What is Laughter Yoga?
Laughter Yoga, also known as Hasya Yoga, combines unconditional laughter with yogic breathing (pranayama for you yogis out there).
Anyone can laugh for no reason (yes, even you), without relying on humor, jokes or comedy.
Laughter is simulated as a body exercise in a group but with eye contact and childlike playfulness, a laughter yoga session turns into real and contagious gigglicious laughter. With an open mind and a willingness to laugh, the contagious joys of Laughter Yoga are yours for the taking.
Check out this short piece by Dr Sanjay Gupta of CNN Health about Laughter Yoga and Dr Madan Kataria, the founder behind the Laughter Yoga movement. Dr. K intends to spread world peace through laughter! 
Here’s a short video I shot for my Laughter Yoga Teacher, Carmela Carlyle in August 2009 during my trip to northern California. Carmela is leading a group of seniors in her Chair and Wheelchair Laughter Yoga Club. The video is basic (I’m no Steven Speilberg) but in its simplicity you can see the beauty in bringing laughter to elders. I was THRILLED to be a part of this session with Carmela.
- It’s fun & easy – no pretzel-like postures, no fancy-dancy expensive clothing (although comfortable clothing is recommended) and no special equipment is needed.
- Reduces stress levels quickly (by 75% or more) and hormones like cortisol (that nasty chemical responsible for belly fat) is lowered.
- Lifts depression!
- Provides a fast and powerful no-sweat cardiovascular workout.
- Exercises facial muscles (read: makes us look younger *clap, clap*)
- Blood pressure & pulse rate drop, circulation improves.
- Lung capacity increases, stale residual air is expelled, healthier breathing is learned.
- Boosts immune system by increasing levels of anti-viral and anti-infection cells.
- Blood & major organs are fully oxygenated leaving one bursting with energy.
- Hearty laughter improves mood within minutes by releasing endorphins that act as mood enhancers and natural pain killers.
- Boosts self-confidence, creativity and improves communication skills.
What is invol
ved in a typical Laughter Yoga class?
Laughter Yoga consists of a series of simple and gentle exercises most commonly performed in a group.
During a Laughter Yoga session you will breathe deeply, clap, chant, be playful like a child, stretch, practice laughter exercises and make eye contact with others in the group.
On average a sessions last from 30 to 60 minutes in duration.
1. Clap in rhythm while chanting, “ho, ho, ha, ha, ha”
Laughter Yoga clapping is different from regular clapping. Palms are facing one another and the aim is to have full impact with the palm area, fingers hit opposite fingers. This warm up exercise stimulates acupressure points on the palms and improves blood circulation in the entire body. Clapping while chanting and moving about the room while maintaining eye contact with others helps build energy levels and creates a sense of playfulness and well-being.
2. Breathe deeply
Deep breathing brings about physical and mental relaxation. The most important part of any yoga practice is the breath. Yoga (in any form) cultivates deep breathing. Deep breathing increases oxygen delivery to the body, specifically, to your cells, and aids in detoxification and stress relief.
We breathe in as we lift our arms up (don’t worry about how far you can lift your arms, do what you can, remember: no new pain) and exhale fully as we release our arms to the sides.
Exercises such as jogging and running promote circulation, Laughter Yoga uniquely uses the abdomen. Most of our lung capacity comes from abdominal breathing, but if you aren’t bringing in oxygen this way (as a result of shallow chest breathing), your body retains stale air full of carbon dioxide and potential toxins. Laughter increases oxygen intake and breathing in more fully oxygenates the blood, leaving the body bursting with energy.
More oxygen is good for you! 
3. Laugh
Many of the Laughter Yoga exercises originated from traditional yoga poses but the possibilities of creating new variations of laughter yoga exercises is limited only by the imagination of the participants.
Laughter Yoga combines breathing (pranayama) with rapid diaphragmatic contractions involved when we laugh from the belly.
Some techniques involve play acting (driving laughter, cocktail laughter, mental floss laughter) and others are called value-based techniques. The VBT’s are exercises where we put ourselves in real live (often stressful situations) and replace the negative responses with positive responses. Some examples include argument laughter, stuck in traffic laughter, credit card bill laughter and a recent development, Brazilian Bikini Wax Laughter (learn how to do it here).
Scientific research shows that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter (or fake smiles and real smiles). One gets the same physiological and psychological benefits from faking it as from doing it for real.
In Laughter Yoga, the “motion” of fake laughter, creates the “emotion” of joy. Trust me, it’s true!
Laughter Yoga was developed by Dr. Madan Kataria, a western trained medical doctor, in 1995. Laughter Yoga groups and classes are held in over 60 countries worldwide. Laughter Yoga has been reported in the news at CNN, Associated Press, Good Morning America, National Public Radio, ABC and Oprah, to name a few.
Laughter Yoga Self-Assessment Test
You may benefit from Laughter Yoga if you answer YES to any of the following questions.
- Are you a fan of giggling?
- Would you like to smile more?
- Are you physically and emotionally stressed out?
- Do you want to create space in your life for childlike playfulness and joy?
- Would you like to clear away negativity?
- Are you interested in a holistic and drug-free way to attain mental, spiritual, emotional and physical wellness?
- Are you looking for a fun and easy aerobic exercise?
- Would you like to increase your energy naturally?
- Are you interested in reducing pain?
- Would you like to be more creative?
- Are you looking to connect with other laughter lovers in a friendly environment?
Relative Contraindications/Medical Advisory: Laughter Yoga is not a substitute for medical consultation for physical or mental illnesses.
Rule # 1 in Laughter Yoga is NO STRAIN, NO NEW PAIN.
Laughter Yoga is aerobic exercise and it is not suitable for people suffering from uncontrolled high blood pressure, people who have had surgery within the last 3 months, acute illness, internal bleeding, severe heart disease, epilepsy (or seizure disorders), any kind of hernia, severe backache or psychotic disorders.
For more information about Laughter Yoga, visit Dr. Madan Kataria, Founder of Laughter Yoga, at www.LaughterYoga.org.
Giggle On™ is a work in progress. Thank you for your interest, patience and loving support.
- a foolish laugh with a short catches of the breath or voice; laughter in an uncontrolled, silly or giddy way; to laugh repeatedly with short spasmodic sounds in a light manner.
