Laughter Yoga

Laughter is simulated in a group with eye staring and playfulness developing into real and contagious laughter. It is meant to be a combination of laughing and yoga breathing, in order to bring more oxygen to the body and the brain. Laughter yoga is based on the assumption that the body cannot differentiate between fake or simulated and real laughter (which has been scientifically proven), and that their physiological and psychological benefits are thus identical.

The modern Laughter Yoga movement was started by Dr. Madan Kataria, a family practice doctor in Mumbai, India. Dr. Kataria’s first Laughter Yoga club was started in 1995 in Mumbai and began with just 5 of his friends and patients in a local public park.  The concept rapidly spread worldwide and as of 2009 there are more than 60000 laughter parties in 75 countries.

With Laughter Yoga you don’t need comedy, jokes or humor to laugh, all you need are 3 things the actual laughter exercises, simple breathing techniques, and child like playfulness (which will come in time!).

Laughter Yoga is a deceptively simple yet very powerful and potentially even life-changing form of exercise that anybody can do, anytime, anywhere. Its core premise is that your body can and knows how to laugh, regardless of what your mind has to say. In short: Laughter Yoga is a body-mind approach to laughter, not something mind-body. The distinction is very important. Here you do not need to have a sense of humor, know jokes or even be happy. Laughter Yoga invites you to “fake it” until it becomes real (it is important to understand that this is not comedy. Thinking will dramatically sabotage your laughter dynamic because it will force you back into the box of your own inhibitions and limitations. You will benefit most if you don’t even try to be or look funny.)

Laughter Yoga is non-political, non religious, non-racial, non-threatening, non-competitive. Laughter is a universal language that transcends all barriers: language, age, gender, social or racial background. It improves inter-personal relationships and enhances communication. It teaches you to make happiness a choice and not a consequence.

“Laughter Yoga combines laughter with yogic breathing exercises. It is a perfect way to laugh and get exercise at the same time. It approaches laughter as a body exercise so it’s easy to laugh even if you’re depressed or in a bad mood. I’ve tried it, and it works.”
— Oprah Winfrey

Whether your laugh becomes real or not does not really matter. The body does not make the difference between simulated laughter (as long as you are willing to laugh) and real laughter and produces the same “happy” body chemistry. You will find when you experience Laughter Yoga that laughter is very contagious. Considering that laughter is hard-wired into your system (it is the very nature of life to be joyful), laughter seen / heard or even just felt in a group setting creates more laughter as the body quickly overrides the artificial limitations imposed by the mind (e.g. shyness, inhibitions, etc.) and reconnects in a way with its true nature.

Research, using double blind blood chemistry analysis, has shown that simulated laughter: 1. regulates blood pressure, 2. regulates blood sugar, 3. increases endorphins (the ‘happy chemicals’), and 4. lower cortisol (the ‘stress’ hormone).

FAQ’s about Laughter Yoga

Q: I can’t do Yoga. I’m too stiff.

A: Laughter Yoga combines simulated laughter with gentle Yoga breathing techniques. There are no contortions, no fancy movements. Anybody can do it.

Q: These exercises are silly and ridiculous. I find them most embarrassing. Why do them?

A: You either think too much or are trying to look funny for the sake of others. Let your body play don’t even try to be or look funny. These exercises are playful, or take the scientific approach and give them a try.

Q: I can’t laugh. Terrible things have happened to me. Can this method help?

A: How you feel now is and always remains your personal choice. Get whatever weighs on you out of you: keep a journal, join a support group, just cry, redefine normal, or get some professional help. These exercises work for all because they are a body-mind approach to health and happiness, not mind-body. As long as you can breathe you can laugh. Go through the motions. Fake it. Before you know it you will genuinely laugh. We have seen this happen more times than we can remember.

Health Related Questions

Q: Are there any contra-indications to these exercises?

A: Laughter Yoga is contra-indicated for people suffering from uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, epilepsy, any kind of hernia, severe backache and major psychiatric disorders. This list is for guidance only and is not meant to be exhaustive. If in doubt, do not try it, and consult your trained medical professional for guidance. Anyone already undergoing physician-prescribed therapy should seek the advice of his or her doctor before reducing the dosage or stopping such treatment. Even a normal person experiencing discomfort while laughing, must discontinue immediately and seek expert medical help. Please use your common sense: no strain, no new pain.

Q: Will laughter heal me?

A: We don’t know and that is not our claim. Laughter as a form of exercise is a powerful form of complementary medicine. We do not recommend nor suggest in any way shape or form that you discontinue your current treatment plan if you have one. Please share what you are doing with your doctor and follow his/her advice.

Technical Questions

Q: Should I / we practice these exercises every day?

A: Of course not. Only if you want to feel good.