What is Laughter Yoga?
An exciting new phenomenon that is reemerging our laughter abilities. It was started by Dr. Madan Kataria in Mumbai India in 1995 who as a medical doctor was writing an article entitled Laughter is the Best Medicine. We have all heard that line enough as it has been used by many individuals who have overcome or greatly improved there health and well being by focusing on joy and getting there more and more through laughter.
No Jokes are necessary
There are no jokes and no need of puns or gags as that can often be subjective to different people and sometimes offensive. Dr. Kataria found that out through trial and error and moved forward into combining the laughter exercises with the pranayamic breathing used in yoga. Madhuri Kataria, the good doctor's wife, is a yoga instructor and with the practice of using the yoga asanas (poses) many of the laughter exercises were transformed to a more beneficial effect for those engaging in Laughter Yoga. The word yoga simply means to bring things together in union and that is what both Madan and Madhuri have done, joined the laughter exercises with the breathing practices for a wonderful effect.
It's beneficial for the body and the mind
There are playful exercises designed to reduce inhibitions and shyfulness, value based exercises designed to bring about positive feelings and shifts in attitudes, and there are the physical exercises designed to increase mobility and ease of movement. These different exercises when combined will assist each participant with an excellent cardio and mid body workout. In hearty laughter the heart rate can increase in one minute where it would take 10 minutes to achieve on exercise machines. The body and the brain receive more oxygen, reduce the stress related cortisol and increase the feel good endorphins which make a person feel much better.
Everyone can do it
One of the great concepts about Laughter Yoga is that you don't have to be funny to do it. A good sense of humor is not necessary although if you practice it regularly you can develop one. You don't have to even feel like doing it to get a benefit, as similar to biofeedback, the body does not know if what is being perceived is real or if it is fake. Putting the body through a series of laughter exercises will create a benefit even with a neutral attitude to begin with. Although, when gathering together with others and having the visual and/or auditory contact along with a childlike playfulness, participants end up in genuine laughter and that becomes another benefit.
Benefits can be more than physical
Aside from
the physical health benefits, the emotional release laughter allows also
stimulates a change as well as the social connection that it brings about.
We say in Laughter Yoga that if you are thinking too much, you aren't
laughing enough. It is a great way to get out of the head and learn to
laugh a bit at yourself and the circumstances you are surrounded by. Often
we find through laughter that maybe that serious problem we thought we
had isn't so serious because we can approach it differently now.
What does a typical Laughter Yoga session involve?
Participants use a Laughter Yoga Leader to lead a session with the leader being the only talking person in the group. A trained leader will facilitate the experience with timing and appropriate measures that work for the group.
Simple Precautions first
The Leader will introduce him or herself and ask others to introduce themselves. The leader then gives some basic instructions and will ask everyone to honor the tolerance of their body as this is a physical exercise and is not indicated for some conditions such as recent hospital visits, heart conditions, strains or conditions that might over activate the individiual. No strain and no new pain is expressed for a happier healthier outcome for all.
Simple Instructions Next
Next the leader will give some simple clapping and sound instructions for others to follow and introduce a child like playfulness that assists in keeping the group moving forward.
Perhaps a little stretching or breathing
Some Instructor leaders will introduce gentle stretching and breathing to prepare participants and then the exercises and the laughing begins.
Laughter Exercises come next
Usually about 10 exercises are introduced though it can be different depending on the size of the group and time allotment.
Ending with a Laughter Meditation
At the commencement of the exercises is a Laughter Meditation which is benefiical in grounding the individuals and allows the effects of the exercise to settle into the body.
