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LAUGHTER YOGA

To Host a Laughter Session

If you are interested in hosting a laughter session or simply want more information please contact Kit Kammer at kammer@mindspring.com or (404) 378-4454 or Jean Woodall at (404) 378-1673.

What is a Laughter Club

It has long been known that laughter is good medicine, and now comes Healing Laughter, the latest in stress-reduction therapy.  Derived from yoga and supported by modern science, Healing Laughter is a therapy which helps to laugh your stress away.

People in Laughter Clubs use a systematic method of chuckles, chortles, giggling and guffawing to reduce stress, prevent hardening of the attitudes, and contribute to world peace.  The laughter routine, designed to make anyone feel better, works without using jokes or comedy to stimulate laughter.  Kammer says “There can be many sensitive issues around humor, such as people not getting jokes or being offended by them.  So we skip jokes altogether.  We laugh with each other, never at each other.  At first the laughter exercise routines can seem a bit contrived, but soon peals of genuine happiness- and health- boosting laughter ring out and roll on.”

A physician in India, Madan Kataria, originated the laughter club idea in 1995.  He blended yoga breathing and “playful” exercises that are meant to be practiced in a group.  Hence Hasya, or laughter, Yoga.  It was taken up in 1998 by American psychologist and self-proclaimed “Cheerman of the Bored”, Steve Wilson from Columbus, Ohio.   It is becoming popular in workplaces, health clubs, retirement communities, nursing homes and schools.  There are now more than 2,500 laughter clubs worldwide.

According to Kammer, “Laughter is a universal language, which in our groups acts as a powerful social and emotional glue.  Laughter has no accent.  Laughter clubs are open to everyone.”

The Five Health Benefits of Laughter 

  1.  It stimulates a mild to moderate cardiovascular workout.

  2. It produces endorphins, which counteract the production of stress hormones.

  3. It appears to optimize the immune system.

  4. It reduces self-consciousness and boosts self-confidence.

  5. It relaxes muscles and helps fight the chronic pain associated with muscle tension.

Materials and References

 

"Health: Latest Hybrid Yoga Encourages Giggling Toward a Higher Plane", Jennifer Saranow, The Wall Street Journal, October 13, 2004

"They laugh and teach the world to laugh with them", Karen Fritscher-Porter, The Christian Science Monitor, June 9, 2004

"The Funny Thing About Laughter", Jeffrey Kluger, Time Magazine, January 17, 2005

"Learning the Yoga Way of Laughter", Alex Perry, Time Magazine, January 17, 2005

 

Decatur Healing Arts · 109A New Street · Decatur, GA 30030 · 404-378-6288 ·  Fax 866-861-3894

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