Laughter Yoga
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Laughter Yoga (Hasya Yoga) is an exercise routine developed by Indian physician Madan Kataria. According to this concept anyone can laugh for no reason, without relying on humor, jokes or comedy.
Laughter is simulated as an exercise in a group but with eye contact and playfulness, developing into real and contagious laughter. It is meant to be a combination of laughing and yoga breathing, in order to bring more oxygen to the body and the brain. Laughter yoga is based on the assumption that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter, and that their physiological and psychological benefits are thus identical.
The first Laughter Yoga Clubs was started on 13th March, 1995 by Kataria in Mumbai, India. It began with just 5 people in a local public park, but soon the concept rapidly spread worldwide and as of 2009 there are more than 6000 laughter clubs in 60 countries. In addition, Laughter Yoga is also practiced in companies and corporations, cruise ships, Fitness centers, Yoga studios, leper colonies, Centers for Seniors, Schools, Colleges, prisons, Universities, Physically and mentally challenged and Self help cancer groups.
