Laughter Yoga: you’re joking, right? - WeMystic

Laughter Yoga: you’re joking, right?


Home » Well-being Yoga
Neda S-W.
By Neda S-W.
TimeReading time: 0 min
  • Share on Whatsapp
  • Share on Telegram
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on Linkedin

Laughter Yoga is a type of yoga therapy, which, you guessed it, combines yoga asana with voluntary laughter. The aim being to relieve stress and have a positive impact on the health of the body and mind. Now, you may want to laugh us out of the room at this point, but please don’t….! Scroll down to find out more.

Laughter Yoga, as a practice was first talked about by Indian physician, Madan Kataria in his book: “Laugh For No Reason”. Laughter Yoga is also known as Hasyayoga. Hasya means, “to laugh”.

The basis of this practice is the belief that voluntary laughter brings about the same psychological and physiological effects as involuntary laughter. Such effects include: relaxation, stress relief, joy and positive feelings. The aim is to turn the forced laughter into spontaneous laughter through group work, eye contact and playfulness.

Laughter Yoga: theoretical foundation


laughter yoga

Laughter is universal to all humans. A famous Yiddish verb states:

“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul”

Laughter is a connector, a release. It is something that allows us to find common ground with anyone on this planet. Can induced laughter create all these great feelings? Yes, this is what Laughter Yoga practitioners believe to be true. Science agrees somewhat with this theory.

Humans, most of the time, are able to distinguish false laughter from real laughter, although even false laughter is still considered good for you. University College London found that although the most of same parts of the brain are triggered when people hear real and forced laughter, real laughter had less impact on the medial front cortex (which is involved in figuring out what the other person is trying to communicate).

This fits well with Laughter Yoga theory, which aims to eventually trigger genuine laughter in the participant during the session. It seems we are more focused on intention than genuineness of laughter. The intention in the laughter yoga sessions is to induce a feeling of joy and wellbeing so whether the laughter is real or not should not matter.

If the above isn’t enough to get you laughing all the way to class, an Oxford University study found laughter increased pain threshold in participants and confirmed that laughter is an important tool in social bonding.

What happens in class?

Laughter Yoga classes usually involve large groups of people, twenty or more participants. Attendees may start with clapping or chanting. Group exercise or dance movements may replace traditional asana or postures. In between induced laughter is pranayama (yogic breathing) to help calm and relax, during the session

There may also be laughter meditation, where practitioners sit in silence then initiate laughter. This can trigger all sorts of emotions including sadness and tears, but see it as a process of purging toxic emotions from the body.

Where can I practice?

Laughter Yoga classes are available online as well as at certain centers across the globe, check the local community centre rather than the local gym for this style of yoga though. It is also possible to fly to India to study Laughter Yoga teacher training.

In conclusion

Laughter Yoga is a relatively new style of yoga, only gaining recognition in the early 2000s.

It has its roots firmly based in science even though to many it seems a rather silly concept. While you may feel silly at first, give it a go, as they say, laughter is the best medicine and it might just be the tonic you need.


You may also like:

  • Types of Yoga: cheat sheet
  • Bhakti Yoga: a spiritual practice
  • Iyengar Yoga: slow and steady wins the race
  • Sivananda Yoga: what to know
  • Yoga Nidra: the yoga hack
  • Why choose Kripalu yoga over other styles?
  • Daily Horoscope

  • Weekly Horoscope

  • Monthly Horoscope

  • Horoscope 2023

  • Chinese Horoscope

  • Birth Chart

  • Zodiac Signs

  • Moon




  • Astrological Predictions 2023
  • Popular Posts

    • 1
      Moon Phases in February 2023 - general tips for the month
    • 2
      How to use stress to your advantage
    • 3
      Waxing Moon in 2023: the time for action
  • pinterest logo

    WeMystic

    Get on board!

    Followpinterest logo
    Wisdom and Self-Care - WeMystic
    Astrology and Horoscope - WeMystic
    Stones, Rituals and Amulets - WeMystic

    Most popular
    of the week

    image

    How to attract money with bay leaves

    image

    Burning cinnamon for money: how to attract prosperity

    image

    Sacred codes for love: make use of them to attract love

    image

    6 Signs that money is coming

  • - Advertisement -
     

EN
  • ES
  • FR
  • PT-BR
WeMystic
  • Home
  • Astrology
    • Astrology
    • Zodiac Signs
    • Daily Horoscope
    • Weekly Horoscope
    • Your Monthly Horoscope
    • Predictions 2023 🍀
    • Chinese Horoscope
  • Esotericism
    • Esotericism
    • Baths and Cleanses
    • Stones, Rituals and Amulets
    • Numerology
    • Tarot and Palmistry
  • Spirituality
    • Spirituality
    • Chakras
    • Karma and Reincarnation
    • Dream Interpretation
    • Buddhism and Hinduism
    • Prayers, Angels and Psalms
  • Well-being
    • Well-being
    • Alternative Therapies
    • Natural Products
    • Feng Shui
    • Meditation
    • Wisdom and Self-Empowerment
    • Yoga
  • Online reading
    • Online reading
    • Gypsy Tarot Online
    • Online Tarot reading
    • Rune Reading
    • Angels Tarot
    • Online Numerology
  • WeMystic

    WeMystic is an information site and its content is not of scientific rigor. All prices and characteristics of the products presented are valid as of the date of publication of the content and may be changed without prior notice. The process of buying and / or using the products mentioned herein is entirely the responsibility of the user and the company responsible for the marketing of the product.


  • About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookies Policy
© 2022 WeMystic - Made by us, with ♥
  • Home
  • Astrology
    • Astrology
    • Zodiac Signs
    • Daily Horoscope
    • Weekly Horoscope
    • Your Monthly Horoscope
    • Predictions 2023 🍀
    • Chinese Horoscope
  • Esotericism
    • Esotericism
    • Baths and Cleanses
    • Stones, Rituals and Amulets
    • Numerology
    • Tarot and Palmistry
  • Spirituality
    • Spirituality
    • Chakras
    • Karma and Reincarnation
    • Dream Interpretation
    • Buddhism and Hinduism
    • Prayers, Angels and Psalms
  • Well-being
    • Well-being
    • Alternative Therapies
    • Natural Products
    • Feng Shui
    • Meditation
    • Wisdom and Self-Empowerment
    • Yoga
  • Online reading
    • Online reading
    • Gypsy Tarot Online
    • Online Tarot reading
    • Rune Reading
    • Angels Tarot
    • Online Numerology
  • WeMystic
Cookies