La-HAHAHA-ghter Yoga

“Laughter in laughter clubs is the purest laughter because it is not for any reason. It is not directed at others but we learn to laugh at ourselves.”

-Madan Kataria, founder of Hasya (Laughter) Yoga

According to Madan Kataria, an India-based physician, author of Laugh for No Reason, founder and president of Laughter Clubs International, laughter may indeed be the best of all medicines. Kataria has developed a form of laughter therapy called Hasya Yoga (hasya meaning laughter in Sanskrit) that combines deep, controlled breathing and stretches, with various types of forced laughter.

Hasya yoga starts off with breathing exercises, followed by a structured chanting of “ho ho ho” and “ha ha ha”! This requires a rhythmic muscular movement of the abdomen similar to the kapalabhati, or breath of fire, a breathing technique in which the practitioner rapidly inhales and exhales to clear the respiratory passages.

“Life can be a challenge but Laughter can make it easy to reduce our daily stresses”. Laughter can help individuals lose their inhibitions which hold them back, and gain self-confidence to move forwards. Kataria explains that by embracing the spirit of laughter, it’s possible to achieve a more positive outlook on life, as well as improved lung capacity and abdominal tone.

Kataria likens the use of abdominal muscles during the practice of Hasya laughter to exercises which tone the digestive system. Strong abdominal muscles contribute to a healthy digestive system. He further maintains that laughter yoga raises both pulse rate and blood pressure, stimulating and toning the circulatory system, whilst simultaneously strengthening the respiratory system by engaging the entire capacity of the lungs.

Prana—or life force—he explains, gains entry to our bodies via breathing, so clear respiratory passages and strong lungs are essential to the well-being of both body and spirit.

So watch a comedy, tell a joke, or just take a deep full belly of breath, and “laugh for no reason”!