Laughter Yoga combines the benefits of yoga and laughter therapy and raises adrenaline levels . Let’s find out better.

>   The Meaning of Laughter Yoga

>   Origins and philosophy  of Laughter Yoga

>   The practice

>   The Benefits  of Laughter Yoga

>   The teachers and the schools

>   Curiosities on  Laughter Yoga

Laughter Yoga Meaning

Laughter Yoga is also called Laughter yoga (“laughter” in English means laughter). Laughter Yoga combines the theories of Unconditioned Laughter with the breathing techniques of classical Yoga ( Prananyana ).

Origins and philosophy  of Laughter Yoga

Laughter yoga is a particular type of practice that combines yoga with the simple idea that laughing is good for your health and that you don’t need a trigger to do it. The simple slogan “make your body laugh and your mind will follow it” sums up the philosophy and practice of this type of discipline very well.

Its founder is an allopathic doctor from Mumbai, Dr. Madan Kataria , who in the early nineties began to spread his vision made up of a mixture of the ancient discipline of yoga and the most modern theories of the science of laughter ( gelotology ). These theories study the effects that laughing has on the human body, from a psychic and physical point of view, including increased immune defenses, improved respiratory system and many others.

The combination with the more traditional practices of yoga was born because Dr. Kataria realizes that, in order to push people to overcome their inhibitions and laugh even for no apparent reason (a joke, a funny situation, etc.), it is necessary to create a state of environmental and personal relaxation. Thus the typical yoga exercises of Pranayama have become a kind of “warm-up” for the Laughter Yoga session, helping people to relax and stimulate the abdominal muscles involved.

Laughter yoga has spread massively around the world since 1995, counting over 600 clubs in 60 countries .

Practice

Laughter Yoga sessions are divided into 20-30 minutes maximum , with an initial warm-up phase that includes some breathing exercises, the vocalization of the mantra ” ho ho ha ha ha ” and the rhythmic clapping of the hands. Sometimes the practice of “speaking Gibberish” (meaningless speaking) can also be included.

After the warm-up, we move on to the phase of real laughter stimulations, each of which must not last more than 30-40 seconds. Each stimulation is interspersed with stretching and breathing exercises typical of Hatha yoga. The aim is to increase the intensity of some physiological benefits generated by laughing (such as oxygenation of the blood , the production of serotonin , antibodies, endorphins ) and to stimulate a positive attitude both towards oneself and towards the world.

At the end of each session, a minute of silence is observed to internalize and integrate the good mood and well-being achieved, preceded by the loud repetition of the 3 “mottos” of the yoga of laughter: “I am the happiest person in this world” YES, «I am the healthiest person in this world» YES, «I am a member of the Laughter Club» YE S.

Be comfortable with laughter yoga

The Benefits of Laughter Yoga

Laughter Yoga combines the benefits of yoga with the benefits of laughter therapy .
Laughter, on a physical level, produces an increase in the levels of adrenaline and dopamine, hormones responsible for the release in the body of natural morphinoids such as endorphins, enkephalins and the like. Endorphins cause a decrease in pain and tension and aid relaxation, while enkephalins stimulate the immune system .

Another natural stimulation of laughter is related to serotonin , an endogenous antidepressant, which helps to combat states of emotional distress. Some studies at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania have certified that Laughter Yoga helps fight the progression of arteriosclerosis and has an excellent preventive function for the same. At the same time it has therefore beneficial effects on heart problems and for those suffering from high blood pressure .

Other benefits of Laughter Yoga are at the level of respiratory functions (it is no coincidence that the mantra ” ho ho ha ha ha ” simulates the breathing technique called Kapalabhati in classical yoga). Laughing promotes deeper breathing and consequently better oxygenation of the blood with all the positive consequences that derive from it.

On a psychological level, it is evident how the affirmation of the principle of good humor and positivity (“make your body laugh and your mind will follow it”), has a significant  influence on stress-related disorders  and on the level of self-esteem, and so you help improve social relations.

All this, it is important to remember, has an effect, according to Laughter Yoga, even if the laughter is “fake”, induced, and not spontaneously resulting from a funny episode.

The teachers and the schools

Madan Kataria Contemporary instructor . The Indian allopathic doctor Madan Kataria, was born and lived in Bombai throughout his life until, in 1995, he decided to found a method to induce laughter without the need for ironic events.

From that moment he began to spread it all over the world and today he is president and founder of the Laughter Club International and of the International School of Laughter Yoga . His most famous book, Laugh for no Reason , has also been translated into Italian.

Curiosities about Laughter Yoga

The studies on gelotology are the same that led Patch Adams to introduce clown doctors in the pediatric wards of hospitals. The American doctor, made famous by the film with Robin Williams , was a pioneer of this discipline in the 1980s.