some chronic health conditions, you will heal faster.

• Quality of Life. Laughter is a positive energy which helps people to connect with other people quickly and improves relationships. If you laugh more, you will attract many friends.

• Positive Attitude in Challenging Times. Everyone can laugh when life is good, but how do you laugh when faced with challenges? Laughter Yoga helps create a positive mental state to deal with negative situations and negative people. It gives hope and optimism to cope with difficult times.