Laughing Buddha (credit: Creative Commons)
Laughter feels good and makes the world seem a bit more humane. So why not laugh more often and on purpose?
Enter Laughter Yoga, a growing phenomenon started in 1995 by Dr. Madan Kataria, a Mumbai, India physician, that has people getting together to laugh for no reason at all other than to feel better and support wellness. Since then, Laughter Yoga has grown into a global movement!
Don’t you need a reason?
Myth #1 – You need a reason to laugh. Laughter is contagious. Ever witness someone laughing heartily and get drawn into laughing too, without even knowing why?
Myth #2 – You need humor to laugh. Laughter is a physiological response to humor but humor is not necessary. You can fake it. Give it a try.
Myth #3 – You must be happy to laugh. It’ been scientifically proven that you receive the same health benefits from laughing whether you are doing it because you are happy or not. In fact, you can laugh to MAKE yourself happy.
By putting one intensely in the moment, laughter can serve as a form of meditation.
Laughter Yoga can be practiced alone but most people enjoy the experience with others where it becomes a vehicle for bonding and team building. Laughter Yoga Clubs are planned corporate, community or personal groups who meet daily, weekly, or monthly to share laughter. Led by a Certified Laughter Yoga Leaders™, club member activities combine simulated laughter exercises with stretching and yoga breathing. In a group setting, the exercises promote ‘real’ laughter while encouraging playfulness, social interaction, balance and energy in more than 6,000 clubs in over 60 countries!
Everyone – kids, seniors, disabled, etc – can participate and benefit. Why? Quite simply because it’s free, fun, good for you and your community! So go ahead, join the laughter! It really is the best medicine!
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