Laughter Yoga

HasyaYoga or Laughter Yoga as it is called in English is a practice that one does to bring a sense of happiness and joy in their lives. The activity of prolonged voluntary laughter is carried out by the practitioners. When voluntary laughter is carried out, it soon turns to real and contagious laughter leading to the same physiological and psychological benefits for the mind, body and soul. This practice is usually carried out in groups thereby creating a bonding with like-minded individuals which helps in the recovery of all the participants. The activity also includes jokes, humour playfulness, eye-contact and a general healthy camaraderie amongst all the people which leads to a similar environment being established outside the group also for the participants.

Laughter yoga begins with gentle exercises such as stretching, clapping and other aerobic exercises. These increase the flow of blood in the body thereby bringing about a sense of playfulness in the person and improving the overall mood. This is followed by a series of laughter exercises that employ acting and visualization techniques which ensures an environment of complete happiness. Practitioners may practice this form of yoga for as much time as they like but generally 20 minutes of laughter yoga is sufficient to develop fully psychological and physiological benefits. It works on the principle that the mind does not know we are faking it therefore a general sense of goodness is soon developed in the person having life-long benefits.