Joyous Movement

A Laughter Yoga University? – Funny name for a university or a yoga class, but there it is. The university was created by Dr. Madan Kataria, a medical doctor from India. Laughter Yoga is a combination of deep breathing exercises from yoga and laughter exercises, which oxygenates the body and the brain. It’s basically an exercise routine with laughing.

How Laughter and Breathing Work – Taking deep breaths for laughing and exercising, oxygenates the body and the brain, and makes you feel healthier and energetic. It’s a physical action that repeatedly forcefully exhales breath from the lungs. Muscles work harder. It can be any type of exercise, from biking to dancing, walking or working out. It’s interesting to know that your body cannot tell the difference between a real laugh and a fake laugh.

Laugh and the World Laughs With You – Any kind of laugh, made-up animal laughs, a quick short “ha”, which people will imitate or respond to with “ha ha” and so on. Share goofy sayings, like a kid. Laugh to a favorite song - just sing “ha” in time with each word. For instance, the chorus to “Sweet Caroline” would start “ha ha-ha-ha.”

Be Joyful – We all want to be happy, healthy and wise, but there are many days when we are more stressed, miserable and worried. You need a good laugh. Ask friends to join you in a park for a workout that includes seeing who can make who laugh the most. People are doing that all around the country. You can be silly like a kid - stick out your tongue - or make really funny faces. And laugh while you exercise.

“Breath is Spirit. The act of breathing is Living.” ~ Author Unknown