Laughter yoga, also known as Hasyayoga, is a modern form of yoga that is based on the positive effects of laughter. In laughter yoga, people practice voluntary laughter as it is believed that it provides similar benefits as spontaneous laughter. Laughter yoga combines what one usually associates with traditional yoga with the element of conscious laughing. It includes warm-up exercises such as stretching, breathing, and meditation and activities that induce laughter.
There is a significant body of work behind laughter therapy. Research suggests that laughing can have immense physiological and psychological benefits. The body cannot differentiate intentional laughter from spontaneous laughter, which is why laughter therapy works.
Benefits of laughter yoga are a combination of the benefits of traditional yoga and laughter therapy. Much like regular yoga, laughter yoga helps improve blood circulation, muscle toning, weight-loss through the various exercises, and asanas one performs. In addition to this, the meditation and breathing activities in yoga help calm the mind, improve concentration, and rejuvenate the soul. The act of laughing through activities further enhances the effects of yoga. It improves mental health, helping people cope with their anxiety and feelings of depression.
One may get a couple of friends together to practice laughter yoga together. Activities such as clapping, playful dancing, making silly faces, telling each other jokes are all activities one can incorporate into their laughter yoga session. Laughter yoga is a great group activity, allowing one to meet new people and practice a healthy activity together. It builds community and belongingness as people exercise, meditate, and laugh together.
Laughter yoga is a fresh change from regular life. It brings a little more spontaneity to the day, enabling one to feel energized and ready to take on the day.
