The Laughter Clubs began in the east where ancient Buddhists used the practice of Laughing to release attachments. The idea to form a club to Laugh for no reason came to Dr. Madan Kataria, a medical doctor who was writing an article regarding laughter as the best medicine. He was inspired by Norman Cousins battle with a degenerative form of arthritis that caused him to have severe pain daily. By laughing Norman found he could be free of medication for a period of time, using it over time to cure himself completely. This intrigued Dr. Kataria who continued to explore and found that by adding the dynamic effects of yogic breathing to the exercises of laughter, the benefit was outstanding.
Today there are over 6,000 Laughter Clubs worldwide in over 60 countries and they are increasing at a rapid rate as more and more people are getting tickled by the notion of adding more laughter into their lives.
In India the practice in Laughter Clubs is to begin the day with Laughter and so it is a daily ritual for many. In the United States there are many variations that are designed to suit the individuals involved.
The best effect would be to gather individuals every day to create a positive experience to carry through the day every day, however doing something more than you are right now is a start and it can build.
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A Laughter Club can be made up of all kinds of individuals as it is open to everyone who wants to laugh with the group.
What happens in a Laughter Club?
A variety
of events can occur though the Laughter Clubs that originate from the
Laughter Yoga or World Laughter Tour, include Laughter exercises.
Generally
a Leader will give directions and the group follows along. Laughing begins
naturally or unnaturally with a fake it til you make it attitude as they
know that the fake laughter will turn into genuine laughter through the
eye contact and playful like nature of connecting with other laughers.
In the end everyone feels better and benefits.
Illinois/ Chicagoland
Laughter Clubs
O'Hare Area
The Park Ridge Hysterical Society
Daily
Laughter Calls 9am CST
Meets Weekly Tuesdays at 7:00pm - FREE
We are now indoors for the cooler season!
350 S. Northwest Hwy - 1st Floor Conference Room
Weekly Laughter - Monthly Events - All ages Welcome
Contact
Burr
Ridge
Home Grown Laughter
with Vandna
Meets Wednesdays at 9:30am
Burr
Ridge
Contact Vandna
Des
Plaines
Love
& Wellness Laughter
Meets Wednesdays at 7pm
The Dance Building of DesPlaines
1330 Webford in Des Plaines
Contact: Jean Shinners
Geneva
October Laughter
- 4 Weeks
Geneva Park District
1002
129th Infantry Drive Unit E (Rear)
Meets Tuesdays at 7 - 8:30pm - $5
Contact Terri Reasoner
Glenview
Healing Harbor Laughter Club
NorthShore Healing Center
222 Waukegan Rd
Meets
Wednesdays/Saturdays 11am - $5
Contact
Joliet
ICU Laughing
Innerpeace Laughter Yoga
1002
129th Infantry Drive Unit E (Rear)
Meets Wednesdays at 6pm - $5
(817) 773-0987 Contact Shirley
Jolley
New Lenox
New Lenox Laughter
Club
Lions Community Center
1 Manor Drive
Meets
Thursdays at 6pm - FREE
(708) 814-7671
Contact Heidi
Oak Park
Lighthearted
Laughter Yoga Club
Meets Wednesdays at 6:45pm - Free
1025 Pleasant Place Oak Park
Contact - David Kelm
Wilmette
Laughter with Seniors
Shoreline Center
Meets Tuesdays at 10am
324 Linden
st in Wilmette
Contact Cathy VanderPloeg
Skokie
Laughter Yoga North Shore
Meets Tuesdays at 1:15 - fee $5
Also meets 2nd Sat of the month-FREE
9300 Weber Skokie, IL
Contact
Skokie Laughter
Club
Meets Saturdays at 1pm
Kenton-Knox Building Room #114
9700 Kenton Skokie
Contact
Chicago
Laugh More
Chicago
Meeting First & Third Saturdays at 10am
The Gazebo in Lincoln Park at Stockton & Roslyn
Contact Jeremy Chapman
(847) 436-3853
Chicago
Cycle of Laughter
Meets Last Monday of the Month
Lakefront at Addison near the Totem Pole
Laughter on Bicycle for something new
Contact Donna Nelson
Arlington Heights
Arlington Heights
Senior Club
Meets 2nd/4th Mondays
1801 W. Central Rd Arlington Heights
Contact
Niles
Niles Senior
Center Laugh Club
Meets 2nd/4th Monday - $2
999 Civic Drive Niles
Contact
Cary
Sit Down Laughter
Club
Meets weekly
Cary - FREE
Contact
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Want to set up your own Laughter Club?
Any Group or Organization
can benefit
from regular laughter sessions
| Organization Groups | Businesses |
| Schools | Senior Care |
| Health Affiliations | Wellness Centers |
| Support Groups | Families |
| Fitness and Sports | Yoga Studios |
| Hospitals | Corporations |
| Communities | ...and more |
Think of it as a tool for Stress Management or simply releasing the stress through regular practice... going from stressings to blessings, this and so much more is what a laughter club can do for any community!
Change your surroundings one laugh at a time!
Call (847)
401-5787 or email today
to get a group started in your area
Want to become
a
Leader of Laughter?
Or Just have
Questions?
Call (847) 401-5787 or email