Laughing Yoga : What and How Does its work?
What is Laughing Yoga ?
Laughing yoga, also known as laughter yoga, is a playful exercise that mixes movement and breathing techniques to encourage intentional laughter. Dr. Madan Kataria, a family physician from Mumbai, India, created it in 1995.
His goal was to improve physical, mental, and spiritual health through deliberate laughter, which he believes offers the same benefits as spontaneous laughter, like reducing stress, boosting the immune system, and enhancing overall quality of life.
By learning to laugh on cue, people can manage stress, promote optimism, and stay positive. Controlled breathing during laughing yoga activates the body’s relaxation system, helping to reduce stress.
As adults, we often forget to laugh, and this practice helps bring joy and playfulness back into our lives. Today, laughing yoga is practiced in over 110 countries, with workshops available in places like college campuses, workplaces, and senior living facilities.
Laughing yoga is usually done in group settings, led by trained instructors who guide participants through exercises that promote laughter. A typical session starts with simple breathing techniques, rhythmic clapping, and chanting phrases like “ho-ho, ha-ha-ha” to help everyone relax and feel comfortable.
How to do it?
The class may also include improv exercises, positive affirmations, gentle stretching, yoga breathing techniques, and meditation. These combined activities aim to help participants laugh, relax, and not take themselves too seriously.
Does it work?
Laughter has immediate benefits, like improving your mood. Regular, daily laughter also has potential long-term benefits. Laughing releases endorphins and happy hormones like dopamine and serotonin while reducing stress hormones like cortisol.
These effects can lead to a better mood, reduced pain, lower blood pressure, a stronger immune system, and lower stress and depression levels.
Laughing with others strengthens social bonds and relationships, fostering feelings of security and relaxation. Research suggests the body may not distinguish between fake and real laughter, so even simulated laughter can provide benefits.
Studies have shown that laughing yoga can reduce depression, improve mood, lower cortisol levels, and reduce stress. Some findings suggest it may be as effective as aerobic exercise in reducing self-reported stress.
However, due to small sample sizes and subjective nature of these studies, more research is needed to fully understand the benefits of laughing yoga. While it shouldn’t replace conventional treatments, it can complement them well. There are virtually no downsides to participating in laughing yoga, making it accessible to everyone.
The Bottom Line
Laughing yoga is a fun, engaging way to incorporate laughter and reduce stress. By combining movement, improv, and breathing techniques, it helps participants focus on the present moment and relieve daily stress.
While more research is needed to confirm its benefits, the practice has few downsides and can be enjoyed by almost anyone. Laughing yoga offers a joyful way to reconnect with the simple pleasure of laughing and improve overall well-being.
Thank you….