What is Laughter Yoga?
Laughter Yoga is the unique, uplifting practice of prolonged voluntary laughter that is akin to internal jogging. Done in groups, we begin with laughter exercises, and incorporate the deep breathing of yoga, Then we add a dose of playfulness and it quickly becomes real contagious laughter as participants are guided to fake it til they make it. It is not yoga poses and one does not need to be funny, flexible, nor in a good mood to enjoy it and reap the benefits. It is very simple and suitable for all ages and abilities, You can even participate in a chair!
Benefits
Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, conflict, and chronic pain, which are all abundant in today’s society. Nothing works faster to bring your body and mind back into balance than a good laugh.
We continue to learn more each day about the power of laughter to heal; physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Laughter is your birthright, people grow up, get serious, and forget that. Children tend to laugh 300 or more times a day and adults often as little as 10-20 times a day. Laughter yoga is an amazing transformational exercise. Our bodies and minds respond to laughter in positively healing ways. Why else would it be called the best medicine?
Science shows that 10-15 minutes of continuous laughter
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Lowers blood pressure
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Boosts immune systems
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Improves blood sugar control
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Decreases pain, reduces cortisol and boosts endorphins
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Improves blood flow and heart health
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Reduces inflammation
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Enhances social connections
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Disrupts negativity and promotes happier mood
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Boosts relaxation response and improves sleep
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Alleviates stress, depression and anxiety
It all started in 1995, when a doctor and his yogi wife developed laughter yoga which is a blend of yogic deep breathing, stretching, and laughter exercises meant to induce child-like play. The popularity of laughter yoga has continued to grow and now there are laughter clubs in over 100 countries
Bio
Joan Castellano works with people to bring more joy and happiness into their lives, several laughs at a time. She is a certified Laughter Yoga Leader (CLYL) and Teacher (CLYT). She is CPR certified, insured and has a Master’s in Higher Education Administration from Columbia University, Teachers College. Joan became interested in laughter as exercise, when she remembered how laughing allows one to take one self less seriously and to find her joyful, happy, playful side that she began to lose as she aged. She found her passion and calling to lead and teach laughter yoga when she was asked in 2013 by a life coach “What makes your heart sing?” Right after she completed her training, miracles started happening in her life, including finding the love of her life and marrying him at 49 years old! She shares her successes and her struggles with others to help them see what is possible through a light-hearted and generous approach to life.
She lives in Essex County, New Jersey with her husband (who is also a trained CLYL) and her dog. When she is not hosting laughter yoga seminars, she is an Adjunct Lecturer at Community College teaching English & Humanities.
