A wildly fun and charismatic form of breathwork is sweeping the world by storm: Laughter Yoga.
This style delivers a fun twist on traditional yoga. It often confuses those who are used to the typical pose style of yoga, also known as Asana. Instead, this version of yoga uses the element of breath, which in yoga is known as Pranayama.
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What is Laughter Yoga?
In a standard session, the Laughter Yoga Leader (i.e. the facilitator) leads a group through a series of exercises, with the intention of utilizing one’s imagination and playfulness. Laughter creates an energetic breath, which helps to force air into the lower lobes of the lungs — thereby creating an effect of clearing out any stagnation that may have developed in the lungs through upper chest breathing.
Upper chest breathing is most commonly associated with stress, and is often the way we breathe daily.
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Laughter Yoga assists in forced deep breath through laughter, and helps to oxygenate our bodies.
How Does This Aid in Stress Relief?
Great question!
Within the 10-20 minutes of Laughter Yoga exercises performed, we are utilizing consistent breathwork through laughter. This method causes our bodies to release endorphins, which assists in feeling good.
Through the use of our deep breath in belly laughing, our vagus nerve is stimulated — thus causing our parasympathetic nervous system (otherwise known as rest and digest signal for our body) to turn on.
Allow me to show you below through my introduction. As with all things, it is better to feel the experience for ourselves.
AN INTRODUCTION TO LAUGHTER YOGA:
BRITTNEY HILLER
Brittney is the creator of the Effervescence Yoga brand and the owner of Effervescense Yoga Spa in the beautiful resort town of Beaufort, South Carolina. Brittney is passionate about leading a life full of laughter and joy! That is why she is also a certificated laughter yoga teacher & laughter yoga leadership trainer. She is also a Follow-Your-Passion Coach and the producer and head talent of Flowcountry, the Lowcountry’s only streaming yoga show!