what is laughter yoga?
Laughter Yoga is not "traditional" Hatha-style yoga. There are no strenuous postures to master, although you get the same relaxing, centering effect. That's why this practice is grouped with yoga. If you can laugh, you'll be able to participate. During laughter yoga classes, we use our laughter not as an emotion, but as exercise to help our brains produce a cocktail of feel-good neurochemicals like endorphins - those are responsible for creating the "runner's high".Classes usually start with information about laughter yoga from Leigh and watching an online video clip of another laughter club (to get an idea of what's to come). Then we "rest down" by spending a few minutes in silent meditation. For about 20 minutes, we laugh for no reason using warm-up, "laughter games", more silly laughter games, and finish with a five minute laughter meditation. After our hard laughter work, we relax during a 5-6 minute silent meditation (stress relief is tangible during the silent meditation).
P.S. - You can "fake" laugh through the entire class. Your brain doesn't know the difference. You'll get the same benefits. Read on for more!why laugh? more oomph
By practicing the intentional breathing in yogic laughter, we- increase our lung capacity
- boost mental clarity
- promote healthy digestion
- and yes - even tone our abs
Laughter Yoga is Keeping People Healthy
virbrant and expressive
When we consciously laugh, within 30 seconds our brains begin producing natural mood boosters and painkillers. We get:- increased serotonin - soothes anxiety and helps us feel happier
- increased endorphins - the natural confidence and "high" that many athletes experience
Oprah Winfrey Show Reggie Wells: Laughter Yoga
deny the dull
“If you’re laughing with a group of other people, fake laughter very quickly becomes real. It’s part of the social phenomenon.” -- Jeffery Briar, MSNBC Finding humor in circumstances can help us to:- develop control over situations that disturb us
- relax in social situations
- release our inhibitions
- become more playful and child-like
Laughter Yoga CNN Report
immunity powerhouse
Extended laughter builds the immune system by increasing the blood’s supply of T-cells, our body’s natural illness fighters. Laughter Yoga Is Serious Medicine For Cancer Patients
worldwide acclaim
53 Countries (and counting) and 5,000 laughter Clubs have discovered that laughter is still the best medicine - no matter the circumstance or illness. Laughter is part of the universal human vocabulary. All of us understand it!- Non-Political
- Non-Religious
- Non-Exploitive
- Non-Competitive
- Non-Perfectionistic
- Non-Threatening
Laughter Yoga Crosses Cultural Barriers in Hawaii
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