Laughter Yoga
Encyclopedia
Laughter Yoga is a form of yoga
employing self-triggered laughter
. The "laughter" is physical in nature, and does not necessarily involve humor or comedy
. Laughter Yoga combines unconditional laughter with pranayama
(yogic breathing). Laughter is simulated as a body exercise in a group; with eye contact and childlike playfulness, initially forced laughter soon turns into real and contagious laughter. The concept of Laughter Yoga is based on the scientific observation that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter, and that both provide the same physiological and psychological benefits.
Laughter yoga was made popular as an exercise routine developed by Indian physician Madan Kataria. Kataria writes about the practice in his book Laugh For No Reason. Kataria launched the first Laughter Club at a park on March 13, 1995. Today, it has become a worldwide phenomenon with more than 6000 Social Laughter Clubs in about 60 countries. Each club has its own Laugh Captain and operates as an independent cell.
In the mid-1990s Laughter Yoga was practised in the early mornings, primarily by groups of older men in open parks. Later, a more formalized version was created and popularized as "Laughter Clubs". Kataria's first Laughter Yoga Club began on 13 March 1995 in Mumbai
. Beginning with five people in a local public park, the concept has rapidly spread worldwide. As of 2011, there are more than 8,000 Laughter Clubs in 65 countries.
Laughter Yoga is a unique exercise routine which combines unconditional laughter with yogic breathing (Pranayama
). Anyone can laugh without needing to rely on humor, jokes or comedy. Laughter is initially simulated as a physical exercise while maintaining eye contact with others in the group and promoting childlike playfulness. In most cases this soon leads to real and contagious laughter. Scientific studies have demonstrated that the body does not differentiate between simulated and real laughter. ("Make 'Em Laugh Laughter can keep you happier and healthier." Rebecca Fast. “Our body doesn’t seem to know the difference between simulated laughter and stimulated laughter. We experience the benefits of laughter whether it is simulated or actually stimulated by something funny,” says Dr. Gerald Ellison of Cancer Treatment Centers of America. http://www.okmag.com/April-2011/Make-lsquoEm-Laugh/) Laughter Yoga is the only technique that allows adults to achieve sustained hearty laughter without involving cognitive thought. It bypasses the intellectual systems that normally act as a brake on natural laughter.
Laughter Yoga sessions start with gentle warm-up techniques which include stretching, chanting, clapping and body movement. These help break down inhibitions and develop feelings of childlike playfulness. Breathing exercises are used to prepare the lungs for laughter, followed by a series of ‘laughter exercises’ that combine the method of acting and visualization techniques with playfulness. These exercises, when combined with the strong social dynamics of group behavior, lead to prolonged and hearty unconditional laughter. Laughter exercises are interspersed with breathing exercises. Twenty minutes of laughter is sufficient to develop full physiological benefits.
A Laughter Yoga session may finish with "Laughter Meditation." This is a session of unstructured laughter whereby participants sit or lie down and allow natural laughter to flow from within like a fountain. This is a powerful experience that often leads to a healthy emotional catharsis and also a feeling of release and joyfulness that can last for days. This can be followed by guided relaxation exercises.
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
employing self-triggered laughter
Laughter
Laughing is a reaction to certain stimuli, fundamentally stress, which serves as an emotional balancing mechanism. Traditionally, it is considered a visual expression of happiness, or an inward feeling of joy. It may ensue from hearing a joke, being tickled, or other stimuli...
. The "laughter" is physical in nature, and does not necessarily involve humor or comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
. Laughter Yoga combines unconditional laughter with pranayama
Pranayama
Pranayama is a Sanskrit word meaning "extension of the prana or breath" or more accurately, "extension of the life force". The word is composed of two Sanskrit words, Prāna, life force, or vital energy, particularly, the breath, and "āyāma", to extend, draw out, restrain, or...
(yogic breathing). Laughter is simulated as a body exercise in a group; with eye contact and childlike playfulness, initially forced laughter soon turns into real and contagious laughter. The concept of Laughter Yoga is based on the scientific observation that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter, and that both provide the same physiological and psychological benefits.
Laughter yoga was made popular as an exercise routine developed by Indian physician Madan Kataria. Kataria writes about the practice in his book Laugh For No Reason. Kataria launched the first Laughter Club at a park on March 13, 1995. Today, it has become a worldwide phenomenon with more than 6000 Social Laughter Clubs in about 60 countries. Each club has its own Laugh Captain and operates as an independent cell.
Method
Laughter is easily stimulated in a group when combined with eye contact, childlike playfulness and laughter exercises. Fake laughter quickly becomes real. Laughter Yoga brings more oxygen to the body and brain by incorporating yogic breathing which results in deep diaphragmatic breathing. Laughter Yoga is based on the concept that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter - physiologically and psychologically the benefits are identical.In the mid-1990s Laughter Yoga was practised in the early mornings, primarily by groups of older men in open parks. Later, a more formalized version was created and popularized as "Laughter Clubs". Kataria's first Laughter Yoga Club began on 13 March 1995 in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
. Beginning with five people in a local public park, the concept has rapidly spread worldwide. As of 2011, there are more than 8,000 Laughter Clubs in 65 countries.
Laughter Yoga is a unique exercise routine which combines unconditional laughter with yogic breathing (Pranayama
Pranayama
Pranayama is a Sanskrit word meaning "extension of the prana or breath" or more accurately, "extension of the life force". The word is composed of two Sanskrit words, Prāna, life force, or vital energy, particularly, the breath, and "āyāma", to extend, draw out, restrain, or...
). Anyone can laugh without needing to rely on humor, jokes or comedy. Laughter is initially simulated as a physical exercise while maintaining eye contact with others in the group and promoting childlike playfulness. In most cases this soon leads to real and contagious laughter. Scientific studies have demonstrated that the body does not differentiate between simulated and real laughter. ("Make 'Em Laugh Laughter can keep you happier and healthier." Rebecca Fast. “Our body doesn’t seem to know the difference between simulated laughter and stimulated laughter. We experience the benefits of laughter whether it is simulated or actually stimulated by something funny,” says Dr. Gerald Ellison of Cancer Treatment Centers of America. http://www.okmag.com/April-2011/Make-lsquoEm-Laugh/) Laughter Yoga is the only technique that allows adults to achieve sustained hearty laughter without involving cognitive thought. It bypasses the intellectual systems that normally act as a brake on natural laughter.
Laughter Yoga sessions start with gentle warm-up techniques which include stretching, chanting, clapping and body movement. These help break down inhibitions and develop feelings of childlike playfulness. Breathing exercises are used to prepare the lungs for laughter, followed by a series of ‘laughter exercises’ that combine the method of acting and visualization techniques with playfulness. These exercises, when combined with the strong social dynamics of group behavior, lead to prolonged and hearty unconditional laughter. Laughter exercises are interspersed with breathing exercises. Twenty minutes of laughter is sufficient to develop full physiological benefits.
A Laughter Yoga session may finish with "Laughter Meditation." This is a session of unstructured laughter whereby participants sit or lie down and allow natural laughter to flow from within like a fountain. This is a powerful experience that often leads to a healthy emotional catharsis and also a feeling of release and joyfulness that can last for days. This can be followed by guided relaxation exercises.
External links
- Official Website: Dr Kataria School Of Laughter Yoga
- UK School Of Laughter Yoga, certified laughter yoga training and laughter yoga facilitation skills
- International School Of Laughter Yoga, professionnal school to learn laughter yoga and laughter therapy
- American School Of Laughter Yoga, a comprehensive resource on Laughter Yoga
- http://www.LYInstitute.orgThe Laughter Yoga Institute, certified training and program development, USA and worldwide
- Indian Website: Hasyayoga Kendra Delhi
- Laughter for Africa, a comprehensive resource on Laughter Yoga in Africa
- Seniors Laughter Yoga in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
- What's So Funny?, article in Yoga Journal
- FRENCH institute of laughter yoga, laughter yoga training
- http://www.laughteryoga-michigan.com, Laughter Yoga Training and training webinars
- Frederiksberg Latterklub, listen to laughterclub laughter.