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“The entire world is an extended family; let
us join through love and laughter”
Dr. Madan Kataria
Dr. Kataria, Founder of the World Laughter
Yoga movement practices what he preaches. He
travels the world educating people on the
physical, mental, emotional and spiritual
benefits of Laughter Yoga.
When you attend your first Laughter Yoga
session you will be greeted by the Laughter
Yoga Leader or sometimes referred to as the
“Club Anchor”. Attendees are encouraged to
leave their worries, both physical and
emotional at the door and try to connect
with their child-like playful sprit. This
individual will ask all members to stand in
a circle or semi-circle. He or she will then
give commands to initiate different types of
laughter and exercises, while maintaining
eye contact and moving closer to interact
with each other. This is done to create a
sense of closeness or intimacy among the
group members.
Laughter Yoga has two components: 1)
Laughter Yoga Exercises and 2) Laughter
Meditation and there are some important
guidelines one should follow to optimize the
Laughter Yoga experience. They are:
All participants should start laughing at
the same time, when the anchorperson gives
the command 1, 2… start because, when a
group laughs at the same time, the effect is
good.
Do not apply too much force while laughing.
It should be more of a feeling and enjoying
of the process.
The duration of Laughter Yoga Exercises is
usually 20-30 minutes, that includes
laughter, breathing and stretching
exercises.
The Laughter Exercises are suggested
guidelines to get started, and it is nit
mandatory to follow the same sequence of
Laughter Exercises every time. A group can
develop their own unique Laughter Exercise
to make the session more interesting and
playful.
Ideally, a group of 15-20 persons makes a
good dynamic for an infectious Laughter
Session. More people always help to create a
better impact, but even 5-10 people can have
a good Laughter Session, if they are
committees.
Each Laughter Exercise lasts for 30-45
seconds, or a maximum of one minute. After
each bout of Laughter or sometimes after two
bouts, two deep breaths are taken, in order
to provide a break. This avoids exertion and
tiredness. Sometimes, various neck, shoulder
and arm stretching exercise are done in
place of deep breathing, between Laughter
Exercises.
A typical Laughter Session is a perfect
blend of various laughter techniques,
interspersed with breathing, stretching,
rhythmic clapping and chanting
HO HO HA HA HA, in unison.
The Laughter Yoga session starts to wind
down with Laughter Meditation. After the
Laughter Yoga exercises, we make an effort
to laugh in a group, which soon becomes
infectious. In Laughter Meditation one
doesn’t have to make an effort to laugh, but
laughter flows out like a fountain without
any reason, much more spontaneous and
deeper. The session then is complete; we end
with some deep breathing and relaxation
exercises.
If you would like to experience the benefits
of free flowing laughter, contact Doug
Dvorak, Certified Laughter Yoga Leader and
Founder of the Chicago Live Life Laughing
Club! |
