Laughter is the best medicine!

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami writes in The Path of Perfection: "Yoga does not mean going to some class, paying some money, engaging in gymnastics, and then returning home to drink, smoke, and engage in sex. Such yoga is practiced by societies of the cheaters and the cheated...If one tells you that you can indulge in sex as much as you like and at the same time become a yogi, he is cheating you. If some so-called guru tells you to give him money in exchange for some mantra and that you can go on and engage in all kinds of nonsense, he is just cheating you. Because we want something sublime and yet want it cheaply, we put ourselves in a position to be cheated...if we want perfection in yoga, we have to pay for it by abstaining from sex. Perfection in yoga is not something childish, and Bhagavad-gita instructs us that if we try to make yoga into something childish, we will be cheated. There are many cheaters awaiting us, waiting to take our money, giving us nothing, and then leaving."

posted by vasumurti on 8/ 6/2008 2:44 pm

Thank you Dr. Wellbeign for sharing. I too am a Laughter Yoga Teacher and a Holistic Health Counselor. It truly is the best medicine.

In reponse to the first comment by Vasumurti here's a quote about laughter from a famouse Zen Buddhist Monk. “As for sitting in meditation, that is something that must include fits of ecstatic, blissful laughter. Laughter that will make you slump to the ground, clutching your belly, and even after that passes and you struggle to your feet it will make you fall anew in further contortions of slide splitting mirth.” ~ Hakuin Ekaku (Zen Buddhist Monk)

Yoga and meditation are acts of being present-minded and laughter does exactly that. It is impossible to be ruminating about the past or worrying about the future while engaged in a full-out belly laugh. I recommend Vasumurti give Laughter Yoga a try before knocking it. It is refered to as yoga, simply becuase it uses pranayama or yogic breathing throughout the laughter exercises. It is not meant to make a joke out of yoga.

For those serious about Laughter Yoga it becomes a way of life, were our normal life "drama" is taken a little less seriously and we are driven to help others by sharing laughter. How can that be bad?

posted by alcrisp on 8/ 6/2008 3:03 pm

Yes! Laughter Yoga profoundly brings you into the moment. Which of course is the only place life can occur. It teaches you that you can laugh at whatever. I laugh when I am stuck in traffic, spill something,... Laughter Yoga opens your life to play, just like a child. A dear friend whom I met through Laughter Yoga gave a me a great quote by Jean Houston, "At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities."

Laughter Yoga has the "Yoga" name as laughter is exhalation like all pranayama practices of Hatha yoga. The goal of all Yoga is to unite and balance our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual selves, thereby making our lives happier through the sense of well-being created from practicing Yoga. Practicing Laughter Yoga (Hasya Yoga) creates Well-being.

As to Vasumurti, Laughter Clubs are free. They are the doorway to starting a spiritual life for many people. Laughter opens the heart which allows you to connect with you true nature, the inner Self. You find that you are pure love. You come to love yourself. You can spread your love to others too. Living a life of Laughter is living as a true yogi. Spirit is also light and not serious, Laughter Yoga reminds us to lighten up, enjoy the journey of life, and to not take ourselves too seriously. Frankly Enlightened Masters, Gurus, are using Laughter Yoga in their trainings.

Again, everyone can laugh and practice Laughter Yoga. Much Love, GJ Peister, MD

posted by DrWellbeing on 8/ 6/2008 5:41 pm

I too am a Laughter Yoga Leader. My Laughter Yoga Partner and I have led sessions in nursing homes and in parks and at employee retreats. The response is always good. Dr. Madan Kataria's vision is world peace through laughter and has led Laughter sessions in over 60 countries, including S. Korea and Russia. There are more than 6000 laughter clubs all over the world. If you are in Rochester, NY, USA check out the Laughter Yoga website to contact us and come laugh with us! www.laughteryoga.org

posted by daleheffer on 8/ 6/2008 5:53 pm

I am a laughter yoga leader in Hawaii. I do not teach laughter but rather I aim to create a child-like environment in which laughter comes easily. Laughter yoga is a combination of simulated laughing exercies combined with breathing exercises; it is not comprised of poses or asanas. And while laughter yoga is quite different from traditional yoga in many regards, it does share some of the same goals.

Laughter is perhaps the most important ingredient of a fulflling life. A laugh a day just might keep the doctor away. It is no secret, however, that for most of us part of life includes times when the expression of joy is difficult due to circumstances and perceptions. The beauty of laughter yoga is that it creates the opportunity to release pent-up emotions. I have heard it said that laughter and crying are the opposites ends of the same release valve. When sadness or pain is pervasive in life, laughter yoga provides the opportunity for a new perspective. If the goal becomes to eliminate pain, then we also eliminate joy. Half the pain = Half the joy. Laughter yoga does not aim to eliminate the pain but rather provides a coping mechanism when faced with life's inevitable challenges. Laughter can help balance our lives.

All emotions are truly a gift. Having gratitude for the ability to feel is a good place to start. Learning to watch our emotions and not identify with them is also a skill that can be used to rise above some of the most challenging situations while still allowing ourselves to experience the process. Learning to harness the ability to direct our emotions as with the skills we learn in laughter yoga is freedom in the absolute. There are times we shed tears of joy so why not find the humor in the morose.

Laughter boosts the immune system, relieves pain and inflammation, decreases heart rate, reduces blood pressure, eases stress and lessens tension, elevates the mood, and feels good. Laughter yoga brings us in the present moment, free of all worry of past and future and in that moment is freedom, the freedom to express the joy of our birthright.

Laughter yoga can be practiced anywhere by any person in any state of health. Its easy to do, is fun, and good for you!

posted by laughingyogini on 8/ 9/2008 2:24 am

You must be a registered user to comment. If you are already registered Click here to login or Click here for our fast, free registration.