Date/Time
Date(s) - 05/01/2015
10:30 am - 11:30 am

Location
The Gorge Therapy & Training Centre

Category(ies)

• Regular Event

Laughter Yoga with the GorgUsGirls

What is Laughter Yoga?
Laughter Yoga is a unique exercise routine developed by Indian physician Dr. Madan Kataria and is a fast-growing international phenomenon. It combines laughter exercises with yogic breathing (Pranayama) which brings more oxygen to the body and brain, and a positive and deeply connecting experience without relying on jokes or humour. It is based on the scientific fact that the body cannot tell the difference between fake and real laughter, and reaps the benefits either way.

Why practice Laughter Yoga?
Laughter brings numerous social, emotional and physical benefits.
Scientific studies suggest that a ten minute full-blown belly-laugh is
enough to bring all the attendant health benefits into your life. Laughter:

• Improves brain function (increased oxygen throughout the body)
• Reduces pain (increase in natural pain killers: endorphins)
• Reduces stress (decrease in hormones cortisol and adrenaline)
• Alleviates depression (increase in beta-endorphins)
• Lowers blood pressure (tests show that during the session blood
  pressure increases. Afterwards, it drops below its starting level)
• Boosts the immune system (increase in human growth hormone
  which aids sleep and cellular repair)
• Increases positivity and mental wellbeing
• Increases emotional wellbeing and social connectivity

Laughter yoga sessions give a safe, nurturing and hilarious environment in which a laughter specialist facilitates people to enjoy a minimum of ten minutes full-blown laughter, followed by guided relaxation.

What happens in a Laughter Session?

A typical laughter session lasts for 45 minutes to an hour and starts with warm ups followed by laughter exercises in which participants are encouraged to cultivate playfulness and connection with one another, leading to real and contagious laughter. Exercises are interspersed with deep breathing. The session is skilfully choreographed to begin gently, raise the spontaneity, joy and energy into a free-flow laughter meditation, and finish with guided relaxation, grounding and reflection.

Laughter Yoga is open to all:
You do not need to have any yoga ability, a sense of humour, or to be anything other than yourself. All are warmly welcome!  See http://www.gorgetherapycentre.co.uk/laughter-yoga/