Laughter Yoga (LY) is an exercise program developed by Indian physician Dr Madan Kataria that uses laughter as a catalyst for physical and mental wellbeing. It is practiced in more than 110 countries.
It combines laughter exercises with yoga breathing techniques (Pranayama) which brings more oxygen to our body and brain and releases endorphins, dopamine and serotonin making us feel more energetic and healthy. Ten to 15 minutes of LY exercises can reduce stress, make your immune system stronger and keep your mind positive during challenging times.
I am a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader trained by Dr Kataria himself
The concept of Laughter Yoga is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter. One gets the same physiological and psychological benefits.
Laughter Yoga facilitates an emotional cleansing process and helps to release natural joyful laughter inside of us. The techniques are effective even for people who have lost their laughter or have absolutely no sense of humor. People often say, “I am depressed”, “I cannot laugh”, or “I don’t feel like laughing”. We tell them, “It doesn’t matter, just bring us your willing body and we will make you laugh.” “How do you laugh when you’re in no mood to laugh or don’t have any reason to laugh?” The answer is "Motion Creates Emotion".
The mind and the body are connected, if one can bring a change in body behavior one can experience the change in mental state.
Our body and mind can be trained to laugh at will. By repeating any bodily behavior over a period of time, the mind begins to generate a predictable response. Thus, by doing laughter exercises on a regular basis, people become conditioned to be joyful. With Laughter Yoga, the brain develops new neuronal connections that produce happy chemistry in the body. These reactions can be triggered simply by laughter exercises, and doing certain actions of the body, which lead the mind to experience the emotion of joy.
At present I have decided not to charge for my Laughter Yoga sessions and offer them as my contribution towards a happier and healthier world. In return, I ask participants to "pay it forward" and do an act of kindness for someone else after each session you attend. This could be donating a small amount to a good cause, or doing something nice for someone else. If you post your "pay it forward" deed on social media please tag me. My Instagram is @patricia_coachingtherapy.net
SCHEDULE: WEDNESDAYS AT 12 PM EST AND SUNDAYS AT 11 AM EST (DURATION IS 15 TO 20 MINUTES)