Laughter Yoga

“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” – Victor Borge

Dr Madan Kataria developed laughter yoga in India in 1995, and its popularity has since spread all over the world.

Why call it laughter yoga? The word yoga means ‘to join, integrate and harmonize.’ Dr Kataria named it laughter yoga because he incorporated Pranayama (deep yogic breathing) into his laughing 'exercises', thus creating extra benefits and healing.

Laughter yoga does not include any complicated pretzel-like or upside down poses at all. It simply teaches you to laugh. No jokes, comedy or jags – just laughing for no reason.

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama

Ok, so here’s the science bit:

Dr William Fry demonstrated that most of our physiological systems are stimulated by laughter. 20 seconds of intense laughter, even if faked, can double the heart rate for 3 to 5 minutes, proving that laughter provides an excellent form of exercise. He also showed that laughter produces endorphins, our happy hormones that can help ease pain.
So the term "fake it till you make it" applies.  Soon enough you'll be enjoying real, hearty laughter.

Laughter Yoga is a fantastic team building activity.  It creates awareness of others and brings out peoples' true nature. Many corporate companies use it to build camaraderie between staff and to create a more relaxed, open environment.

I also love facilitating to those groups and individuals that give so much back to the community.  I will happily donate my time for a worthy cause.  

It has been proven to be very beneficial for staff in hospitals and similar stressful work places.

When asked why he sees ‘play’ as so central to quality health care, Patch Adams replied; “I mean, it’s such a ‘duh’ question. Play is essential to life at all ages. It’s fun, it’s relaxation. It’s probably how we know somebody is alive.” Patch Adams was the catalyst of the creation of thousands of Care Clowns worldwide, bringing laughter and therefore, health back to the sick.

Reasons for practicing laughter yoga:

•  Laughter encourages deep belly breathing

• It’s a powerful cardio workout – 10 minutes of laughing equals 30 minutes  of jogging

• Reduces stress levels quickly

• Improves oxygen supply and expels stale oxygen form our lungs

• Regulates breathing

• Improves moods by releasing endorphins

• Improves memory

• Alleviates fear and anxiety

• Aids digestion and weight loss

• Promotes glowing skin

• Alleviates insomnia

• Good anger management technique

• Helps overcome grief

• By lowering blood pressure, relaxing muscles, improving blood circulations, increasing oxygen levels, elevating mood, boosting the immune system and releasing endorphins; laugher yoga can help alleviate many more serious diseases and conditions like diabetes, asthma, arthritis and depression, to name a few