Laughter Yoga

     Today I had a rather unusual but happy experience.  What had been billed as a Mindfulness workshop actually turned out to be a Laughter Yoga session.

      Laughter Yoga? What's that?  Yoga is all about beneficial breathing (morphing into a human pretzel or other impossible poses are more of an aside) and Laughter Yoga takes it one step further.  There is healing in laughter--natural endorphins and serotonin is released when one laughs--and the body does not distinguish real laughter from forced laughter. This makes laughter a natural therapy and antidote to stress of all kind that builds up in our daily existence.  

    Janni Goss- a physiotherapist, Wellbeing Educator and Laughter Yoga teacher-led us through some exercises.  Clap your hands while saying Ho Ho Ha Ha Ha [much like dancing- Step, Step, cha-cha-cha]  and  (clapping twice) Ha Ha (two thumps way up) Yes   and   do a witch's cackle while stirring an imaginary pot  and    Ha Ha  laugh while tossing an imaginary hot potato to someone else.  Did it feel a bit foolish or forced at times? Well, yes, but at the end of the session it was easy to see that laughter--real or forced--is quite the aerobic activity even if one is seated the entire time. My heart was pumping! (This makes it a good workout at senior centers and for dementia patients.)

Photo: laughteryoga.org

    This is not just something we at the far end of the planet do to amuse ourselves. The Laughter Yoga movement started with five people in 1995 and  has mushroomed into 16,000+ laughter clubs in 104 countries.  There is an international Laughter Yoga resource where you can find a club near you.  Here are the links for North America  and Australia.   Want to sample this experience anonymously and without pressure?  You are in luck.  May 7th is World Laughter Day and public Laughter Yoga sessions are being held everywhere. In Perth, the session will be in Kings Park between 12noon and 2pm. Check the Laughter Yoga International link or your local website for the location nearest you. 

     Laughter is contagious.  Can you think of any other contagion more worthy of catching?