There’s nothing better than having a good laugh. It can make you feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Best of all, it’s free! The University of Maryland Medical Center even declared that laughter is the perfect way to protect your heart.1
That’s why the laughter yoga exercise, or the Hasyayoga, exists. It encourages voluntary laughter that’s believed to be beneficial, just like random laughter. And like other types of yoga, deep breathing is the main focus. This promotes blood flow to the brain, giving you all the benefits of yoga and exercise.
Laughter therapy is also known as humor therapy. Activities are best done in groups or with at least one other person. To try it yourself, check out this list of seven laughter yoga exercises.
7 Laughter Therapy Exercises To Boost Your Health
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1. Clap And Chant
Clapping and chanting is a common way to start laughter therapy exercises. It’s an easy way to warm up and get yourself in the moment. You’ll also get a boost of energy.
To begin, clap with an even rhythm. It may help to count “1, 2” in your head. Once you have a good flow going, chant in coordination with your claps.
Focus on words inspired by laughing. For example, chant “HA-HA-HA” while breathing from your belly. You should be able to hear your breath with each “HA.” Other chants include “HO-HO-HO” and “HE-HE-HE.”
If you’d like, swing your arms with each clap. This simple exercise will get you in the mood for more laughter therapy activities.
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2. Greeting Laughter
While practicing humor therapy with another person or in a class, try the greeting laughter method. It’s a great way to feed off each other’s happiness.
To do it, greet everyone with laughter instead of words. This can include hugs and handshakes. But instead of saying “Nice to meet you” or “Hello,” laugh instead.
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3. Deep Belly Laughing
Like other types of yoga, inhaling and exhaling is a big part of laughter yoga exercises. You can practice deep belly laughing by letting out full, booming laughs. Your diaphragm should be involved with each laugh.
To ensure that your diaphragm is being used, put your hand below your ribs. Every time you laugh, you should feel it expand and contract.
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4. Gradient Laughter
This laughter exercise is another way to build up energy. Smile faintly, then giggle. Next, chuckle as if you overheard something funny. Continue laughing, slowly increasing the volume and heartiness. End with full, loud belly laughs.
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5. Celebration Laughter
Think of things that are worth celebrating. It can be anything from snow days to birthday parties.
If you’re alone, laugh in response to that exciting thought. Your body movements should reflect how you’d act in the moment. If you’re with other people, laugh while giving each other high fives. You can also cheer, shout “hooray,” or jump up and down.
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6. Emotional Laughter
Did you know that laughter therapy isn’t just about happiness? Emotional laughter exercises make you embrace other feelings.
For example, you can do angry laughter or scared laughter. It’s a great way to remember that even negative emotions have a silver lining.
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7. Baby Laughter
Laughter and humor therapy activities are all about being silly. For the baby laughter exercise, you’ll have to laugh as if you were a baby. Gurgling and squealing are encouraged.
For adults, this will really loosen up the tension. It’s also one of the best laughter yoga exercises for seniors! They’ll get a kick out of pretending that they’re young again.
Don’t forget to breathe. Inhaling and exhaling is so important. Laughter yoga depends on deep, full breaths in order have the best effect.
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