Did you know that a good belly laugh increases the ability of your immune system to fight infection? Laughing is so powerful and so good for you. I have also been told that one minute of anger can weaken your immune system for 4-5 hours yet one minute of laughter can strengthen your immune system for 24 hours. Let’s face it who doesn’t enjoy a fabulous belly laugh?
I first attended a Corporate Laughter session about 4 years ago and immediately fell in love with it. I felt amazing after the session. I was so inspired that I booked myself a flight and went off to Bangalore to the Laughter University to learn all about Laughter Yoga. I trained with Dr Madan Kataria the Founder of Laughter Yoga. The first few days the training was all about learning to be a Laughter Yoga Facilitator and the rest of the time was training to train Laughter Yoga Facilitators. It was an amazing experience and I returned to Australia a very happy person with a certain lightness and enormous gratitude for what I had learnt.
The great thing about Laughter Yoga is that it is a wonderful thing for people of all ages. Anyone can do it! I teach Corporate Mindfulness Meditation Programs and I am often asked about other team building programs and I always suggest Laughter Yoga. It is a fantastic team bonding exercise.
What is Laughter Yoga?
Laughter Yoga is a unique concept where anyone can laugh for no reason without relying on humour jokes or comedy. We initiate laughter as an exercise in a group but with eye contact and childlike playfulness, it soon turns into real and contagious laughter.
The reason we call it Laughter Yoga is because it combines laughter with yogic breathing exercises. This brings about more oxygen to the body and the brain which makes one feel more energetic and healthier.
The concept of Laugher Yoga is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter if done with willingness. One gets the same physiological and psychological benefits.
Today there are thousands of Laughter Clubs in more the 106 countries. In addition to social Laughter Clubs, Laughter Yoga is practiced in corporations, fitness centres, yoga studios, centres for seniors, schools, colleges, universities and, self-help cancer groups.
What are the benefits of Laughter Yoga?
Laughter Yoga can change your mood within minutes by releasing endorphins from your brain . This makes you feel good and if you are in a good mood you do everything well.
Laughter Yoga reduces stress and strengthens the immune system. If your immune system is strong you will not fall sick easily and if you have chronic health conditions, it will help to heal faster.
Our brain needs 25% oxygen for optimal functioning. Laughter exercises can increase net supply of oxygen to our body and brain which helps to improve efficiency and performance. You will feel energetic and can work more than your normally do and focus without getting tired.
The quality of our life depends upon quality of our friends and our relationships. Laughter is a great connector of people and brings people together improving relationships.
Anyone can laugh when times are good, but Laughter Yoga teaches people to laugh unconditionally so that they can laugh even when times are hard. It provides strength in adversity, a coping mechanism to help people keep a positive mental attitude regardless of circumstances.
Scientifically proven benefits of Laughter Yoga
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. Clinical research conducted at Bangalore, India and in the United States has proved that Laughter lowers the level of stress hormones (epinephrine, cortisol, etc.) in the blood.
If you would like to book a Laughter Yoga session for your next team building event get in touch here :info@mindfbodyenergy.com.au