- This is a guest post for Powered by Intuition by Maria Ranier
Laughter is a universal language.
Little is lost in translation and there are no cultural, ethnic, or religious boundaries.
Rarely, however, do we laugh out of pure joy as do children on swing sets or skydivers jumping out of planes.
Most of our laughter today is triggered by a joke or humor of some kind, and sometimes something bitter and not funny at all.
The beginning of laughter
If anyone in a laughter yoga class smirks or pretends to give a little giggle for the sake of the teacher, it never takes long before they begin laughing—uncontrollably, inexplicably, and with pure joy—from their very hearts.
Laughter yoga was conceived by Indian guru Jiten Kohi and popularized as an exercise and peace-building routine by Indian physician Madan Kataria.
Kataria’s book, Laugh for No Reason, has caused a small and seemingly silly movement in recreational parks in India to swell to a global phenomenon 6,000 Social Laughter Clubs strong in over 60 countries.
The benefits of laughter
Kataria asserts that anyone can laugh for no reason. In fact, the human body cannot distinguish between sincere and fake laughter; the body and the mind benefit from both.
In this way, laughter yoga sessions begin without humor, without jokes, and instead with forced giggles and childish playfulness. This fake laughter quickly becomes real.
Kataria’s yoga combines unconditional laughter (laughing for no reason) with yogic breathing from the diaphragm (Pranayama).
Students do not adhere to traditional asanas and instead maintain eye contact with each other to feel connected as well as to trigger laughter.
Western and Eastern medicine have said for some time now: laughter is the best medicine and luckily far more contagious than any sniffle or pox. If this is true, we are all the richer for laughter yoga’s spread across the world.
Laughing provides these benefits:
- It relaxes the entire body, relieving it of physical tension for up to nearly an hour after the fact (depending on the degree of laughter, of course).
- It triggers the release of endorphins, the happy hormone. This can temporarily relieve pain and provide a feeling of wellness and joy.
- It boosts the immune system by increasing immune cells and antibodies (which fight infections).
- It protects your heart by improving blood flow, thereby helping to stave off cardiovascular problems.
Given all of these benefits laughter for both the well and the weak, Kataria as well as members of laughter yoga clubs aim to spread good health, joy, and world peace through this universal language.
Have you ever participated in a laughter yoga class? Would you try laughter yoga? Which benefit appeals to you the most?
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Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education, where she’s been performing gender wage gap research as related to the highest paying college degrees. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.
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This is wonderful. You knwo I’m a Yoga nut. Three-four times a week. And with one instructor we do laugh, but not like this. What a superlative combination–Yoga and Laughter. Cannot be anything better to cure what ails.
What a lovely theme. What a blessing to laugh spontaneously, for the pure joy of being alive, and seeing the world in all its many moods and colors changing before one’s very eyes.
Hi Christopher,
It’s a pleasure to meet you. Welcome!
Yes, laughter yoga – who would have thought? It does sound wonderful.
Thank you so much for coming by and commenting.
I have found very little more vibe-lifting than laughter. And I was really excited when I discovered laughter yoga a few months ago. Who knew you could pretend to laugh and have it lead you to the real thing? 🙂 Of course, with a goofy dog around, I rarely have to pretend. 😉
Hi Ande,
When I was little we used to do that – force ourselves to laugh. Of course soon we’d really be laughing. It was great.
Who knew we were really on to something!
Have you been attending classes regularly?
I hadn’t heard of laughter yoga before – thinking about it though, it makes sense. What a great way to release and connect.
I really like the concept of laughter yoga.
Hi Aileen,
Thinking about it makes me want to laugh~! I’d love to try it.
Maria, Angela,
I agree and love this, I think laughter is best remedy to most situation. It has helped me a few times! My parents actually went to once laughter club meeting for seniors and they enjoyed and laughed a lot. I wished there was club for every age group!
Preeti
Hi Preeti,
I think this sounds wonderful. I’d love to attend a club meeting.
Hi Maria – laughter yoga sounds so exciting. My kids (mostly my son) starts laughing all the time for no reason, just to laugh, and it’s so contagious…I end up joining in the laughter followed by my wife. We laugh sometimes to the point that we all tear up. It’s great.
I mention that because I know how much power is packed behind laughter – so the benefits of laughter yoga HAS to be amazing.
Hello Angela! I hope that you’ve been well.
Hi Jk,
I love when little kids laugh for no reason. It’s so infectious!
(Jk – I just responded to your email too – thanks for that by the way. That was so kind of you!)
Angela,
Thanks for helping us find another way to laugh! I’m not a yoga guy, but I can appreciate the art.
Alex
Hi Alex,
I like this way of laughing – it doesn’t even require a joke, or hiring a comedian~!
I recently read a lengthy article of Madan Kataria in the New Yorker. I have not tried it yet either but it does sound fascinating. I absolutely love, love the idea of laughing for no reason… seems to me there could be tremendous benefits
Hi Rob,
I know. Doesn’t this sound great? I want to find a group an attend a session or two.
I don’t know about you, but I could use a lot of good laughs!
What I find interesting is how much of our health is totally in our control. If we were truly mindful that laughter (or even smiling) had such transformative benefits, we would laugh and grin at every opportunity. But so often our defaults are that of “coolness” and “professionalism”. I’m so thankful that I’m able to choose the clients now who are able to poke fun at their situations. It might not be the most professional attitude, but if you’re resisting feeling good about ANYTHING, you need to take a long hard look at what you believe to be true.
Hi Shanna,
You make some great points. We do live in a society that values: coo & professionalism, over joy and humility.
Resistance only makes our lives harder, doesn’t it?
Thanks so much for coming by and commenting. It’s a pleasure chatting with you!
thanks for this post – i didn’t know there was laughter yoga but it sure sounds like fun.
laughing does instantly unite us in such a joyful way. it breaks down barriers, feels good and is an expression of the soul.
perhaps laughing is the sound of true liberation. it’s certainly a way to get into the present moment – we always laugh in the NOW!
thanks so much ~
julie
Hi Julie,
What a great thought: We always laugh in the now. That’s very insightful. It hadn’t even occurred to me.
I think you hit the nail on the head with this thought. Thanks so much for visiting and commenting. It’s a pleasure to meet you.
Hi Maria,
While I don’t regularly participate in laughter yoga, it is something I have done…and it is so, so good!!
Wow, I’m thinking back now to a time I did this about a year ago. It was such a a feel-good moment…and one that carried with me after I left that session!
Keep spreading the word about this – it is such a wonderful way to heal, to love, to live…
Hi Lance,
I know! Doesn’t this sound great? At least you’ve tried it – I never have. I’d love to. It sounds wonderful and the benefits are “amazing!” Thanks so much for visiting. It’s such a pleasure having you come by to chat!