The next morning, I explained this to the group and asked them to try and act out laughter with me for one minute. Though skeptical, they agreed to try"
"The results were amazing. For some, acted out laughter quickly turned into real laughter --- this was contagious and very soon others followed. Soon the group was laughing like never before. The hearty laughter that followed persisted for almost ten minutes.
Finally, there was laughter, real laughter -- with no jokes.
The fact that one could laugh without an external trigger was a unique feature. But there were some people who were naturally inhibited and shy and found it difficult to generate laughter. As every person has a different psychological make-up; it was harder for some to laugh. My new challenge was how to get these people laughing without any reason.
I came up with an idea of warm-up exercises, such as clapping and chanting ho ho ha ha ha. This loosened the inhibitions and helped people to laugh easily. Soon different kinds of laughter exercises were developed, which included elements of role-play, childlike playfulness and other techniques from my days as an amateur dramatic actor.
As the concept evolved, I saw many similarities between laughter and Pranayama in Yoga. Both were based on the principle of optimal breathing - fundamental to good health. Together with my wife, Madhuri, we incorporated the elements from this ancient form of Yogic breathing with laughter and the result was Laughter Yoga or Hasya Yoga (as known in Sanskrit) - a complete workout for health and wellness. A physically-oriented technique, it allows for multiple health benefits, primarily increasing the supply of oxygen, boosting the immune system and energizing and recharging the metabolism.
Today, with thousands of Laughter Yoga Clubs burgeoning
worldwide, scores of people are taking advantage of the enormous benefits of
laughter and are experiencing relief from a variety of stress-related
illnesses. It has grown on its own
strength, and the actual benefits are undeniable.
Laughter Yoga -- A Unique Delivery System
Until now there was no reliable and effective system to deliver laughter. Humor was the only tool available, which is not very consistent and seldom leads to continuous hearty laughter. Laughter Yoga is a breakthrough laughter delivery system which enables a person to laugh continuously for 15 to 20 minutes.
Laughter Yoga combines unconditional laughter with yogic breathing (Pranayama). Anyone can laugh for no reason, without relying on humor, jokes or comedy. In a session, laughter is simulated as a body exercise in a group. The group maintains eye contact and childlike playfulness, and laughter soon turns real and contagious. The concept of Laughter Yoga is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter--if it is done willingly. One gets the same physiological and psychological benefits, purely from the motion. It approaches laughter as a bodily exercise, making it simple for everyone to follow and can actually be prescribed and practiced by one and all irrespective of cultural background, language and state of mind as it is a common language we all speak.
Laughter Yoga is fast sweeping the globe and has become a worldwide phenomenon. It is now being practiced in companies, old age homes, schools, colleges, fitness centers, community centers, prisons, hospitals, homes for the physically and mentally challenged and cancer self-help group to promote complete wellness. It can also be a value addition to other health building activities like yoga, meditation, aerobics, Tai-Chi, etc.
Dr Madan Kataria MD
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