Laughter Yoga or Hasya Yoga Laughing Buddha Yoga

The old adage that "LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE" is certainly true- plus with the added benefit that it is far cheaper than most medical and natural therapies too! If you do not have at least 20 minutes accumulated laughter time clocked up each day than you are doing very poorly in the scheme of things. Some people don't even remember when they had their last good laugh that is indeed most unfortunate. But help is on the way laughter can be experienced and relearned. Even those suffering from depression can benefit from laughter yoga.

HASYA YOGA (hasya means laughter in Sanskrit) combines deep, controlled breathing and stretches with various types of simulated laughter and laughter broken down into sylables in a chant form. The laughter may feel contrived or forced when you first begin the class but after a short while it becomes totally contagous a most natural release even blissful. The laughter meditation is an incredible experience. Each time you practice it comes more readily and deeper. Our lives are often complicated and fraught with a challenges,"It certainly is of assistance if you're able to laugh in the face of adversity. In fact the benefits are positively life-enhancing. Not only does laughter free you from inhibitions but you enjoy added self-confidence and well being. By embracing the spirit of laughter, it's possible to achieve a more positive outlook on life, as well as improved lung capacity and abdominal tone.
D uring the practice of HASYA Yoga the abdominal muscles vigorously contract and expand which tones the digestive system, strong abdominal muscles contribute to a healthy digestive and elimination system. It also raises both pulse rate and blood pressure, stimulating and toning the circulatory system, and strengthens the respiratory system by utilizing the entire capacity of the lungs. Prana or life force is generated and gains entry to our bodies via our breath. A healthy respiratory system and strong lungs are essential to the well-being of both body and spirit. The abdomen houses our life force centre or furnace and the Solar Plexus chakra ( CENTRE OF WILL) thus our vital forces are renewed.

When you simulate laughter the body doesn't know that it is not real and reacts in the same manner as in your peak moments of joy by releasing the feel good health giving hormones or endorphins. These endorphins trigger the whole of your hormone system and the neuro transmitters in the brain. When you start laughing without a reason your physiology and biochemistry changes.. To laugh just makes you feel good, and assists you to look at your problems in a different manner. Hasya laughter yoga is not induced by humour.--Humour is mental and intellectual phenomenon which is individual and varies from culture to culture. Humour is difficult to define and it is almost impossible to measure the outcome. Laughter yoga is more of physical phenomenon which is the outcome of joyful play behavior rather than mental activity sarcasm or ridicule. Regular practice actually enables you to laugh at yourself to face life very differently. Laughter yoga can be practiced by almost everyone it is beneficial to most illness especially strokes and cancer patients, but it is important if you have a severe illness or had recent surgery to have a medical release before participating. Laughter can put you in stitches but it can also burst medical stitches too- but what a way to have them taken out!
( Joking of course) MEDICAL RESEARCH LINK
HA HA HO HAUM SHA H HAA SHANTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEE! INDEX