Ha Ha Yoga Or Hasya Yoga Or Laughter Yoga

Ha Ha Yoga Or Hasya Yoga Or Laughter Yoga

‘Hasya’ Yoga or ‘Thahaka’ Yoga or ‘Ha Ha’ Yoga or Laughter Yoga, also referred to as humor therapy, is the use of humor to promote overall health and wellness.

W H Davies had observed in 1911:

“What is this life full of care,

There is no time to stand and stare.”

If anything, the cares of life have only increased exponentially since then. We are overwhelmed with loneliness, frustration, anxiety, depression, insecurities in life, and all that seems to snatch away our reason to be happy, to smile or to laugh. We have forgotten how to be happy or to laugh!

Laughter needs no introduction. We all laugh. Some may laugh more than others, but it is a unanimous human trait. It feels good and brings people together. Laughter yoga involves prolonged voluntary laughter. It is based on the belief that voluntary laughter provides the same physiological and psychological benefits as spontaneous laughter. Laughter yoga is done in groups, with eye contact, jokes and playfulness between participants. Voluntary laughter soon turns into real and contagious laughter. 

Ha Ha Yoga or Hasya Yoga has a long history. In India, laughter has been one of the activities of the groups doing Yoga. In the 70’s and even much earlier, laughter yoga was practiced in the early mornings in open parks, primarily by groups of older people. Faking a loud laughter till you broke into a real, uncontrollable fit of laughter used to be an early morning ritual for many in India. Use of laughter in medicine also has a long history. Surgeons have been using humor to distract patients from pain from as early as the 13th century. Later, in the 20th century, scientists studied the effect of humor on physical wellness. In his 1979 book, “Anatomy of an Illness,” Norman Cousins described how watching comedies helped him recover. Dr Madan Kataria started his first formal Laughter Club in 1995 and popularized laughter.

Studies on laughter have revealed that episodes of laughter helped to reduce pain and decrease stress-related hormones in participants. Laughter therapy may also help improve quality of life for patients with chronic illnesses. Many hospitals now offer laughter therapy as a complementary treatment to illness.

How To Laugh

Lincoln once said, “I laugh because I do not want to cry.”

Our body does not know the difference between a false and a real laugh. Laugh is laugh. Neuro Linguistic Program theory says that if you laugh spontaneously on a joke or you do laughter in the form of an exercise, the same set of physiological changes occur in your body. There are many studies that positive chemicals are generated in our body even by an act of laugh, on the other hand many a times people fall sick after acting sadness. We believe in the theory “Fake it fake it till make it”. Laugh & laugh again until it converts in a real natural laugh & this is so easy.
Laughter yoga sessions may start with gentle warm-up techniques which include stretching, chanting, clapping, eye contact and body movement, to help break down inhibitions and encourage a sense of playfulness. Breathing exercises are used to prepare the lungs for laughter, followed by a series of ‘laughter exercises’ that combine the method of acting and visualization techniques with playfulness. Laughter exercises are interspersed with breathing exercises.

Benefits of Laughter
As the philosopher Bertrand Russell once said: “Laughter is the most inexpensive and most effective wonder drug. Laughter is a universal medicine.”

Laughter has multiple benefits. Over the years, researchers have tested its abilities against a range of medical conditions. Laughter lightens anger’s heavy load on the heart. A shared laughter is the best tool to diffuses anger and conflict. Looking at the funny side can put problems into a different perspective and enable you to move on from confrontations without holding onto bitterness or resentment. That helps!

Laughter is good for your health.

A good, hearty laugh relieves stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after. So, laughter relaxes the whole body. Also, laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphins – the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote a sense of well-being and can even relieve pain temporarily.

Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems. So, it protects the heart.

When you laugh, you burns calories. One study found that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn approximately 40 calories—which could be enough to lose three or four pounds over the course of a year.

A study in Norway found that people with a strong sense of humor outlived those who don’t laugh as much. The difference was particularly notable for those battling cancer.

Laughter adds joy and zest to life, eases anxiety and tension, relieves stress, improves mood and strengthens resilience. Laughter makes you feel good. And this positive feeling remains with you even after the laughter subsides. Humor helps you keep a positive, optimistic outlook through difficult situations, disappointments, and loss. Laughter gives you the courage and strength to find new sources of meaning and hope. Even in the most difficult of times, a laugh–or even simply a smile–can go a long way toward making you feel better. And laughter really is contagious—just hearing laughter primes your brain and readies you to smile and join in the fun.

Socially, laughter strengthens relationships, makes us more attractive, enhances teamwork, helps defuse conflict, promotes group bonding.

Laughter helps you relax and recharge. It reduces stress and increases energy, enabling you to stay focused and accomplish more.

We You are most welcome to  learn this routine and stay healthy.

These special classes are offered regularly, every week.

Here are required details of the classes:

• Time: On Thursdays: 6:30 PM – 7:20 PM
• Where: SAVY International Old South London Studio at 190 Wortley Road, Suite LL-2, London ON N6C 4Y7
• Formats: 1 Class every week
• Commitment: A commitment to complete the program without missing any class (except in an emergency). Missed classes will not be compensated in any way.
• Cost: It’s available under Basic Yoga program.  

Please check the exact schedule and time below.

The salient features of London Yoga Classes of SAVY Healing Yoga are:

• Comprehensive, authentic, world class teaching and knowledge-base in all aspects of Yoga
• Authentic Ashtanaga and Vinyasa Yoga training based on true, traditional Yoga from India
• Asanas, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dhyana, Kriyas. Chakras, Kundalini Awakening, Shatkarma, Marma, Mantra etc
• Clear, concise, to-the-point instruction and individualized care
• One of the most qualified, experienced, international faculty, well-trained in India with excellent teaching skills
• Yoga School with highest ranking of RYS 200/ RYS 300 – we train yoga teachers up to the highest rank
• Yoga Therapy services for all diseases available
• Wonderful, knowledgeable, stable, regular, supportive, warm, welcoming yoga community
• Unique, specialized yoga classes – Sukshma Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Deep Stretch Yoga, Yoga for Face, Meditation Classes, Sun and Moon Salutations, Pranayama etc
• Workshops on interesting Yoga topics from time to time
• Delve deep into the field of Yoga – Keep learning and sharing knowledge
• Suitable time of classes
• Small size of even group classes
• Small Class Yoga for smaller groups
• Private sessions also available
• Decent studio  and studio setting – enjoy the character and warmth of the Victorian heritage building
• Authentic Yoga at reasonable rates

Sign up today and live life to your full potential.

Call or email for any inquiries.

To delve deeper into this important topic in Yoga, please also check different courses at SAVY. 

 

Dr Jitender K Sahdev

President and Director of Teaching

Please contact us to learn more about Yoga. We would love to hear any suggestions or comments that you might have. Space is limited in courses and participation will be on a first-come-first-served basis. So, respond early to participate in this exciting, life-transforming Yoga experience. 

Note : You should check with your health care professional before starting this or any new exercise program or breathing routine. This is especially important if you have any pre-existing health conditions, such as high blood pressure, migraines or heart or lung ailments. Women who are pregnant or think they might be pregnant should consult their physician before performing any of the breathing or physical exercises.

The information contained in the program is not intended to serve as a replacement for professional medical advice. Any use of the information in these programs/ workshops is at the reader’s discretion, risk and responsibility. The studio, author and the publisher specifically disclaim any and all liability arising directly or indirectly from the use or application of any information contained herein. A health care professional should be consulted regarding your specific situation.

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