Have you ever heard that laughing is great exercise? Well here’s a new fitness fad that takes that principle to heart: laughter yoga. Described as part traditional yoga, part improvise, and part silliness, laughter yoga is quickly growing as a popular way to get fit. Originally invented in India, there are approximately 60 instructors in the United States now training practitioners nationwide. And although they are spread all across the country, the majority of laughter yoga clubs are in California.
Jeffrey Briar, who teaches both traditional and laughter yoga in Laguna Beach, CA, says that laughter enhances the breathing exercises that are so important to yoga and creates social interaction that isn’t normally a part of his traditional classes. He even says that the laughter can be pretend at first — because if you’re fake laughing in a group it becomes real laughter very quickly.
There have been many studies on the effects of laughter on health, and links have been found to suggest laughter can ease depression, lower blood pressure, and boost the immune system. I’ll have to check around and see if this laughter yoga is offered at all in my area, it sounds like fun!
Author by Rigel Gregg
