I completed my leader course in Laughter Yoga in February 2021.
I've worked with online sessions, for organisations and individuals, at a festival, at group events and have to say I do love laughing live in person, but online means distance isn't an issue too. Wins each way.
Have a read here to see feedback from people who've laughed with me.
My offerings within Laughter Yoga vary month to month around life - I've currently taken a break from online sessions for a while.
I've worked with online sessions, for organisations and individuals, at a festival, at group events and have to say I do love laughing live in person, but online means distance isn't an issue too. Wins each way.
Have a read here to see feedback from people who've laughed with me.
My offerings within Laughter Yoga vary month to month around life - I've currently taken a break from online sessions for a while.
Let me explain a little more about Laughter Yoga.
What is Laughter Yoga?
1. Laughter Yoga is a unique concept where anyone can laugh for no reason without relying on humor, jokes or comedy.
2. We initiate laughter as an exercise in a group but with eye contact and childlike playfulness, it soon turns into real and contagious laughter.
3. The reason we call it Laughter Yoga is because it combines laughter exercises with yoga breathing. This brings more oxygen to the body and the brain which makes one feel more energetic and healthy.
4. Scientific studies show that the body cannot differentiate between real laughter and voluntary laughter if done with willingness. One gets the same health benefits, whether laughter is real or simulated.
5. It was started by a medical doctor Dr. Madan Kataria from India with just five people in a Mumbai Park in 1995. There are now thousands of Laughter Clubs in more than 100 countries.
There are 3 basic reasons why Laughter Yoga gets the prize over just laughing with our friends, at comedy clubs or films.
To get maximum health benefits:
1. Laughter should be sustained: In order to get scientifically proven health benefits of laughter, we need to laugh at least for 10 to 15 minutes; it should be sustained laughter. As natural laughter hardly lasts for 3-4 seconds at a time, it is not sufficient to bring about physiological and psychological changes in our body. Since in Laughter Yoga laughter is done as an exercise, we can prolong our laughter as long as we want. It brings measurable physiological changes like increasing the oxygen level in the blood, muscle relaxation, blood circulation and release of certain hormones in the body.
2. Laughter should be deep: To reap the health bene ts of laughter, laughter has to be hearty and deep, coming from the diaphragm. It should be a belly laugh. It might not be socially acceptable to laugh loudly, but Laughter Yoga clubs provide a safe environment where one can laugh loudly and heartily without any social implication.
3.Laughter should be unconditional: Natural laughter that courses through our life depends upon many reasons and conditions, but the fact is that there are not many reasons which make us laugh - This means we invariably leave laughter to a chance; it may happen, it may not. In contrast, in Laughter Yoga clubs, laughter is unconditional and we laugh for no reason. We do not leave laughter to a chance, but do it out of commitment. This is a guaranteed way of getting the health benefits of laughter
There are 3 basic reasons why Laughter Yoga gets the prize over just laughing with our friends, at comedy clubs or films.
To get maximum health benefits:
1. Laughter should be sustained: In order to get scientifically proven health benefits of laughter, we need to laugh at least for 10 to 15 minutes; it should be sustained laughter. As natural laughter hardly lasts for 3-4 seconds at a time, it is not sufficient to bring about physiological and psychological changes in our body. Since in Laughter Yoga laughter is done as an exercise, we can prolong our laughter as long as we want. It brings measurable physiological changes like increasing the oxygen level in the blood, muscle relaxation, blood circulation and release of certain hormones in the body.
2. Laughter should be deep: To reap the health bene ts of laughter, laughter has to be hearty and deep, coming from the diaphragm. It should be a belly laugh. It might not be socially acceptable to laugh loudly, but Laughter Yoga clubs provide a safe environment where one can laugh loudly and heartily without any social implication.
3.Laughter should be unconditional: Natural laughter that courses through our life depends upon many reasons and conditions, but the fact is that there are not many reasons which make us laugh - This means we invariably leave laughter to a chance; it may happen, it may not. In contrast, in Laughter Yoga clubs, laughter is unconditional and we laugh for no reason. We do not leave laughter to a chance, but do it out of commitment. This is a guaranteed way of getting the health benefits of laughter
Whilst I believe Laughter Yoga is fabulous, there are some reasons why it wouldn't be wise to join in with a session, which are as follows:
Contraindications in Laughter Yoga
Laughter Yoga is like any other aerobic exercise and all the conditions apply as that of any other aerobic activity like swimming, jogging, running etc. Should you experience any pain, discomfort and breathlessness, you must discontinue Laughter Yoga and take medical advice.
People with following conditions must take medical opinion before doing Laughter Yoga exercises:
Hernia: Hernia is very common in elderly people and in those who have chronic cough and prostate enlargement. If you notice any swelling in the groin area while laughing or experience any pain, you must consult your doctor before doing laughter exercises regularly. Hernia normally needs surgical correction.
Incontinence in women: This is most common in women. If there is involuntary passing of urine while laughing or coughing you must consult your doctor. This may be due to sagging of the uterus or weak ligaments.
Bleeding hemorrhoids: Those su ering from bleeding from any part of the body must be very careful while doing laughter exercises.
Heart problem with chest pain: If you experience any chest pain while doing any exercise you must consult your doctor.
Pregnancy: Women with history of miscarriage and those in the last two months of pregnancy must take precaution and see the doctor before doing Laughter Yoga.
Major surgeries: One must wait for at least three months after any surgery before resuming any strenuous exercises.
Epilepsy: Those with a history of epileptic seizures must be careful as change in any emotional state can trigger an epileptic attack. Take expert opinion.
Cold and flu: In case of severe attack of cold & flu, wait for some time as the virus might spread to other members.
Severe backache: If someone has prolapsed inter-vertebral disc (slipped disc), one should not do laughter and other exercises, unless advised by their physician. Any forward and backward bending can aggravate the symptoms of slip disc.
Assuming that's all OK, I'd love for you to join us and laugh together.
Have a look here for the latest: Laughter Yoga Sessions.
With thanks to Gordon from Snappers Delight for the images, which were shot at the first Tribal Warrior Gathering (Leeds), September 2022 arranged by Jen Armstrong.
