I first became aware of the laughter yoga craze after coming across a class video on YouTube.
I was slightly dubious, but I was intrigued all the same.
Are you in need of a good laugh?
Sweenshots & Shaymone / Stocksy
What Is Laughter Yoga?
It’s as simple as breathing in and laughing out!
Thebreathwork, like that used in moretraditional styles of yoga, involves deep belly or diaphragm breathing.
Rob and Julia Campbell / Stocksy
Lastly, the clapping has a specific form and function.
The Benefits
McGinley says that laughter yoga has many health benefits.
It’s playful, childlike, and funso necessary for adults.
sofie delauw / Stocksy
Plus, its free and can help you feel more energized.
This amazing, transformative laughter yoga energy travels out of your body into the world, says McGinley.
The Drawbacks
Though its generally safe, laughter yoga may not be suitable for everyone.
It involves some physical strain and a rise in intra-abdominal pressure, notes McGinley.
Only do what feels right for you.
It initially began with each telling a joke to attempt to make the group laugh.
This worked at first, and each felt uplifted and in a better mood.
But soon the jokes ran out and they found themselves laughing for no reason.
(This would later become the title of Katarias book.)
Unfortunately, its a rare occurrence to laugh until your stomachs sore.
The yoga aspect of laughter yoga came from Katarias wife, Madhuri.
She had been a yoga teacher and knew what thehealth benefits yogic deep breathingcould bring to the practice.
Laughter yoga is now a worldwide phenomenon.
(Youve probably experienced this when laughingyour skin flushing red and feeling warm.)
Laughing is also seen as a catharsis to help expel emotions, stress, and anger.
Have you ever noticed that its hard to feel angry or stressed when youre laughing?
Hence, a class.
The Class
A laughter yoga class is usually between 30-60 minutes or so.
The one I went to was one hour.
), and create rapport.
Because youre being led and doing tasks, the embarrassment factor you might be fearing is largely taken away.
I had envisioned standing still in front of everyone fake laughing, almost like a standup gig gone wrong.
Luckily, it was nothing like this.
The bulk of the class involved a series of simple improv-like games.
We were led through deep breathing, placing our hands on our diaphragm to make it expand and contract.
The addition of music furthered the relaxed atmosphere.
Another clap was accompanied by the chant, Very good, very good, yayyyy!
while reaching up with thumbs up and smiling.
This upward action alone greatly increases positivity and boosts our moods andenergy.
And, McGinley is right: I felt childlike.
Its only in adulthood we stop playing and being silly for the sake of it, after all.
Ive tried this since and can vouch for its effectiveness.
Try it nowsmile; then laugh for about 10 seconds while putting your arms up in the air.
Do you feel that little lift of energy fromyour core?
Imagine that for an hour.
I was glad I made the effort, as I was remarkably less anxious than when I arrived.
There was a lot less yoga than I imagined.
I had envisioned holding yoga poses while laughing.
Rather, see it as an add-on.
I was energized, de-stressed, and would recommend everyone give it a try.
Just no video evidence, kindly.
2016;10(4):262-267.
2015;3(1):3138.
