Apparently, these days, observing good health is indeed a laughing matter. Don’t believe me? Just ask die-hard fans of a practice called Laughter Yoga. If you’re laughing already, then you’ve got the right idea.
Laughter Yoga is the brainchild of Mumbai medical doctor, Madan Kataria. His creation combines classic Yogic breathing (called Pranayama) with good, old fashion, unconditional laughter. Dr Kataria promises his amalgamation of the two practices is incredibly therapeutic. Laughter Yoga’s ability to create joy without reason deems it a solution more powerful than any pain-killing pill. The only challenge remaining, is believe in it.
According to clinical research, Laughter diminishes the level of stress hormones (like epinephrine and cortisol) within the blood stream. Less stress fosters an upbeat and hopeful attitude. Such positivity can work wonders on an individual suffering from depression, trauma, or severe anxiety. Evidently, there’s no reason to run straight for antidepressants, knowing that every individual has the personal power to giggle their troubles away.
The theory behind Laughter Yoga is simple, fake laughter turns into real laughter. Proven through scientific verity, the human body cannot distinguish between authentic and fabricated laughter. Actor or not, anyone can force a chuckle without much effort. Thus, Kataria and his trainees “simulate” laughter through a group body exercise, using “eye contact and childlike playfulness [which] soon turns into” raw, contagious, and uncontrollable laughter. Believers assert it’s as simple as it sounds.
Regardless of real laughter or not, how can a fabricated giggle stimulate true happiness? Well, the key premise of Laughter Yoga is its focus on Joy rather than Happiness. Doctor Kataria argues that Happiness is a passing, short-lived emotion and a “conditional response, subject to fulfillment of certain desires of the Mind.” Joyfulness, on the other hand, is an unrestricted commitment to have fun and be content in the moment, regardless of life’s surrounding circumstances. Dr. Kataria has a point, how long have you stayed happy after, let’s say, receiving some excellent news or hearing a great joke? My guess is not much longer than a day or maybe an hour. The moment passes, we find another obstacle to overcome, and forget what our happiness even felt like. Joy is equally as powerful and far easier to call upon.
Furthermore, Laughter Yogi’s attest that drugs are not the answer to life’s problems. Pills and prescriptions are costly and addictive. Not to mention, medication for anxiety and depression is only 50 percent affective according to lab research. Laughter has the power to be 100 percent effective if given the chance.
There’s no reason to shun a solution that’s pain-free, cost-free and substance-free.
Truthfully, however, the only obstacle I see with this practice is an ability to believe in its influence. Personal experience has shown me that the mind it one of the strongest organs in our body. We can convince ourselves something is effective simply by accepting it as truth. Most people are familiar with the term “placebo,” which is essentially an inert pill used to test the efficacy of an actual drug. Patients often admit to feeling relief from the placebo pill, simply by believing they have taken the actual medication. This reaction is known as the “placebo effect” and demonstrates the power of the mind. In my opinion, individuals seeking the benefits of Laughter Yoga must put all of their trust into the experience and leave doubts at the door. Otherwise, it seems unlikely real effects can be felt.
Nevertheless, Laughter Yoga’s strong fleet of believers and lofty promises prove it’s worth a shot. So, next time you’re feeling nervous about an exam or overwhelmed by the pressures of modern day society, don’t head to a bar to drink your troubles away. Get a bunch of your friends together, assume the infamous “down-ward dog” Yoga pose, and start to force a chuckle or two. I presume you’ll start feeling a whole lot better about life. If you don’t, well at least you took a few minutes to exercise your smile.
WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EGTETc5oFU
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