Laughter Yoga

Laughter yoga is a unique exercise that combines voluntary laughter with yogic breathing techniques. The premise of laughter yoga is that anyone can laugh without relying on humor, jokes, or comedy. Laughter is initiated as a physical exercise while maintaining eye contact and promoting childlike playfulness. What starts out as voluntary laughter soon turns into real and contagious laughter. Scientific studies have proven one receives the same health benefits of laughter whether the laughter is voluntary or involuntary. Benefits of laughter include increasing fresh oxygenated blood to the brain and body, increases endorphins, helps maintain emotional balance, and boosts the immune system. Laughter yoga was created by a medical doctor, Dr. Madan Kataria, in 1995 in Mumbai, India, and is taught by Juliet Pellicane, a Certified Laughter Yoga Instructor. Sponsored by a Grant from the Cummings Foundation and Youville House.