Have you heard of Laughter Yoga?
It's a thing now – chuckling and stretching at the same time. You might be eye-rolling at the thought of it, but this really simple combo of exercise and giggles has been proven to have profound physiological and psychological benefits.
The body and mind reap the same positive benefits from fake or real laughter, so doing this for just a couple of minutes every day could be a serious game-changer for your everyday mood.
The movement was founded by Dr Madan Kataria in 1995 – a medical doctor from Mumbai, who is known as the ‘Guru of Giggling'. While researching the benefits of laughter, he was amazed by the number of studies showing serious results. It started with just five people in a public park in Mumbai and has grown into a worldwide collection of more than 6,000 Laughter Yoga clubs in over 60 countries.
We chatted to Laughter Yoga instructor, Aoife Nelson, who believes we can all get a little slice of happiness in our lives by moving our bodies and strumming our vocal chords.
"Laughter is a Universal language. It can be practiced anywhere; while taking a shower, doing the housework... the imagination is the limit. It's a quick and easy way to boost your mood at any time during your day, here's how:
- Everyone can do laughter yoga. Even if you don't feel like laughing, we start off by "fake" laughing. Making laughter sounds such as "Hahaha" or "Hohoho" along with some very gentle breathing and stretching exercises.
- Even if the laughter is "fake" it very quickly turns into real laughter. When with a group of people, we find laughter is very contagious and spreads very quickly.
- Take a few slow breaths in and out, in your own pace.
- Do this for five breathes, or more if you like.
- Then, hands on belly, say out loud" Ho Ho Ho". Repeat 3 times.
- Next place hands over your heart and say "Ha ha ha!" Repeat 3 times.
- Next, place hands on your throat and say "Hee hee hee!" Repeat 3 times.
- Then play around with these going from one to the next and see what happens – this is best practiced with more than one person. As the saying goes "Fake it till you make it!"
The physical benefits
- Increases oxygen in body.
- Improves detoxification.
- Boosts mood by stimulating release of dopamine and seratonin, some of our body's most wonderful endorphins.
- Lowers blood sugar levels.
- Lowers heart rate and blood pressure.
- Increased immune response.
- Helps deepen relaxation and improves sleep.
- Laughter stimulates the respiratory system, allowing in more oxygen and using more of our lung capacity.
- It burns calories.
- It is a mild aerobic workout (which can be as gentle or as vigorous as desired, so that it is suitable for all ages and physical abilities).
- Laughing exercises deep abdominal muscles that no other exercise can reach.
The social benefits
- Laughing unites people at a deep level.
- When we laugh together we feel more connected to each other.
The mental benefits
- It has been said that when we are really laughing, we cannot think at the same time, allowing us to forget our worries and perhaps gain more clarity and perspective.
- There is a saying " Ha ha leads to A-ha!" - helping us to find creative solutions and boosting creativity in general, due to deeper relaxation.
Fancy joining Aoife Nelson at a laughter meet-up? Check out the
Laughter Yoga page
