Laughter Yoga — Southern Arizona Senior Pride

Are you struggling to find ways to feel lighter and have more joy in the moment? Think about the last time you had a big belly laugh and how you felt afterwards. Laughter has a powerful and immediate effect on our mind, body, emotions, and spirit! The key is that laughter is always in the moment, like the breath, and we can learn to use it as a skill. Laughter Yoga is a program name founded in 1995 by Indian physician, Dr. Madan Kataria. He had an interesting insight while doing research about humor and laughter. Our bodies get similar benefits whether it’s a spontaneous laugh or simulated laughter. Dr. Kataria came upon the ancient practice of Hasyayoga, an ancient form of yoga and meditation using humor. He realized, like the ancient yogis who came before him, that jokes or comedy are not necessary to laugh and that we all have the innate ability to “laugh for no reason!” In this class, we don’t tell jokes or rely on humor or comedy, just classical exercises that encourage laughter, deep breathing, stretching, and clapping. The laughter exercises help facilitate a gentle deepening of mindful awareness and an easy connection with other class members. Plus laughter is very contagious! What are the benefits?