Name: |
Dr. Madan Kataria, founder |
Birth, Age, Death: |
Started around mid-1990s |
Nationality: |
Started in India, now worldwide |
Method/Religion started: |
Laughter Yoga |
Holy book/teachings: |
None, founder has a recent book “Laugh For No Reason “ |
Followers: |
10,000’s |
Lifestyle requirements: |
None, except try to be happy at all times |
Form of practice: |
Unconditional laughter with yogic breathing (PRANAYAMA) |
Wiki (encyclopedia) link: |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laughter_Yoga |
Laughter Yoga
Suitable for the old, young, male, female, religions, atheist and pretty much everyone, this method does not on humour, jokes or comedy. It does not matter what state of happiness or mind the follower is in, as the laughter will take them out of the doldrums into a euphoric state of a sort of bliss. Laughing starts with a physical exercise (like gentle warm-up techniques which include stretching, chanting, clapping and body movement) with all group members looking at each other. Breathing exercises are also used to prepare the lungs for laughter. Suddenly one or more members will start to giggle than laugh out loud. Soon the pretend becomes real and contagious. Within no time, everyone is laughing and enjoying in the release of stress and built up emotion.
The session ends with “Laughter Meditation (unstructured laughter)” where participants sit or lie down and allow natural laughter to flow from within their beings like a fountain; it’s a powerful experience that can lead to healthy emotional catharsis and a feeling of release/joyousness that can last for many days.
Here is a video with John Cleese in India explaining Laughter Yoga – LOL