What do you do in Laughter Yoga? You "Laugh" From giggles to guffaws & chuckles to cackles  |
Typical Scenario of a Laughter Yoga Session
Laughter yoga combines deep controlled breathing and stretches with several types of laughter such as greeting laughter, hearty laughter, open-mouthed silent laughter, humming laughter, lion laughter and/or swinging laughter, with arm movement. Each laughter is held for up to 30-45 seconds. Most Laughter Yoga sessions lasts for 20 to 30 minutes.
Clubs and classes usually, depending on the leader, start with some type of greeting laughter exercise then moves into varying random laughing exercises chosen by the leader such as lion laughter, hot soup laughter, milkshake laughter done in succession with a transitioning exercise such as clapping and saying "very good, very good yeah" then raising your hands above your head and laughing done in between. Themed excercises are a little longer such as orchestra or airline and flight laughter. Some exercises are done on the floor, in sitting position or as in bullseye laughter lying down on the floor with heads together in a circle while laughing.
Meditation laughter often follows a session of laughter where it gives one time to relax and reflect on whatever one choses to reflect upon. The leader will have you lie on the floor and usually walk you through a series of suggestions and relaxation exercises then gives the participants time to relax.
Anyone can do laughter yoga at any physical ability level. A leader can adjust to the groups abilities and make a laughter yoga session fun for everyone from the general population to senior, children, and the disabled.
Laughter Yoga doesn't include a typical "yoga" workout, bit it can be a good way to lighten your emotional stress in a truly over-stressed world.
Outline for LY class led by Julie
Intro Explanation of: Laugh for no Reason, Dr Kataria, 1995, India, 70 counties, Yoga laughter & laughter exercises
4 Steps Expanation of: 1. Breathing 2. Clapping 3. Childlike playfulness 4. Laughter exercises
Laughter Exercises
1. Just laugh lying on the floor in a sun circle
2. Shy laughter
3. Handshake laughter
4. Electric shock laughter
5. Gradient with laughter/w/o noise
6. Hot soup laughter
7. Milkshake laughter
8. Cell phone laughter
Closing
1. Sit in circle do silent laughter
2. Music
3. Mantra
4. Thank them for coming to class
5. Stand and do very good very good yeah twice
Extra exercises
1. Lion laughter
2. Laugh at yourself
3. Motorbike laughter
Three Types of Laughter often practiced in Laughter Yoga
Pigeon Laughter
Pigeon Laughter is often practiced in laughter yoga. You laugh without opening your mouth, keeping your lips sealed as the laughter produces a humming sound, like the noises pigeons or bees make.
Belly Laughter
Belly Laughter is considered the most real type of laughter. It may also be the hardest type to experience. It is a form of laughter coming from your center belly area that maked your belly rise and fall as your laugh. Belly laughter can be he very healthful and can help fight an illness, has an anesthetic effect, is a good physical exercise and just makes us happier.
Silent Laughter
Silent laughter is making all the motions of laughter silently. By practicing silent laughter we gain real benefits because it involves the same type of deep breathing that comes with belly laughter.
