Laughter yoga was developed in 1995 by Dr. Madan Kataria, an Indian medical doctor, with just five members.  Today there are over 6000 Laughter Yoga clubs in 60 countries.  Laughter Yoga is based on the scientific fact that even if you laugh as an exercise your body can't tell the difference and you get the same physiological and psychological benefits, such as increasing the oxygen supply to the body and brain.  The exercises combine unconditional laughter with yogic breathing.  Laughter is initially simulated while maintaining eye contact with others in the group and promoting childlike playfulness.  In most cases this soon leads to real and contagious laughter, and it's all joke free!

As a certified laughter yoga leader, I lead laughter yoga sessions in my workplace, and I'm also developing a community practice.  As a poet, I'm excited about laughter yoga's ability to enhance my powers of creativity.  Ha, ha, ho, ho ho!

For more information about Laughter Yoga, visit www.laughteryoga.ca and www.laughteryoga-canada.org



Life should be lived as play.  Plato