"Yoga - the new age fitness mantra", but Yoga is not new age at all. It's just that the benefits of the same are being discovered again. Yoga is a way of life, an art of righteous living or an integrated system for the benefit of the body, mind and inner spirit. This art originated, was perfected and practiced in India thousands of years ago.
What could be best possible medicine than ‘ Laughter’! All over the world Laughter Yoga is becoming known and sought after. The fun and the health benefits are amazing, plus we all know that laughter just feels great! It's easy to lead, anyone can do it, all ages, and all walks of life. Laughter is nature's stressbuster. It lifts our spirits with a happy high that makes us feel good and improves our behavior towards others. Laughter therapy is gentle exercise. It fills your lungs and body with oxygen, deep-clears our breathing passages and exercises our lungs.
When we laugh our bodies release a cocktail of hormones & chemicals that have startling positive effects on our system. Stress is reduced, blood pressure drops, depression is lifted, and our immune system is boosted. This laughter practice moves progressively from the ho ho, ha ha exercise to other types of simulated laughter. It is called as 'laughter cocktail. This “cocktail" includes hearty laughter, greeting laughter, open-mouthed silent laughter, humming laughter, lion laughter (an adaptation of Lion Pose), and swinging laughter, with arm movement. Each laughter is sustained for up to 45 seconds, and followed with deep breathing and stretching exercises. Laughter exercises almost always lead to real laughter, especially when practiced in a group. Laughter yoga is one of the best stress management known so far.
Many people might be surprised to think of laughter as a form of meditation. Not only is laughing meditation one of the simplest forms of meditation, but also it is a very powerful one. The physical act of laughing is one of the few actions involving the body, emotions, and the soul. When we laugh, we give ourselves over to the immediacy of the present moment. Practiced in the morning, laughing meditation can lend a joyful quality to the entire day. Practiced in the evening, laughing meditation is a potent relaxant that has been known to inspire pleasant dreams. Laughter also can help open our eyes to previously unnoticed absurdities that can make life seem less serious.
There are many laughter clubs who uses laughter yoga and laughter therapy as a mode of stressbuster in New York. Laughter yoga in New York is based on one hour introduction of laughter therapy. This age old yogic principles helps in reducing anxiety and stress, burning upto 400 calories per hour. For more information on laughter yoga and laughter club logon to www.yogalaff.com.
