LAUGHTER YOGA
Laughter Yoga is a unique technique devised by Dr Madan Kataria, a doctor from India, whereby you can learn to “Laugh for no Reason”
You don’t even need a sense of humour, no funny jokes or comedy programmes - just a willingness to laugh – and in the current climate everyone needs to laugh more
Laughter Yoga is a combination of Laughter Exercises with Yogic Breathing (pranayama), so that you increase the amount of oxygen in your body whilst being playful resulting in you feeling more healthy, energized and alive. This actually changes the physiology of your body so that you start to feel happier
Laughter Yoga is generally done in groups – although it can be practiced alone. When you make eye contact with someone and you are both willing to laugh, the laughter is multiplied. However we do say that you can “Fake it, fake it till you make it” because the body doesn't know the difference between fake and genuine laughter, as long as you are willing to laugh you will experience the same health benefits and the laughter will become genuine
Laughter Yoga started in a park in Mumbai in 1995 with just 5 participants, and now there are over 6,000 laughter clubs in 60 different countries – showing the willingness of the world to laugh together.
Laughter Yoga has wonderful therapeutic and preventative health benefits. Scientists and medical doctors alike are amazed at what happens when we laugh.
When we laugh
• Take in more oxygen helping to keep us healthy by nourishing the cells
• Increase circulation – giving us rosy cheeks and making us look younger!
• Gives the tummy an abdominal workout and helps digestion
• Boosts the immune system which fights disease by up top 40% (See article Laughter the best Medicine)
• Reduces high blood pressure. After a laughter yoga session the blood pressure
• comes down to a lower resting rate
• Stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol are reduced so we feel more relaxed
• Happy hormones, endorphins are released removing the negative effects of stress
• Endorphins (meaning self made morphine) can act as a pain killer and laughter can be used as a pain management tool (See Norman Cousins story )
• Gives a sense of lightness and well being
• Help with depression and anxiety by boosting the production of seratonin (a natural antidepressant)
Do you need any more reasons??!! Laughter is good for you physically, mentally and spiritually, it lifts you up and makes you feel connected to people.