Hasya yoga, commonly referred to as laughter yoga, is a type of exercise that incorporates laughter with yoga breathing methods. It was created in 1995 by a physician by the name of Madan Kataria, who was motivated by the work of American journalist Norman Cousins, who utilized laughing to aid in his recovery from a life-threatening illness.

Hasya yoga has been promoted as a technique to enhance one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It entails participating in simulated laughter exercises, frequently in a group environment. Laughter yoga may provide advantages such as lowering stress levels, enhancing cardiovascular health, elevating mood, and fostering social connections.

According to one study, hasya yoga greatly lowers stress and elevates mood in those with depression and anxiety (Sharma, 2012). A similar study discovered that laughter yoga can raise endorphin levels, the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals, while decreasing levels of the stress hormone cortisol (Zhong et al., 2016). These results indicate that laughter yoga might benefit mental health.
Kaur et al(2014) .’s study, for instance, discovered that hasya yoga can enhance cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure, boosting blood flow, and reducing arterial stiffness. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that laughing reduces inflammation in the body, which may be advantageous for people who suffer from long-term illnesses like asthma or arthritis (Kaur et al., 2014).

In addition to its positive effects on physical and mental health, hasya yoga has been shown to enhance social ties and boost sentiments of social support (Zhong et al., 2016). A sense of community and connection can be fostered by laughter yoga sessions, which frequently incorporate group activities and playfulness. For those who may be socially isolated or lack social connections, this sense of social support might be especially crucial because it has been associated with better mental health outcomes (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010).

Hasya yoga workshops are typically led by trained instructors who guide participants through a series of laughter exercises and games. These workshops can be held in a variety of settings, including community centers, workplaces, and schools. Some laughter yoga workshops may also include elements of traditional yoga, such as stretching and breathing exercises.

It is important to note that laughter yoga is not a replacement for medical treatment or therapy. Individuals experiencing mental health issues or chronic physical conditions should consult with a healthcare professional for appropriate treatment. However, for individuals looking to improve their overall well-being, laughter yoga may be a worthwhile addition to their self-care routine.

Finally, it has been discovered that practicing hasya yoga may have a variety of positive effects on one’s physical, mental, and emotional health. To completely comprehend the mechanisms underlying these advantages and to establish the ideal frequency and length of laughter yoga sessions, more research is required. The research that is now available, however, points to laughter yoga as a potential technique for enhancing general health and wellbeing.

References:

  • Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., Layton, J. B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: A meta-analytic review. PLoS Medicine, 7(7), e1000316.
  • Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., Baker, M., Harris, T., & Stephenson, D. (2010). “Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: A meta-analytic review.” Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5(2), 218-227.
  • Kaur, S., Singh, N., Sharma, A. (2014). Laughter yoga: A potential complementary and alternative therapy for cardiovascular disease. Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 58(4), 412-417.
  • Kaur, H., Singh, J., & Singh, N. (2014). “Effect of laughter yoga on cardiovascular parameters.” International Journal of Yoga, 7(2), 144-149.
  • Sharma, A. (2012). Effect of laughter yoga on depression, anxiety and stress among the elderly. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 6(3), 4
  • Sharma, S. (2012). “Laughter yoga as a stress buster.” Journal of Natural Science, Biology, and Medicine, 3(1), 47-48.
  • Zhong, X., Zhang, J., & Chen, Y. (2016). “The effects of laughter yoga on psychological well-being and cortisol levels.” Journal of Holistic Nursing, 34(2), 123-130.