Ho ho ha ha ha! 

What is Laughter Yoga?

Laughter Yoga is a unique exercise routine, which combines Unconditional Laughter with Yogic Breathing (Pranayama). In it, we

• Laugh for No Reason;
• Do not rely on humor, jokes or comedy;
• Use eye contact and childlike playfulness which usually turns into real and contagious laughter.

Anyone can laugh without relying on humor, jokes or comedy. Laughter is initially simulated as a physical exercise while maintaining eye contact with others in the group and promoting childlike playfulness. In most cases this soon leads to real and contagious laughter.

The concept of Laughter Yoga is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter. One gets the same physiological and psychological benefits.

Laughter Yoga is the only technique that allows adults to achieve sustained hearty laughter without involving cognitive thought. It bypasses the intellectual systems that normally act as a brake on  

natural laughter.
 

Connecting People
Since meaning of yoga is to connect through unconditional laughter, group
members connect with each other quickly no matter which country or culture they belong to, what language they speak or how they live. Laughter Yoga promotes a strong union between those who laugh together resulting in family-like bond, providing social interaction and networking --- essential for happiness. The goal of Laughter Yoga is to connect people with one another at heart level without judgment --- that is the true meaning of Yoga.
 

How did Laughter Yoga come about?
Many individuals have contributed to the history of modern therapeutic laughter. However, Laughter Yoga was made popular as an exercise routine developed by Indian physician Madan Kataria. Kataria writes about the practice in his book "Laugh For No Reason". Kataria launched the first Laughter Club at a park on March 13, 1995. Today, it has become a worldwide phenomenon with more than 6000 Social Laughter Clubs in about 60 countries. Each club has its own Laugh Captain and operates as an independent cell.

There are three components of a complete experience of Laughter Yoga:

1)  Laughter Yoga Session

2)  Laughter Meditation

3)  Guided Relaxation

How does it start?

Laughter Yoga sessions start with gentle warm-up techniques which include stretching, chanting, clapping and body movement. These help break down inhibitions and develop feelings of childlike playfulness. Breathing exercises are used to prepare the lungs for laughter, followed by a series of 'laughter exercises' that combine the method of acting and visualization techniques with playfulness.

These exercises, when combined with the strong social dynamics of group behavior, lead to prolong and hearty unconditional laughter. Laughter exercises are interspersed with breathing exercises. Scientifically it has been proved that twenty minutes of laughter is sufficient to develop full physiological benefits.

How does it end?

A Laughter Yoga session may finish with 'laughter meditation'. This is a session of  unstructured laughter whereby participants sit or lie down and allow natural laughter to flow from within us like a fountain. This is a powerful experience that often leads to a healthy emotional catharsis and also a feeling of release and joyfulness that can last for days. This can be followed by guided relaxation exercises.

Reasons to do Laughter Yoga here!