Let’s face it: life is stressful. We usually know how to cope (exercising, taking a social media break, etc.) but it’s easy to fall into a rut and let our stress consume us. The next time you’re stressed out and need a release, try taking a different approach. When was the last time you scheduled a laugh? The concept may seem bizarre, but “laughter yoga” is a way to simultaneously bring joy and relaxation into your life. Developed by a medical doctor in India, laughter yoga has now spread across one hundred countries.
How to do Laughter Yoga
- Think of something that makes you smile
- Clap your hands in front of the heart chakra
- Focus on your stomach and laugh with a “ho, ho” sound
- Focus on your chest and laugh with a “ha, ha” sound
- Lay your hands on your head and laugh with a “he, he” sound
- Do the “laughing wave” by facing your hands and body to the ground, then send your hands and arms upward toward the sky and laugh with a “ha, ha, ha” sound
- Repeat step 6 several times
- At the end of your session, sing the mantra “Om” for one minute or until you are calm
Benefits of Laughter Yoga
- Decreased blood pressure
- Decreased stress levels (cortisol)
- Increased positive thoughts
- Increased positive attitude during challenging times
- Increased energy
- Improved quality of life
- Improved relationships with others
- Better mood, more laughter
So, next time you’re feeling the weight of the world, give laughter yoga a try.