Laughter Yoga

Laughter Yoga (also know as Laughter Therapy) was developed by Dr Madan Kataria, a medical doctor from Mumbai, India. The practice combines laughter-based activities, clapping and breathing to form an easy to learn and enjoyable exercise routine. Laughter Therapy has grown rapidly from it’s humble beginnings with 5 people in a park in Mumbai. Some 15 years later Laughter Yoga (Therapy) is practised and enjoyed by participants in more than 6000 laughter clubs in approximately 65 countries world-wide and it’s still growing fast.

We have all heard the truism ‘laughter is the best medicine’ and now we know why. Laughter yoga (laughter therapy) is based on this scientific fact: your body is unable to distinguish between real and simulated laughter. In other words, ‘real’ laughter and ‘fake’ laughter both provide the same benefits to our minds and bodies. Research shows that while children may laugh as much as 400 times per day, the average adults laughs only 15 times per day

Laughter reduces the levels of stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, dopamins and it increases health promoting hormones like endorphins. So laughter reduces stress, pain and conflict. Isn’t it good to know you get the same injection of ‘happy hormones’ when you simulate or create laughter? Remember, those happy hormones strengthen the immune system, boost energy, diminish pain, and protect us from the damage produced by stress (which is grossly underestimated by most people…)

I know what you’re thinking; faking laughter sounds… well.. fake! It’s true, at first, simulating laughing does feel weird. And when you participate in a group, it doesn’t take long before simulated laughter creates ‘real’ laughter.

Benefits of Laughter Yoga (Laughter Therapy)

• Relaxes your body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after the session.
• Boosts your immune system by decreasing stress hormones and increasing immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies. This, in turn, improves your resistance to disease.
• Triggers the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural ‘feel-good’ chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
• Protects your heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which helps create a healthier heart and so protect you from cardiovascular (heart) problems.
• Leads to improved circulation.
• Has an anti-ageing effect on the body
• Positive affects psychological problems like anxiety, depression, nervous breakdowns and sleeplessness
• Brings hope and helps create a psychological distance between  us and our problems; it’s like taking an emotional vacation.
• Unites people. Feeling better always help our interpersonal relationships; sharing a laughter yoga session with loved ones is a fantastic boost
• Gives people a chance to interact with others who share a positive frame of mind
• Removes inhibitions; over time laughter yoga can assist a shy or reserved person to become more outgoing
• Enhances the free flow of emotions
• Improve mental functions (i.e. alertness, memory, creativity)

The benefits of laughter yoga or laughter therapy far out weight most activities people use to de-stress or relax such a drink at the pub, collapse at the lounge, internally those dealings, etc. Take action and have some fun.

Laughter Yoga (Laughter Therapy) Workshops

Shared laughter is one of the most effective tools for keeping relationships fresh and buoyant. All emotional sharing builds strong and lasting relationship bonds, but sharing laughter and play adds a special element to the bond.

Laughter Yoga workshops are available for business, the general public, for children, and with special needs groups such as senior citizens or those with a health complaint or limited mobility.  We also have specially designed Laughter Yoga sessions for organisations who want stress relief and team building program.  We can also customise Laughter Yoga sessions to meet your needs.