> Laughter

Laugh for No Reason

Jane is available to deliver 1-3 hour presentations, seminars, workshops and classes for your group or organization.  Laughter Yoga and Happiness Programs are available for individuals and groups.  Call 503.293.8906 for more information.

Thank you for an amazing afternoon. I can’t wait to do it again. It’s one of the best things I have ever done.
Niki Raley, Camas WA

What is Laughter Yoga?

Laughter Yoga is a simple yet profound technique based on the philosophy of “acting happiness” and is a physically oriented technique, not a mental practice. In Laughter Yoga, you don’t need to be happy, have a sense of humor, or even have a reason in order to laugh. Laughter is a tremendously efficient way to express and release tension in a positive manner, and is proven to relieve stress, improve blood flow and digestion, and strengthen the immune system.

Laughter Yoga is a new mind-body exercise that increase the supply of oxygen to the brain as well as initiating other powerful positive changes.  Developed by an Indian Medical doctor, Dr. Kataria in 1995 with just 5 people, there are now 6,000 yoga clubs in 60 countries.  Dr. Kataria discovered that the body can’t tell the difference between fake and real laughter.  Incorporating laughter (fake or real) as part of an individual’s wellness routine has enormous physical, mental and emotional benefits including decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety while boosting an individual’s capacity to effectively manage their own moods, deal with uncomfortable feelings and generally strengthen the ability to cope with life. 

What are Some of the Benefits of Laughter?

Because laughter is incorporated with deep breathing exercises, the level of oxygen to the body is greatly enhanced resulting in many physiological as well as emotional and mental benefits including lowering of stress and stress-related symptoms, strengthening of the immune system and increasing the feel-good hormones—endorphins and serotonin.  For a more complete list of the types of benefits possible with laughter yoga or laughter therapy click here.

Here are 10 good reasons to come laugh for no reason

• Is a stress buster. It reduces the levels of stress hormones epinephrine and cortisol.
• Strengthens the immune system.
• Is anti-ageing. It increases blood supply to the face, nourishing the skin and making it glow.
• Is an aerobic exercise.
• Increases levels of endorphins – the body’s natural painkillers.
• Helps control high blood pressure by reducing the release of stress-related hormones.
• Helps dump depression, anxiety and psychosomatic disorders.
• Makes us more creative and imaginative.
• Shrinks the hurts of everyday life.
• Defuses anger.
• Helps individuals be more self-confident and self-expressive.

Here are Just a Few of the Many Clinically Proven Benefits of Laughter

Mental/Emotional Benefits of Laughter

• Easier to cope with life’s challenges
• Puts us in the “now”
• Increases unconditional joy
• Helps us cope with conflict
• Shrinks hurt so that issues feel less painful and even inconsequential
• Reduces stress and tension
• Acts as a cathartic emotional release of blocked feelings held in the body
• Diffuses painful feelings like fear, anger and boredom
• Increases our ability to enjoy other people
• Creates a positive energy and vibe
• Eliminates negative emotions and thoughts
• Creates an unconditional state of joy, compassion and love amongst groups of people
• Builds a sense of safety and self-confidence
• Helps us feel comfortable in any situation
• Reduces self-consciousness, embarrassment and shame
• Allows us to be more open with others
• Creativity is enhanced
• Enhances our sociability as we become more open and fun to be with.  We become more likeable
• Fosters states of feeling “in-love” with life and others.

Physiological Benefits of Laughter

• Decreases the levels of toxic concentrations of stress hormones that attack the body and result in diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease and heart attacks; arthritis; asthma and other allergic conditions; diabetes; cancer; chronic fatigue; anxiety attacks; mood swings; psychological distress; depression; sleep problems; eating disorders; peptic ulcers; poor immune function; chronic pain; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; colds; flu and viruses; headaches and migraines; alcoholism and drug abuse and more.
 
• Laughter quickly reduces the levels of stress chemicals in the body.  Significant reductions can occur in minutes and last for days.


• While stress turns down or “off” certain physiological systems such as the circulatory, digestive, sexual and immune systems, laughter boosts these same systems.