Laughter Yoga Atlanta : : About

Laughter Yoga is a cutting edge health and wellness movement that combines unconditional laughter with yogic breathing. Anyone can laugh heartily without relying on jokes, humor or comedy. The concept is based on scientific knowledge that the body cannot distinguish between real and self-stimulated, or faked laughter — both generate physiological and psychological health benefits. During a Laughter Yoga session, participants initiate laughter as exercise in a group setting, and through making eye contact and enacting a sense of playfulness, self-simulated laughter soon becomes genuine and contagious. Laughter Yoga is not postural yoga and requires limited physical ability, and no special exercise clothing or equipment. All that is needed is a willingness to laugh. The practice is called Laughter Yoga because laughter exercises are interspersed with deep yogic breathing and gentle stretches. The breathing deepens the laughter and increases the net intake of oxygen, which boosts peak performance levels. The practice was established by an Indian medical doctor in 1995, and is now practiced in over 80 countries worldwide.

Did you know that laughter counts as exercise? Laughter Yoga is a complete mind and body workout that engages all of the senses and cultivates a joyous state of mindfulness free from stress, tension, and worry.

What if I can't laugh, or do not feel happy? Bring your body and a willingness to try — the mind will follow. The motion of laughter creates joyous emotions.

This innovative concept has been featured in publications such as TIME Magazine, The New York Times, The New Yorker, National Geographic, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Daily Telegraph (UK) and many others. Laughter Yoga has also been featured on Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC news, CNN, ZDF (Germany), NHK (Japan), and other TV networks.

The mission of Laughter Yoga Atlanta is to bring good health, joy, and community through laughter.