| Can one be happy and stay positive in such a | | | | Many reasons can explain the Laughter Yoga social |
| stressful and challenging world? My friends and I | | | | phenomenon. Just consider this one: anybody can |
| regularly answer to the top of our lungs with an | | | | laugh anytime, anywhere, alone or in a group. Success |
| affirmative "yes!" at the end of every laughter session | | | | comes from the heart, not the mind, and everybody |
| we have together, often times daily. We laugh for no | | | | wins. This activity is free and carries with it the |
| particular reason except that of feeling happier and | | | | potential for tremendous physical, mental, emotional |
| healthier. No jokes. | | | | and even spiritual benefits. Many consider it their gift |
| Most of the people we know are stressed out to | | | | back to humanity. |
| varying degrees. Many are depressed. Others prefer | | | | Scientific research has shown time and time again |
| to be angry and vindictive. Considering the current | | | | over the past 20 years that laughter has both |
| state of the world we live in it is easy to understand | | | | preventive and therapeutic values. Laughter helps us |
| where they are coming from. Very few things can | | | | keep healthy by enriching the blood with ample supplies |
| make people laugh while hundreds can make them | | | | of oxygen, the lifeline of our system. It helps to remove |
| frown, howl and cry. | | | | the negative effects of stress, acts as a pain killer and |
| The lives of my friends cannot be described as easy. | | | | boosts the immune system. Native and traditional |
| Some experience major financial struggles, others go | | | | healers have long believed that without an uplifted spirit |
| through difficult times in their relationships or have | | | | there is not enough energy or vital force for a person |
| some rather heavy duty physical challenges. All still | | | | to completely experience healing. |
| prefer to laugh and we take it very seriously. | | | | There is more. |
| Laughter is a necessary component of human | | | | Laughter puts us intensely in the moment. The ability to |
| happiness, and its absence is a pathology that results | | | | fully live and experience the "now" is of utmost |
| in maladaptive and other dysfunctional behaviors (e.g. | | | | importance because it is the only moment where we |
| guilt, depression, worry.) | | | | can experience happiness. |
| Why leave such an important function to chance? | | | | Also consider that feelings and emotions do not live in |
| An Indian family physician Dr. Madan Kataria | | | | thin air. They need a chemical base that can only exist |
| discovered 11 years ago that anybody could laugh for | | | | with specific physical behaviors (tighten all the muscles |
| no particular reason for 20 minutes or more at a time, | | | | of your body, frown, make a mean face and try to |
| anytime, anywhere. He dispelled forever the myths | | | | feel love for your sweetheart if you need to |
| that one much be happy or have a sense of humor to | | | | consciously experiment with this). Anger and happiness |
| laugh. | | | | are mutually exclusive. Acting happy is the easiest |
| This one man idea started a bush fire in the hearts | | | | way (over time and with practice) to becoming happy, |
| & minds of many around the world and directly | | | | regardless of what may be going on in your life. |
| inspired the creation of over 5000 Laughter Clubs in 40 | | | | Motions create emotions. |
| countries. Most of them are free and public. | | | | People who laugh don't worry as much as people who |
| Life has no meaning. We give meaning to life. | | | | don't laugh, and as such enjoy life more. Laughter |
| Can one be happy and stay positive in such a | | | | makes their circumstances seem less serious and |
| stressful and challenging world? My friends and I | | | | therefore tolerable. A playful approach to everyday |
| regularly answer to the top of our lungs with an | | | | things is a key factor in keeping healthy. Daily chores |
| affirmative "yes!" at the end of every laughter session | | | | are less burdensome when we laugh while doing them. |
| we have together, often times daily. We laugh for no | | | | We aren't always having fun, but we do have a lot |
| particular reason except that of feeling happier and | | | | more fun with laughter than without. |
| healthier. No jokes. | | | | |