Voice 1
Thank you for joining us for today’s Spotlight program. I’m Liz Waid.
Voice 2
And I’m Ryan Geertsma. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
What are these people laughing at? They are not laughing at a joke. They are not laughing at a funny play or television program. Instead, they are laughing for exercise! And they are not alone. In fact, this form of exercise is becoming more and more popular every day! Today’s Spotlight is on this interesting form of exercise - Laughter Yoga.
Voice 2
Laughter Yoga is based on traditional forms of Yoga. Yoga is a method for bringing strength and calm to a person’s mind and body. It is an ancient form of meditation, or self examination. People use breathing to try to calm and control their minds.
Voice 1
But yoga is also a form of strength exercise. People doing yoga smoothly move their bodies into exact positions. Holding these positions requires strength. This also helps people to calm and control their minds.
Voice 2
Laughter Yoga comes from these same ideas. Laughter Yoga uses breathing exercises and laughter to strengthen the mind and body. For example, people doing laughter yoga perform simple laughter exercises together in a group. While they are laughing, they concentrate on breathing in a particular way. They also move and stretch their bodies.
Voice 1
Doctor Madan Kataria invented Laughter Yoga. He is a doctor in Mumbai, India. Doctor Kataria believed that people had forgotten how to really laugh. For a long time, he researched laughter. Through his research he made an interesting discovery. The human mind does not know the difference between forced laughter and real laughter. Forced laughter can lead to a feeling of happiness.
Voice 2
And then Doctor Kataria had the idea for a group of people who would laugh together. The laughter could improve people’s lives. Doctor Kataria gathered a few of his friends together. They met in a public park in Mumbai. Doctor Kataria says:
Voice 3
“I told [my friends], this is not a laughing matter. [It is not something silly.] It is a very serious thing that we have forgotten to laugh. Let us do laughter as a sort of exercise.”
Voice 1
That small group grew and grew! And this is how people do Laughter Yoga today. People doing Laughter Yoga usually meet together in a Laughter Club. Doctor Kataria’s friends formed the first Laughter Club. This was in 1995.
Voice 2
Today, over five thousand [5,000] laughter clubs exist. And these laughter clubs meet in fifty three [53] countries. Anyone can join a laughter club. And it is usually free!
Voice 1
But what exactly do people do at a Laughter Club? People in Laughter Yoga meetings usually perform a series of exercises. They say these exercises are physically useful. But they are also simple and gentle. The exercises include body movement, correct breathing, and of course, laughter! At the beginning of the meeting, people may have to force themselves to laugh. But by the end, everyone is usually laughing in a real way! Each meeting is a little different. But there are common exercises groups may do.
Voice 2
For example, one Laughter Yoga exercise includes clapping and laughing at the same time. Laughter Yoga Clubs often begin their meetings with this exercise. The people clap with their hands in a set rhythm. The goal in this clapping is to fully touch one hand with the other. So, each finger on one hand fully touches the other finger on the other. And the palms of both hands come completely together. This makes a soft clapping sound.
Voice 1
At the same time people clap, they say ‘laughing words’ like “ho ho ha ha ha.” These words sound like a person laughing. But there is a particular way to do this. The mouth is half open. And the sound should feel as if it is coming from near the stomach. While making these sounds the person smiles. Members move around the space during this exercise. They look into the eyes of the other people in the meeting. These movements help to build good energy levels in the meeting.
Voice 2
Laughter Yoga experts say that this beginning exercise produces real physical effects on the body. The exercises help blood to move around the body faster. This makes a person feel better. It also builds energy levels.
Voice 1
Doctor Kataria claims that laughter is actually a very good form of exercise. He claims that it helps to improve the immune system. This is the system in a person’s body that fights infection. He also claims that Laughter Yoga can lower blood pressure and help lift depression.
Voice 2
Laughter Yoga experts say that Laughter Yoga helps people deal with the bad things in their lives. They say that a person may go into a Laughter Yoga Club meeting feeling sad, angry, worried, or depressed. But then, during the meetings, people act happy. The experts say that acting happy like this can lead a person to really feel happier. After a time, forced laughter becomes real laughter.
Voice 1
And everyone can laugh. Laughter Yoga experts explain that laughter crosses all barriers. It does not matter how old you are or what sex you are. It does not matter where you are from, what language you speak, or what religion you believe in. It does not matter what abilities or political beliefs you have. Every person can laugh! And laughter is good for every person!
Voice 2
Laughter is an important part of life. And being happy is an important part of life. Science shows that even forced laughter can lead to a feeling of happiness. This is one reason why people may enjoy Laughter Yoga so much! But can Laughter Yoga bring a person true happiness and joy?
Voice 1
Christians also believe that happiness and joy are important. They believe that true happiness and joy come from God. The Christian Bible says:
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“The Lord has done great things for us.
And we are filled with joy.”
Psalm 126:3
Voice 1
Are you filled with laughter and joy?
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