Benefits of Laughter Yoga

“For the most part, when you go and get medical treatment, a clinician is not necessarily going to tell you to take two aspirins and watch Laurel and Hardy, but the reality is that’s where we are and it’s more real than ever. There’s a real science to this. And it’s as real as taking a drug.” 

-Dr Lee Berk, Professor Of Medicine, Loma Linda University

The secret of laughter yoga is that our bodies are hardwired with some surprisingly powerful natural reactions to extended hearty laughter.  Some of these side effects include:

"FOR THE MOST PART, WHEN YOU GO AND GET MEDICAL TREATMENT, A CLINICIAN IS NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO TELL YOU TO TAKE TWO ASPIRINS AND WATCH LAUREL AND HARDY, BUT THE REALITY IS THAT'S WHERE WE ARE AND IT'S MORE REAL THAN EVER. THERE'S A REAL SCIENCE TO THIS. AND IT'S AS REAL AS TAKING A DRUG."

• Feel-good hormones. Laughing leads to the release of endorphins, a self-manufactured natural opiate that has been scientifically shown to carry messages of attachment and bonding (the scientific terms for love), and to stimulate feelings of caring and forgiveness in addition to acting as a natural painkiller. Endorphins create a positive state of mind and boost optimism, self-confidence and feelings of self-worth.
• Blood & all major organs are fully oxygenated leaving us bursting with energy. Lloyd (Journal of General Psychology, 1983) showed that laughter is a combination of deep inhalation and full exhalation, inspiring excellent ventilation, wonderful rest and profound release. Increased circulation helps flush the organs of waste products, helping us to operate at peak performance.
• Our lymphatic system is massaged and our immune systems boosted. Laughter causes an “internal jogging” that massages the internal organs and promotes circulation to the digestive and lymphatic systems.
• Strengthens the immune system. Laughter deepens the breath, which is shown to increase lymphatic flow, which in turn is already thoroughly documented and proven to boost the immune system with fast increases in levels of anti-viral and anti-infection cells (including the so-called “natural-killer” cells which help fight cancer). Laughter also increases the levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), the first line of defense protecting us against viral infections such as coughs and colds. Immune, digestive & sexual systems that are switched off by stress are switched on
• Promotes cardio-vascular health. Blood pressure drops and pulse rate drops after you have laughed.
• Depression is lifted, even chronic depression is often cured (watch the video testimonial for Laughter Yoga of a leading American Psychiatrist).
• Anti-aging formula. Many older Laughter Yoga practitioners claim that the facial exercise of laughter reduces wrinkles and sagging by firming and toning facial muscles, making them look (and if anything else “feel”) younger. Overall exercise is known to slow down the aging process and Laughter Yoga is a fun and easy exercise for all age groups.
• Catharsis. By enhancing the free flow of emotions, laughter can help dislodge blocked emotions stored in the body. Suppressed or blocked emotions can cause ongoing physical, mental and emotional problems. Their release can be life-changing. Laughter provides an excellent non-violent method for emotional release and catharsis (word of cautions: laughter therapy to release emotional trauma truly really works. We strongly advise you to contact a trained laughter therapist if you need professional help. Note that aren’t many around at this point in time).

After just one laughter yoga session many people feel the difference. After some Laughter Yoga meditation sessions people describe surging feelings of joy and happiness.

With regular sessions peoples entire mental and physical state changes for the better. Laughter accelerates healing and many small health problems disappear. The frequency of colds reduces. You feel happy, healthy and well. No other fitness training regime or style of yoga has these benefits.

A recent study at Stanford University concludes that laughter stimulates the parts of our brain that use the feel good chemical messenger dopamine. This puts laughter into the necessary category of activities that are pleasurably addictive, and more so in the myriads of health benefits that accrue.

Laughter releases endorphins, giving us the ‘feel good factor’
Acts as aerobic exercise and is like ‘internal jogging’
Unleashes inhibitions, breaks down barriers
Great team building tool encourages better communication
Helps boost our immune system which helps us resist disease
Tones muscles, improves respiration and circulation
Encourages positive thinking and creativity
Relaxes the whole body by reducing stress and tension

Don’t take our words for truth (you should not believe everything you read online). We have an entire section of this website dedicated to academic research on Laughter and Laughter Yoga. 

-From the American School of Laughter Yoga