We all thrive when we practice activities that encourage self-esteem, cooperation, creative thinking, job satisfaction, and healthy relationships. As a solution to today’s energy drains, Laughter Yoga was developed by Dr. Madan Kataria, an Indian physician in Mumbai. Now Greenleaf Integrative Strategies provides Laughter Yoga workshops in the U.S.
Laughter Yoga is a mild physical technique involving a blend of playful, empowering and “tension-releasing” laughter and breathing exercises. Simple, structured and based on the philosophy of “enacting joyfulness,” these exercises can be done in any environment and in any clothes. Companies that have brought Laughter Yoga leaders to the workplace describe the impact as “revolutionary.” This is impressive given that a typical program consists of weekly sessions only lasting 20 to 30 minutes.
Laughter Yoga is a comprehensive management tool that can do the following:
1. Boosts morale and motivates groups, teams, and families
2. Reduces tension, frustration, anger, and burnout
3. Helps people build resilience in the face of change
4. Combats depression, anxiety and psychosomatic disorders
5. Strengthens the immune system
6. Stimulates creative problem solving
7. Keeps everyday hassles and problems in perspective
8. Sustains positive attitudes on the job and at home
Dr. Shah teaching at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
The following media agencies have covered Laughter Yoga
• CNN (11.26.06)
• Associated Press (11.30.06)
• Good Morning America (12.4.06)
• National Public Radio (12.8.06)
• ABC – Channel 7 (3.5.07)
• Oprah (4.11.07)
Video of Nisha Gautam volunteering at NIH’s Children’s Inn, a residence for sick children and their families
ARTICLES OF INTEREST – Laughter, Humor, and Health
Black, Donald W. (1984) “Laughter”. J Am Medical Association, 252:21, 2995-8.
Cousins, Norman. (1976) “Anatomy of an Illness”. New England J of Medicine, v295, 1458-1463.
Van Blerkom, L (1995). Clown doctors: shaman healers of Western medicine. Med Anthropol Q, 9 (4), 462-75.
Weisenberg, M., Tepper, I., & Schwarzwald, J. (1995). Humor as a cognitive technique for increasing pain tolerance. Pain, 63 (2), 207-212.
LINKS
Dr. Andrew Weil has good articles online on how Laughter is the Best Medicine. Enter “Laughter” in his website’s search feature. Check http://www.drweil.com/
