Laughter Yoga is a gentle and enjoyable low-impact combination of laughter exercises and yoga breathing. This aerobic exercise program was developed in India in 1995 by Dr Madan Kataria and has now spread all over the world. The nature of Laughter Yoga means that it is suitable for everyone – people of all ages and fitness levels.

Because Laughter Yoga sessions can be done sitting down, it’s especially suited for seniors and people with mobility, joint or weight bearing issues.

Laughter Yoga is done in groups, indoors or outdoors, and has many proven health and wellbeing benefits.

Five proven benefits of Laughter Yoga are:

• Good Mood and More Laughter: Laughter Yoga helps improve your mood by releasing endorphins and other naturally produced, powerful neuro-chemicals in your brain. After a Laughter Yoga session you will remain cheerful and in a good mood throughout the day and will also laugh more than you normally do.
• Healthy Exercise to Beat Stress: Laughter Yoga is an aerobic exercise (cardio workout) which increases oxygen throughout the body and brain, making you feel more relaxed and calm.
• Health Benefits: Laughter Yoga reduces stress and strengthens the immune system. You will not fall sick easily and you will heal faster.
• Quality of Life: Laughter creates a positive energy which helps people to connect with others quickly and improves relationships. When you laugh more, you attract others. Friendships form and your personal and social life improves.

• Positive Attitude in Challenging Times:Everyone can laugh when life is good, but how can you laugh when faced with challenges? Intentional and sustained laughter helps to create a positive mental state to deal with negative situations and negative people. It gives hope and optimism to cope with difficult times.    

Taking part in Laughter Yoga sessions also helps overcome feelings of social isolation and loneliness as you will easily connect with others through the shared activities and fun and laughter.

Read: Health Benefits of Laughter Yoga -Laughter Yoga International

Ideally, Laughter Yoga should be practised every day. It is easy to use some Laughter Yoga strategies such as two-minute laughter – this can be done at home, in the car or out in the garden by yourself or with others.

Laughing intentionally for two minutes, rather than waiting for something funny to happen – when you might only laugh for three or four seconds – will result in positive benefits such as improved mood, increased relaxation and decreased stress.

Many people in India attend Laughter Yoga group sessions every day. However, the benefits of weekly Laughter Yoga sessions have been found to last up to 14 days.

Many Zoom Laughter Yoga sessions can be found online. Laughter Education Australia will soon introduce a weekly online Laughter Yoga session as well as the regular Sunday morning sessions in Jubilee Park, Beaudesert.

Ideally, Laughter Yoga should be practised every day. It is easy to use some Laughter Yoga strategies such as two-minute laughter – this can be done at home, in the car or out in the garden by yourself or with others.

Laughing intentionally for two minutes, rather than waiting for something funny to happen – when you might only laugh for three or four seconds – will result in positive benefits such as improved mood, increased relaxation and decreased stress.

Many people in India attend Laughter Yoga group sessions every day. However, the benefits of weekly Laughter Yoga sessions have been found to last up to 14 days.

Many Zoom Laughter Yoga sessions can be found online. Laughter Education Australia will soon introduce a weekly online Laughter Yoga session as well as the regular Sunday morning sessions in Jubilee Park, Beaudesert.

Generally, just a water bottle. In summer, for outdoor Laughter Yoga sessions you should always have a hat, wear sunscreen and possibly even use insect repellent. Some people do like to bring a hand towel, especially in summer.

You might like to wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing. However, if you’re taking part in a Laughter Yoga session at work, you won’t need to get changed. Active wear, lycra or gym clothing is not needed for Laughter Yoga.

Footwear is optional. Outdoors – unless the ground is very wet – I like to do Laughter Yoga barefoot. Connecting directly with the earth can be a wonderful experience for many people. Others will prefer to keep their shoes on. That’s okay. I also like to be barefoot when doing indoor Laughter Yoga sessions but that can depend on the venue and any relevant OHS requirements.