Laughter, manifestation of happiness, is a gift given to us to make us feel better. It is generally considered to be an essential behaviour of a happy, joyful person. It is said that laughter is the best medicine; it is a way to health and well-being, as proved by a number of scientific studies. Laughter Yoga is on the rise to give you the benefits of fun exercise, "ho ho, ha ha"!!
For a newfound popularity of Laughter Clubs as a way of staying fit, the credit goes to Dr. Madan Kataria, a medical doctor from Mumbai popularly known as the 'Guru of Giggling'. He is the founder of Laughter Yoga Clubs movement in 1995. Started with just five people in a public park in Mumbai, this innovative concept has grown into a worldwide phenomenon with more than 6000 Laughter Yoga clubs in over 60 countries. As described by Dr. Madan, Laughter Yoga is a unique exercise routine that combines group laughter exercises with yoga-based breathing, or pranayama, which allows anyone to laugh without using jokes, humour or comedies.
The concept of Laughter Yoga is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter. One gets the same physiological and psychological benefits. But when practised in a group, simulated laughter invariably turns into real and contagious laughter with eye contact and childlike playfulness. Laughter works stomach, chest, neck, and facial muscles, leaving people relaxed after a workout chock full o' chortles. This is a complete workout for wellness. Researchers say its effects may range from stress release to reduced risk of heart disease.
"Thirty minutes of exercise three times a week and 15 minutes of hearty laughter each day should be part of a healthy lifestyle," says Michael Miller of the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, US, whose team has shown that laughter relaxes arteries and boosts blood flow. And in addition to reducing stress and blood pressure, Loma Linda University Medical Center studies in California note that laughing can boost the immune system by upping the number and activity of T cells, the antibody IgA, IgB and Complement 3, which aids antibodies.
Such health benefits are numerous, but what mainly draws people towards laughter clubs is a simple realization that they seldom laugh and they want to laugh more.
Laugh, and the world laughs with you, this age old saying has taken the shape of World Laughter Day with the efforts of Dr. Madan Kataria, who says laughter is a common language that connects the world and is a panacea for all ills and negativity in this stress ridden modern world. Celebrated on the first Sunday of May every year, the day for Dr. Madan is all about how to bring the world together through laughter and is intended to build a global consciousness of friendship.
Laughter is a gift that keeps giving. It also helps us to bond with people and communicate with one another. Join this celebration, bond with people with the string of laughter and laugh your way to wellness!!
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