History of Laughter Yoga

What is Laughter Yoga?   A concept first created in 1995 by Madan Kataria, a physician from India, Laughter Yoga has been gaining in popularity in recent years. According to a recent New Yorker article, estimates of the number of people who regularly engage in Laughter Yoga are as high as 250,000, but it is nearly impossible to obtain precise figures. Dr. Kataria estimates that there are 6,000 Laughter Clubs in India alone.   Laughter Yoga is not a physical practice in the way that most people think of yoga in the Western world. There is no stretching or physical exertion involved. However, it can deliver profound physical and psychological results, including reduced stress and relief from chronic pain and conditions such as arthritis, asthma, and allergies.   How does it work?   Laughter Yoga combines simulated laughter with yogic breathing exercises to create a “wellbeing workout” that taps into the healing power of laughter. Laughter Yoga classes use exercises such as mantras and games that are designed to foster a sense of childlike play and create a cheerful, non-judgmental atmosphere.   History of Laughter Yoga   Dr. Kataria was writing an article on the healing power of laughter when he decided to explore the benefits of laughter in his own life and the life of his friends. He gathered his wife and three friends to meet together in a park and tell jokes or funny stories. The group gathered the attention of passersby and quickly grew to more than 50 members. But after two weeks, people ran out of jokes, or began telling jokes that others found offensive.   Determined to see the Laughter Club succeed, Dr. Kataria began looking for a solution to this challenge. In reviewing his research, he discovered that the human body cannot distinguish between genuine laughter and simulated laughter: both will deliver the same physical and psychological benefits. Armed with this revelation, Dr. Kataria developed a series of exercises to promote simulated laughter. In testing this methods on his Laughter Club, he found that the pretend laughter was contagious and soon sparked genuine laughter throughout the group.   Laughter and Yoga   As Dr. Kataria continued to develop the exercises used by his Laughter Club, he and his wife, both yoga practitioners, noticed the similarities between his techniques and the Pranayama breathing exercises used in yoga. Laughter also encourages greater exhalation than inhalation, a principle of many yogic breathing exercises. Dr. Kataria began  incorporating yogic breathing into his Laughter practice to further enhance the benefits of his exercises. Today, Laughter Yoga classes include breathing exercises in between laughter exercises.   Dr. Kataria stresses that laughter is a choice, one that can cure nearly any ailment, be it physical, psychological, or spiritual. He states that people can benefit every area of their lives by choosing to laugh more, and the popularity of Laughter Yoga worldwide demonstrates that a shared sense of humor is not necessary to enjoy the benefits of laughter with others. Next week, learn more about the benefits and many applications of this growing international movement.