Ten years ago, Dr. Madan Kataria burst out laughing for no reason at all. Since then he's helped form over 3000 "laughter clubs" throughout India, toward the goal of creating a million such clubs around the world. "When you laugh, you change," explains Kataria, whose fans include actors Goldie Hawn and John Cleese. "And when you change, the whole world changes around you."
The unique concept of Laughter Yoga and Laughter Club is the brain child of Dr. Madan Kataria, a physician from Mumbai, India. It is now a worldwide movement with over 5000 clubs globally. Laughter Yoga allows anyone to laugh in a group for 15-20 minutes without depending upon a sense of humor, jokes, or feeling happy. Laughter Yoga combines simple laughter exercises, clapping, and gentle yoga breathing, which turns into real laughter when practiced in a group. Everyone knows that it feels good to laugh! That’s because when we laugh, our bodies release an “inner pharmacy” of hormones and chemicals that have healthful and positive effects on our bodies, minds, and spirit. Research shows that when we laugh, there is an actual chemical change in our bodies that helps to ease pain and relieve physical, mental and emotional stress.
Laughter improves cardiovascular health, lifts depression and strengthens the immune system. It also improves communication skills, creativity, self-esteem and personal relationships. Laughter Yoga has helped many overcome severe shyness. A recent study at Stanford University concluded that laughter stimulates the parts of our brain that use the “feel good” chemical dopamine. And guess what? Vigorous laughter, involving whole body movements, can burn calories!
Norman Cousins, celebrated author of Anatomy of an Illness, described the benefits of laughter in his recovery from a potentially fatal and very painful disease. He found, for example, that 10 minutes of hearty laughter gave him 2 hours of pain-free sleep. Anatomy of an Illness was the first book by a patient that spoke to our current interest in taking charge of our own health. It started the revolution in patients working with their doctors and using humor to boost their bodies' capacity for healing. When Norman Cousins was diagnosed with a crippling and irreversible disease, he forged an unusual collaboration with his physician, and together they were able to beat the odds. The doctor's genius was in helping his patient to use his own powers: laughter, courage, and tenacity. The patient's talent was in mobilizing his body's own natural resources, proving what an effective healing tool the mind can be.
“I have learned never to underestimate the capacity of the human mind and body to regenerate -- even when prospects seem most wretched. The life force may be the least understood force on earth." Norman Cousins (in his; Anatomy of an Illness)”
Rather than curse the darkness, light a candle or at least help others to light a candle. Don't snuff out these efforts however little or insignificant they may seem to you but each of these can casts a ripple of hope that can in time become a beacon of hope for the country.
believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death.
The unique concept of Laughter Yoga and Laughter Club is the brain child of Dr. Madan Kataria, a physician from Mumbai, India. It is now a worldwide movement with over 5000 clubs globally. Laughter Yoga allows anyone to laugh in a group for 15-20 minutes without depending upon a sense of humor, jokes, or feeling happy. Laughter Yoga combines simple laughter exercises, clapping, and gentle yoga breathing, which turns into real laughter when practiced in a group. Everyone knows that it feels good to laugh! That’s because when we laugh, our bodies release an “inner pharmacy” of hormones and chemicals that have healthful and positive effects on our bodies, minds, and spirit. Research shows that when we laugh, there is an actual chemical change in our bodies that helps to ease pain and relieve physical, mental and emotional stress.
Laughter improves cardiovascular health, lifts depression and strengthens the immune system. It also improves communication skills, creativity, self-esteem and personal relationships. Laughter Yoga has helped many overcome severe shyness. A recent study at Stanford University concluded that laughter stimulates the parts of our brain that use the “feel good” chemical dopamine. And guess what? Vigorous laughter, involving whole body movements, can burn calories!
Norman Cousins, celebrated author of Anatomy of an Illness, described the benefits of laughter in his recovery from a potentially fatal and very painful disease. He found, for example, that 10 minutes of hearty laughter gave him 2 hours of pain-free sleep. Anatomy of an Illness was the first book by a patient that spoke to our current interest in taking charge of our own health. It started the revolution in patients working with their doctors and using humor to boost their bodies' capacity for healing. When Norman Cousins was diagnosed with a crippling and irreversible disease, he forged an unusual collaboration with his physician, and together they were able to beat the odds. The doctor's genius was in helping his patient to use his own powers: laughter, courage, and tenacity. The patient's talent was in mobilizing his body's own natural resources, proving what an effective healing tool the mind can be.
“I have learned never to underestimate the capacity of the human mind and body to regenerate -- even when prospects seem most wretched. The life force may be the least understood force on earth." Norman Cousins (in his; Anatomy of an Illness)”
Rather than curse the darkness, light a candle or at least help others to light a candle. Don't snuff out these efforts however little or insignificant they may seem to you but each of these can casts a ripple of hope that can in time become a beacon of hope for the country.
believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death.
--Robert Fulghum
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