Laughter yoga is deliberate laughter, done in a group, without jokes, humour or comedy. It sounds odd written down. It works because the body does not distinguish much between laughter you decided to do and laughter that arrived on its own.

It is a fast, physical way back into your breath, and it is one of the few wellbeing activities that requires no fitness, no flexibility and no prior anything.

What the research shows

These are the benefits most commonly associated with laughter yoga, and the ones I am comfortable naming without being a medical practitioner or a scientist:

  • It boosts the immune system
  • It regulates blood flow
  • It increases oxygen to the brain and body cells
  • It decreases depression and anxiety
  • It provides pain relief
  • It helps manage stress

A systematic review by Alici and Donmez (2020) of laughter yoga in older adults found positive effects on both physical function and psychosocial outcomes, and concluded it was cost-effective with no adverse effects.

What a session is like

We begin by making an effort to laugh. Following the group dynamic, the laughter stops being effortful and becomes spontaneous. That state is sometimes called laughter meditation: you are no longer doing laughter, you are just laughing, and for many people tears arrive and sides ache.

There are no jokes involved at any point. That surprises people, and then it stops mattering.

Who books this

Workplaces wanting something genuinely different for a team day. Community groups and aged care settings, where the evidence for older adults is strongest. Private groups who want an hour that is purely enjoyable.

You can also join the No Limits laughter club rather than booking a private session.

Book a session or join the club

I run laughter yoga in person around Bellingen and the Mid North Coast, and online. I am also available for online talks and collaborations. Contact Alex to book a group session or find out when the next laughter club runs.

Related reading

How I came to laughter yoga and what abandoning yourself to laughter actually means, on the Insights blog.