Fun and Laughter

Fun and laughter are big business

The benefits of laughter, lots of fun and laughter, laughter and how it affects your health, and laughter therapy research are the subjects for serious discussion and study. But let?s not get too serious here. This is about fun. Laughter therapy research says - Laughter is the Best Medicine. Laughter therapy is being brought into the corporate world with many businesses hiring a qualified laughter coach to work with their staff. But for you - laughter sessions are great.

“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people”
Victor Borges.

Laughter Exercises for Healing

Mental benefits. Physical benefits. Emotional benefits.
Why exactly, is laughter a therapy?
Around the world more and more scientific research shows the beneficial affects of laughter. It is found in many statistical studies laughter can:-

- reduce stress and depression
- improve respiration, oxygenation and blood circulation
- strengthen the Immune System by raising antibody levels
- provide an internal work-out - the best aerobic exercise
- relieve muscle tension and reduces nervous tension and pain
- stimulate digestion and the metabolism
- promote better sleep
- improve self confidence and self esteem
- release endorphins (the feel good hormones)
- slow the brain rhythms to alpha level
- lower Blood Pressure and cortisol levels (the stress hormone)
- enhance relationships by reconnecting people in a non-threatening, non-political, non-competitive environment
- make you more appealing, providing an instant facelift
- unite people of all ages, personality types and cultures
- improve the biophysical, biochemical and bioenergetic levels of the body
- increase natural killer cells (to attack cancers and tumors)
- beginning at the grass roots may eventually contribute to World Peace

The recommended daily dose - a minimum of 15 minutes of healthy laughter!

BBC John Cleese Laughter Yoga Video - FREE

Take a minute to look at this Youtube video. You?ll be convinced.

Dr Madan Kataria and Laughter Yoga

Dr Kataria is the founder of laughter yoga, the laughter-based exercise regime that?s sweeping the world. Since starting with the first Laughter Club of 5 people in India in 1995, laughter yoga has spread to more than 6500 clubs in more than 55 countries.

Dr. Madan and Madhuri Kataria

Laughter Yoga and Dr Madan Kataria video

How do you do Laughter Yoga?

Dr. Kataria created a series of exercises to be followed during the laughter sessions. His motto is “Fake it till you Make it”. He says that when you laugh with a group of people, pretty soon you really will be laughing. Even the fake laughter is beneficial. The body doesn?t discern between fake and real laughter.

During the laughter sessions various methods of inducing laughter are used; clapping, chanting ?ho ho ho ha ha ha?, and other laughter chants, breathing and several arm actions. You might find yourself being asked to pull funny faces at others or to move about and mingle within the group. Pretty soon you will find your energy rising, and that feeling of ?excitement? or invigoration that comes with an increase of endorphins, will spread over your body. The laughter becomes contagious and you will carry this great feeling with you into your day. As Dr Kataria says: ?While a person is laughing, they cannot at the same moment experience stress.?

Want to Join a Laughter Club?

They are all over the world, 6500 of them. There is sure to be one in your region. Check here, or Google Laughter Club (You can use the google search bar below), to find one close to you. At least give it a try - just once.

Take the FREE Quiz

How Happy Are You? Just a couple of minutes! It may tell you what you already know deep down - but take it anyway. You may be pleasantly surprised. How Happy Are You?

Additional Reading

Check out these articles:
Laughter is the best medicine
Laugh your way to happiness

"The most wasted of all days is that on which one has not laughed."
Nicholas Chaumfort

Learn about Life Happiness from Mike Dooley

"It's through the pursuit of my goals and dreams that I learn my lessons and even greater secrets about life and myself. As far as fun and meaning go in my life today, by most standards I've been doing pretty well..." - Taken from Mike Dooley's bio at www.tut.com

I believe Mike Dooley is a true master when it comes to life and happiness.