What Laughter Yoga can do for you and your business.

By Dr Madan Kataria
Why Laughter Yoga in Business

Work place is becoming too serious because of increasing stress levels. The general impression is that serious people are more responsible and more productive. This is not true. More productive people are those who take their work seriously but take themselves lightly.

Scientific research shows us that laughter can help resolve workplace stress and create a happy, energized and motivated workforce. But, until now there has been no reliable and effective way to induce laughter. Humor has been one of the ways but it seldom leads to continuous hearty laughter.

Laughter Yoga is a breakthrough laughter delivery system that enables a person to laugh continuously for 15 to 20 minutes with short breaks of yogic breathing.
To get the scientifically proven benefits, laughter has to be:
Hearty – emanating from the belly (diaphragm)
It has to be extended for a longer period of time.
In our daily lives we laugh for barely a few seconds here and there, which is not enough to bring about powerful physiological changes. But Laughter Yoga is an ideal practice, which allows laughter to be extended at will.

What is Laughter Yoga

Laughter Yoga is a unique exercise routine that I have developed and launched as a movement in 1998. According to this concept anyone can laugh without relying on humor, jokes or comedy. Laughter is simulated as an exercise in a group. With eye contact and childlike playfulness, it soon turns into real and contagious laughter. The reason we call it Laughter Yoga is because it combines laughter exercises with yoga-based breathing patterns. This allows more oxygen into the body and the brain, which makes one feel more energetic and healthy.

The concept of Laughter Yoga is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter. One gets the same physiological and psychological benefits.

This innovative concept has been widely accepted all over the world and has been written about in prestigious publications including the TIME Magazine, National Geographic, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Daily Telegraph (UK) and many others. Laughter clubs were also featured on Oprah Winfrey Show, BBC, CNN, ZDF (Germany ) NHK (Japan ), ABC news ( USA ) and other TV networks.

Corporate Benefits of Laughter Yoga

Laughter Yoga, which initially started as a social club movement, has now entered the business world, where it provides companies and organizations powerful operational benefits. Companies around the world are starting to introduce Laughter Yoga and employers find that it can have a profound influence on their business even making their company more profitable. By introducing laughter sessions for all staff, companies have reported a happier workplace, increased efficiency, better communication, increase in sales and productivity, increased creativity and better teamwork, decrease in illness and absenteeism, and a reduction in employee turnover.
How Laughter Yoga helps improve business and performance

Workplace stress: While there are many tools available for stress management, Laughter Yoga is a unique practice that helps reduce physical, mental and emotional stress at the same time. It works both at the physical and mental level. A research conducted in December 2006 on 50 information technology professionals in Bangalore found a significant reduction in stress levels as shown by reduction in cortisol levels in saliva.

Improved efficiency: At a given time, performance depends upon mood and Laughter Yoga has the power to change the frame of mind within minutes by releasing neuro-peptides from the brain cells called endorphins. Science tells us that the brain needs 25% more oxygen than other body organs. Laughter Yoga increases the net supply of oxygen, which helps in optimal performance and boosts energy levels.

Team building: “People who laugh together, work together”. John Cleese, a renowned British comedian, once said during his visit to Mumbai that laughter is a great connector of people. It breaks all hierarchies and is a force for democracy. Laughter Yoga has the ability to change the work environment drastically by making people happy and cheerful, bringing positive mental attitude, hope and optimism in the workforce. It also increases communication skills to help in teambuilding.

Leadership skills: A good leader is the one who is in touch with his or her emotional being and understand those of others. Laughter Yoga helps connect with people in the workplace and bring an emotional balance. This is greatly helpful in achieving targets and accomplishing goals.

Innovation and creativity: The most creative people in the world are children. The essence of Laughter Yoga is to cultivate child like playfulness. This playfulness stimulates the right brain activity, which is the seat of creativity. This helps in generating new ideas and insights about workplace issues and problems.

Increasing attention span in HR trainings: The human brain cannot concentrate for more than 90 minutes after which the attention span reduces. Even a 5-10 minute Laughter Yoga session can provide a great energy boost during long HR training sessions and conferences. It helps in increasing the attention span, enhancing learning skills and overall concentration.

Positive work environment: Job dissatisfaction and hostile work environment compel people to change jobs more frequently, thus affecting productivity and profitability. Laughter Yoga creates positive energy and improves communication between people. The study on IT companies in Bangalore also confirmed an increase in positive emotions and decrease in negativity, thereby developing an emotional intelligence. This helps in creating a more constructive work environment and ensures loyalty and commitment.

Motivation and communication: For people working in front office and sales and marketing, Laughter Yoga helps to bring a smile on their face and generate an overall feeling of wellbeing. This enhances their communication and motivational skills thus increasing their client base and customer satisfaction.

Health benefits of Laughter Yoga
The basic objective of every human being is to enjoy life, live in harmony with family and friends. But, one cannot enjoy life if one is stressed out. Laughter Yoga is a single exercise routine which brings physical, mental and social wellbeing in shortest possible time. People can experience benefits of this unique practice from the very first session.

In my 30 years of experience in medicine, the two most common causes of ill health are wrong food habits and lack of exercise which leads to heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and many stress-related illnesses.
Executives are very busy and have no time to exercise. Dr. Williams Fry of Stanford University proved that 10 minutes of hearty laughter is equal to 30 minutes on the rowing machine- this is not in terms of muscular movement but a cardio pulmonary endurance. The purpose of all aerobic exercises is to stimulate heart rate, increase blood circulation, supply oxygen and remove toxins.
The author is Mumbai-based medical doctor and founder of Laughter Yoga International

How Laughter Can Help People With Diabetes Avoid Heart Disease

Diabetes drastically raises your risk of heart disease, but you may be able to laugh off some of the danger.

Researchers prescribed a daily "dose" of humor -- 30 minutes of a favorite sitcom or video -- to diabetes patients, along with standard medication. Other diabetics got the medical treatment but not the shot of fun. Blood tests taken before and after the study showed that patients who tickled their funny bones lowered their heart risk substantially: They had about a 26 percent increase in HDL ("good" cholesterol), compared with a bump of just 3 percent among patients in the control group. And levels of C-reactive protein, a marker for heart-harming inflammation, dropped by 66 percent, compared with a 26 percent decrease in the other patients. "Stress can be deadly," says study coauthor Lee Berk, DrPH, at Loma Linda University in California. "And laughter suppresses stress hormones -- it really is the best medicine."

From Reader's Digest - July 2009

The Stress Management and Health Benefits of Laughter

The Laughing Cure
By Elizabeth Scott, M.S

Hormones: Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine (adrenaline), dopamine and growth hormone. It also increases the level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins, and neurotransmitters.

Laughter increases the number of antibody-producing cells and enhances the effectiveness of T cells. All this means a stronger immune system, as well as fewer physical effects of stress.

Physical Release: Have you ever felt like you "have to laugh or I'll cry"? Have you experienced the cleansed feeling after a good laugh? Laughter provides a physical and emotional release.

Internal Workout: A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, contracts the abs and even works out the shoulders, leaving muscles more relaxed afterward. It even provides a good workout for the heart.

Distraction: Laughter brings the focus away from anger, guilt, stress and negative emotions in a more beneficial way than other mere distractions.

Perspective: Studies show that our response to stressful events can be altered by whether we view something as a 'threat' or a 'challenge'. Humor can give us a more lighthearted perspective and help us view events as 'challenges', thereby making them less threatening and more positive.

Social Benefits of Laughter: Laughter connects us with others. Also, laughter is contagious, so if you bring more laughter into your life, you can most likely help others around you to laugh more, and realize these benefits as well. By elevating the mood of those around you, you can reduce their stress levels, and perhaps improve the quality of social interaction you experience with them, reducing your stress level even more!

How To Use Laughter:
Laughter is one of my all-time favorite stress management strategies because it's free, convenient, and beneficial in so many ways. You can get more laughter in your life with the following strategies:

T.V. and Movies: There's no shortage of laughter opportunities from the entertainment, both at the theater and in the aisles of the video stores, as well as at home with T.V. comedies. While wasting your time watching something marginally funny may actually frustrate you, watching truly hilarious movies and shows is an easy way to get laughter into your life whenever you need it.

Laugh With Friends: Going to a movie or comedy club with friends is a great way to get more laughter in your life. The contagious effects of laughter may mean you'll laugh more than you otherwise would have during the show, plus you'll have jokes to reference at later times. Having friends over for a party or game night is also a great setup for laughter and other good feelings.

Find Humor In Your Life: Instead of complaining about life's frustrations, try to laugh about them. If something is so frustrating or depressing it's ridiculous, realize that you could 'look back on it and laugh.' Think of how it will sound as a story you could tell to your friends, and then see if you can laugh about it now. With this attitude, you may also find yourself being more lighthearted and silly, giving yourself and those around you more to laugh about. Approach life in a more mirthful way and you'll find you're less stressed about negative events, and you'll achieve the health benefits of laughter. (See this article on maintaining a sense of humor.)

'Fake It Until You Make It': Just as studies show the positive effects of smiling occur whether the smile is fake or real, faked laughter also provides the benefits mentioned above. So smile more, and fake laughter; you'll still achieve positive effects, and the fake merriment may lead to real smiles and laughter.

More on Having Fun: See these additional suggestions on laughing more and having fun in your life.

Parade of Humor in Odessa, Ukraine

Humor for Halloween

40 Inspirational Speeches in 2 Minutes

YouTube SEE IT!

Investing in Laughter Can Pay Big Dividends by Cindy Witt

We all know that investing in good nutrition and exercising regularly should be at the top of the list in our health portfolios. Another addition to consider is a substantial investment in laughter.

Studies have shown that laughter has a profound affect on our well being. A good laugh can actually strengthen your immune system, reduce food cravings and increase your threshold of pain tolerance. A hearty guffaw can reduce the level of stress hormones such as cortisol, epinephrine (adrenaline), dopamine and growth hormones. It also increases the level of health-enhancing hormones such as endorphins and neurotransmitters. Laughter will increase the number of antibody-producing cells and boosts the effectiveness of T cells which, in a nutshell, provides us with a stronger immune system, as well as fewer physical stress related consequences such has heart disease.

Studies also show that our response to stressful episodes can be changed by how we view them. Do we view something as a threat or do we think of it as a challenge? Humor can give us a more lighthearted perspective and enable us to think of these stressful events as challenges which make them less foreboding and more positive.

An investment in laughter will enhance and make your Health Portfolio even more valuable in developing a happier and more fulfilling life. Not only does laughing provide you with emotional and physical release it can also provide you with the following benefits.

Benefits of Laughter

* A big heart felt belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, contracts your abs, and can even work your shoulders which, in turn will leave your muscles more relaxed. It actually provides a good workout for your heart!

* Laughter can bring your mental focus away from anger, stress, guilt and other negative emotions.

* A good chuckle can provide us with a connection to others. It can be contagious, not only benefiting you but those around you as well. By joining others in a little mirth and merriment you can lighten your day, promote positive social interaction with friends and co-workers and perhaps help them to realize what a solid investment laughter can be.

Now that we know what a wise investment laughter can be we have to figure out how to get more of it in our life. We lead such busy, fast paced, demanding lives in today’s society. So how do we find those smiles, giggles and out loud laughs that are so therapeutic and necessary for a healthy and balanced life? Here are some ideas that may help you in your quest for a good laugh:

Sources of Laughter

* There’s an almost endless supply of laughter via television, movies and audio CDs. Build up a library of your favorite sitcoms, movies and comedy CDS.

* Save those funny novels and books of jokes for a rainy or teary day.

* Clip cartoons that make you giggle from magazines and newspapers, keep them in a scrap book and pull them out when the need strikes you.

* Set up a desktop folder on your computer with funny video clips from YouTube, jokes, and links to various funny websites.

* Whatever tickles your funny bone, keep it on hand, for a quick dose of laugher.

* Get together with friends for some lively conversation, a movie night, or perhaps suggest playing a group game such as charades and everyone involved will forget the stresses of the day.

* Recognize the humor in your every day life. Instead of complaining about life’s frustrations, try making light of them.

* If something is happening in your life that is so frustrating and depressing it’s almost leaning towards the absurd, realize that you will quite likely “look back on it and laugh”.

* Make a frustrating experience into a story that you can tell your friends and family and just see if you can’t laugh about it now.

Life is too short to dwell on the negative. Learn to laugh at yourself and life in general and you may find you are more lighthearted and silly, giving yourself and others more to laugh about. Even if you have to fake it, laugh! Studies have shown that positive emotional, physical, and psychological effects take place in your body whether your grin is real or fake. Smile and give your face a holiday! You never know it could very well lead to real smiles that can transform into laughter!

So next time you’re contemplating what you need to add to your Health Portfolio, start laughing. It’s an investment that will pay huge dividends and make your life richer in both health benefits and overall well-being.

What is Laughter Yoga?

Laughter Yoga started in 1995, at a park in Mumbai, India by a medical doctor, Dr. Kataria. He developed the laughing/breathing exercises and found remarkable results!
Take a look at CNN clip

What are the benefits of laugh?
Laugh is:


Stress buster, reduces cortisol (THE stress hormone) and increases endorphins (Happy hormones).

Strengthens the immune system (increases your own natural antibodies to fight off disease).

Anti-aging (tones facial muscles and increases the blood supply to the face and nourishes the skin).

Aerobic exercise (Stimulates the heart and blood circulation). Stanford University claims one (1) minute of laughter is equal to ten (10) minutes of cardiovascular exercise.

Internal jogging (Laughter massages the internal organs by enhancing the blood supply and increasing their efficiency). Also, helps tone the abdominal muscles and improve overall muscle tone.

Natural Pain Killer (increases endorphins) and can reduce pain in certain medical conditions, such as, arthritis, muscle spasms and spondylitis.

Controls High Blood Pressure (reduce blood pressure by reducing cortisol, THE stress hormone). This is not a substitute for seeking medical advice if you have high blood pressure.

Reduces depression and anxiety (sleep better, reduce the strain and stress of everyday life).

Reduces Bronchitis and asthma (laughter increases oxygen to the lungs and lung capacity).

Makes you FEEL good (You will notice a change in your mood for the ENTIRE day following a laughter session).