5 Simple Laughter Yoga Exercises You Can Try at Home
Laughter yoga is a hugely powerful wellness tool; it really is the best medicine. And it serves as a reminder that when engaging in child-like play, life really does feel better.
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It’s often said that children are our greatest teachers and no truer word could be said when it comes to the ease with which they express joy. The way they playfully move their bodies, their unfiltered self expression and the seemingly effortless, often endless ripples of laughter that just cascade out of them. On average children laugh 300-400 times a day whereas in adulthood due to increased responsibilities and societal expectations of having to take life more seriously it just plummets with the average adult laughing about 17 times a day. There’s no denying that the laughter deficit is huge but the good news is there’s a powerful yoga practice that can change this.
Laughter yoga started in 1995 in a park in Mumbai when a medical doctor, Dr Madan Kataria, noticed how beneficial laughter was for improving mental and physical health. Since then it has grown enormously with thousands of laughter clubs in over 100 countries. It is a totally unique concept because it doesn’t rely on humour, jokes or comedy; all you need is a willingness to laugh. Laughter yoga combines playful laughter exercises with yogic breathing techniques; when practising you are aiming for deep, hearty and loud extended laughter deep in the belly using the diaphragm in order to get the full physical and psychological benefits. A typical session consists of laughter exercises interspersed with yogic breathing and culminates in laughter meditation and guided meditation for grounding.
So why practice laughter yoga?
It lifts your mood through the release of endorphins and it lowers the stress hormone cortisol; it also increases the supply of oxygen to your body and brain making you feel more alert, creative, energised and productive. It’s a fantastic connector, making it great for team bonding and developing relationships; it also helps you build resilience. When practised regularly it reduces blood pressure and heart rate and also strengthens your immune system.
Try These Exercises At Home
All exercises are totally adaptable and can be done seated, standing up or moving around. There is no need for specialist equipment, all you need is your curiosity and a willingness to laugh. After each exercise take a moment for some deep, nourishing breaths to help you feel grounded and centred.
Laughter breaths
How To Do It: Take a deep breath in through the nose and on the exhale release deep and hearty belly laughter. You may want to place your hand on your heart to aid self regulation.
When To Do It: A perfect pause point at any time of the day for welcoming in calm, ease and balance.
Mental floss
How To Do It: This is much like dental floss, but it’s for your brain! Take a big bit of floss in each hand, holding it at either side of each ear. Then pulling the floss from side to side, add deep, hearty laughter and set the intention that you are flossing away anything that isn’t supporting you.
When To Do It: Any time overwhelm, anxiety or stress kick in, flossing out the unhelpful thoughts is a great circuit breaker.
Stretch laughter
How To Do It: As you wake up and stretch out your arms and legs release big belly laughs. And of course feel free to add in any stretches you already do!
When To Do It: Start the day strong, using stretch laughter to let go of any heaviness you may have woken up with so you can bring the energy you desire to your day.
Hi 5 Laughter
How To Do It: Standing in front of a mirror give yourself a celebratory hi 5 whilst letting out deep hearty laughter. Also a great one to practise with your loved ones.
When To Do It: After you’ve brushed your teeth giving yourself a hi 5 whilst laughing is a great way to celebrate yourself and everything you plan to achieve or have got done.
Laughter Hug
How To Do It: Start by gently giving yourself a squeeze to drop in and connect. Then add in some big hearty laughter as you continue giving yourself a hug. This is also a beautiful exercise to share with others.
When To Do It: If you’re having a tough day and you’re caught up in ‘not enough’ feelings, a laughter hug gives you a beautiful dose of self love.
To heighten any of the exercises you can always add in some laughter claps: clap your hands together twice and then throw your hands in the air chanting ‘Very good very good YAY.’ In less than 5 minutes you’ll find your energy has shifted and you’ll be feeling more energised and ready to face the day.
Laughter yoga is a hugely powerful wellness tool; it really is the best medicine. And it serves as a reminder that when engaging in child-like play, life really does feel better. Through a few simple exercises you have the power to change the trajectory of your day and send ripples of joy to those around you.
