Laughter has been known to be the best medicine for the body, mind, and soul. As a form of exercise, Laugh Yoga or Laughter Yoga, as it is also called, has become increasingly popular and is now practiced all over the world. This type of yoga involves laughing for an extended period without any reason except for the purpose of laughing.
It is an excellent way to release stress and tension in the body, making it perfect for busy people who need a quick stress reliever. In this blog post, we will explore the basics of laugh yoga and give you a step-by-step guide on how to get started.
Step 1: Find a Laughter Yoga Group or Start Your Own
To get started with Laugh Yoga, you can either join an existing Laughter Yoga group or gather some friends and start your very own. There are a lot of communities dedicated to laughter Yoga. And you can find them through social media or any yoga network.
If you can not find one in your location, try starting one yourself. A few like-minded individuals can gather in a park, community center, or any open space. All you need is a willingness to laugh.
Step 2: Relax Your Body
To begin with Laugh Yoga, you need to relax your body and mind. Sit down or stand up, take a deep breath, and consciously release all tension in your body by shaking your hands and arms out, then loosening your shoulders and neck - and get ready to just laugh naturally without any cause.
Step 3: Start Laughing
When starting laugh yoga, there is no need to force laughter. Instead, begin by simply giggling to yourself. Then, after a few minutes, let that giggle turn into full-blown laughter. You can add in imaginary laughs or even practice laughing silently.
However, what is important is to keep your movements loose. And allow yourself to fully surrender to the laughter.
Step 4: Keep the Laughs Going
Once you start laughing, maintain the laughs continuously. But do not overdo it. You can pause in between laughs and let your breathing pattern return to normal before you start again. Do not forget to take deep breaths. And allow yourself to surrender to the experience.
Step 5: End With Relaxation
After the session is over, let yourself relax and experience the after-effects of your laughter session. Sit or lie down, breathe deeply, and allow yourself to bathe in the endorphins and oxytocin released through Laughter Yoga.
Parting Thoughts
Laughter is a great medicine that should be part of everyone's daily routine. And Laugh Yoga is an excellent way to incorporate it into your life. It can be practiced virtually anywhere, and the benefits are almost instant.
Similarly, it can reduce stress, boost your immune system, and make you feel better. Laugh yoga sessions can last anywhere between 10 to 60 minutes. So, next time you are feeling down, take a break and try Laugh Yoga.