Laughter Yoga (Hasya Yoga)

What is Laughter Yoga (Hasya Yoga)?

Forced laughter that becomes real laughter. Start laughing for no reason — your body can't tell the difference between real and fake laughter. Within 30 seconds, the fake laugh triggers a real one. Laughter reduces cortisol, boosts immune function, releases endorphins, and is literally contagious.

Is there evidence for it?

How do you do Laughter Yoga (Hasya Yoga)?

1. 1.Find a private space (or a group — it's more fun). Start with deep breathing: inhale through nose, exhale with a 'ha ha ha ha' sound. Clap your hands rhythmically
2. 2.Begin forced laughter: 'Ha ha ha, ho ho ho' — loud, from the belly, with eye contact if in a group. It feels ridiculous. That's the point. The absurdity triggers real laughter within 30-60 seconds
3. 3.Exercises: lion laugh (tongue out, eyes wide, roar-laugh), milkshake laugh (pretend to pour two glasses, drink, and laugh), argument laugh (point at someone and laugh-argue). Each lasts 30-45 seconds
4. 4.Cool-down: lie on the ground (laughter meditation), close eyes, breathe naturally. Notice how your body feels — typically: warm, tingling, deeply relaxed, face muscles sore from smiling
5. 5.Research: laughter yoga reduces cortisol, increases NK cell activity (immune), releases endorphins equivalent to 30 minutes of exercise, and improves lung capacity. Madan Kataria started the movement in 1995; now 16,000+ clubs worldwide

How long does it take?

15-20 minutes per session.

Is it hard to start?

easy.

This is one entry from the library Shift matches against. It is general information, not advice about you, and nothing on this page came from anyone's conversation.