I love laughing yoga. I became a certified teacher last April when I took a class from Sebastian Gendry. Laughing Yoga was started in 1995 by Dr. Madan Kataria, who is from India. He had done a research article on the benefits of laughter. He learned that laughter improves your immunity, decreases stress and tension and elevates mood. It also improves oxygen in your body by encouraging deep breathing and brings more oxygen to all you cells. Researchers are now focusing on measuring the real benefits of laughter. But whatever the scientific data reveals, I know that I feel wonderful after laughing.

Laughing yoga can be done by most people. It is simply fake laughing, breathing, and clapping. When you laugh it is not possible to think of the things you have to do or things that are worrying you or upsetting you or thinking about all that you have to get done. Most classes last about 45 minutes to one hour. At the end we take a few minutes to meditate. When class is over I feel calm, happy and energized.

In my training class I met a woman who had a frozen esophagus… in other words she was no longer able to swallow food. Her doctors had no treatment for her other than feeding her liquids through a tube. She began going to laughing yoga five days per week. After 6 months, she was able to eat again. She is healed. Was it the laughing? We may never know. But what a fun way to focus on feeling better.

In India many laughing yoga groups meet daily in the park. Laughing every day is good for the disposition. I suggest starting the day by laughing at yourself in the mirror, laughing by yourself in the car, and laughing during the day with others especially if you are feeling stressed. Lighten up! You will rub off on the humor impaired people in your life.

May your day be filled with jokes.

If you would like to try a class with me, I teach at:
OPTIONS 4 HEALTH
Marengo, Illinois
815-568-1444

We will also come to your work place or group.

Don’t worry, be happy

Here is one of my favorite laughing yogavideos on you tube: