When I first heard of Laughter Yoga whilst on holiday in Mallorca, I thought it was a joke.
Then I met a Laughter Yoga Leader on a therapy training course, and she introduced me to this fun, life-enhancing style of yoga.
I loved it and came away with a big smile on my face. This smile wider as I saw that not only was Laughter Yoga great laugh, it was seriously good for you too.
In fact, it’s for this very reason that people often refer to it as the fun, interactive ‘wellbeing workout’.
Who knew exercise could be so funny?
However, perhaps the biggest misconception about Laughter Yoga is that whilst it is about laughing, it’s not about jokes, humour or comedy.
The reason it’s called Laughter Yoga is because it combines simple and enjoyable Laughter Exercises with the deep, restorative breathing techniques of yoga.
The practice of Laughter Yoga is based on the scientific fact that your body cannot tell the difference between fake laughter and real laughter. Amazingly, you enjoy the very same physical and psychological benefits from doing laughter exercises as you do from ‘real’ laughter.
We all know laughter makes us feel good but there is also a growing body of evidence that shows that is also does us good.
The many benefits of Laughter Yoga include:
Changing your mood within minutes by releasing ‘happy’ chemicals called endorphins. (You may also find that through regular practice of laughter Yoga that you even become more cheerful and laugh more than you normally do).
Increasing your heart rate - just like any aerobic exercise – thereby bringing more oxygen into the body and brain, making you feel energised and relaxed.
Reducing stress levels and boosting the immune system.
Building new connections and making new friends through the Laughter Yoga Clubs
Developing a more positive outlook on life by rediscovering the fun in life.
One of the things I love most about Laughter Yoga is that it’s suitable for anybody of any age and of pretty much any ability. You don’t need to have done yoga before and if you have, you’ll find that Laughter Yoga is refreshingly different. You don’t need any specialist equipment or clothing to take part in a Laughter Yoga session. In fact, all you do need is simply an open-mind and a sense of fun.
Laughter Yoga is most often practised in free Laughter Yoga Clubs. These are traditionally help in person but have moved increasingly online due to the current circumstances.
You can also start the day with a laugh by joining one of two UK based, Telephone Laugher Clubs. You can find out more details of these on the official UK Laughter Yoga website.
What’s more, since Laughter Yoga was developed by Dr Madan Kataria, a medical doctor in India, it has spread to more than 110 countries worldwide with in excess of 10,000 regular Laughter Clubs.
Laughter Yoga will be coming to Sheffield soon to bring an even brighter smile to the Steel City. These (hopefully) in person sessions will be free with a voluntary donation to cover costs and support a local charity. More details coming soon.
Get in touch to find out more.