For the most up-to-date information on upcoming events, trainings, videos, media etc. please check out my dedicated web site, Portland Laughter Yoga www.portlandlaughteryoga.com 

Laughter Yoga

Laughter Yoga is a unique new physical activity where anyone can learn to laugh for no reason at all! It is a perfect blend of playful and energizing laughter exercises. These laughter exercises are interspersed with gentle yogic breathing and stretching exercises, rhythmic clapping and chanting of Ho Ho Ha Ha Ha in unison.

Laughter Yoga is fun & easy! Anyone can learn to laugh for 15-20 minutes without a sense of humor, jokes or comedy. In Laughter Yoga we use laughter as a tool, not an emotion. Through group activity and eye contact simulated laughter exercises quickly become real, contagious and enthusiastic laughter.

Watch this video as an example. Here I am doing laughter exercises with my fellow laughers during our Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher training with Dr. Kataria.


We laugh as a way to improve health, increase well-being, and promote peace in the world through personal transformation. Exercises are can be adapted to suit the needs and abilities of the group participating. Laughter Yoga can even be done sitting down for senoirs or differently abled persons. The soft chuckle of a 99 year old man is as efficient to that person as the belly rippling laughter of a 20 year old.

If the surrounding allow it, in the second half of laughter yoga we do what is called “laughter meditation”. The group members sit or lay on the floor (or on a chair if needed) in silence for few minutes and then start faking laughter until it flows spontaneously. Deep, pure laughter naturally happens without the need for comedy or jokes, especially after warming up our laughter muscles & diaphragm with laughter exercises. In this final stage of laughter meditation participants just can’t help laughing!

To learn even more about Laughter Yoga check out my latest interview on Blog Talk Radio around Laughter as the Best Medicine!

Laughter Yoga for Your Organization

I currently offer various presentations on Laughter Yoga for corporations, senior centers, churches, schools and other organizations. I can present a talk on the benefits of laughter, followed by a brief session or I can simply lead your group in a session! It is an energizing team building exercise or ice-breaker during training and conferences and can be done in anywhere between 10 minutes to a full hour. Mini-sessions are a wonderful after-lunch-pick-me-up! I can also train your employees or members to be Certified Laughter Yoga Leaders™ if you wish to carry on with your own on-site Laughter Club.

Laughter Yoga has many benefits beside the joy of laughter. It strengthens the immune system, combats negative effects of stress, and is a powerful antidote to depression and anxiety. It can alleviate high blood pressure and asthma and increase tolerance to pain. Due to these reasons and more it can even help reduce absenteeism and the rising cost of health care! In addition, it improves people’s sense of humor, self confidence and communications skills. Contact me for more information on the science behind laughter or to schedule a consultation to learn how this can meet your organization's needs! You can also find more information on my dedicated Laughter Yoga website Portland Laughter Yoga.

Testimonials

"Andréa's demonstration of Laughter Yoga was so engaging and fun, I didn't want the lesson to end. I appreciate the health benefits laughter and yoga are proven to provide and Andre'a is a warm, kind and caring coach. I recommend Laughter Yoga and Andréa as a personal coach to any individual seeking a healthier path." ~ Brenda, R.N.

"Laughter is such good medicine!  I was sold the first time I tried laughter yoga.  It is so much fun and all those belly laughs really give the stomach a workout.  The best natural high!"  ~ Teri, Birthday Celebration

"Meanwhile watch this five minute video from the Discovery Channel on Laughter Yoga.

Laughter Yoga for Events or Special Occasions

Laughter Yoga is also perfect for events or special occasions.  It can be used as an ice-breaker or a break during special events or promotional events. It can also be the focus of a birthday or anniversary celebration. Contact me for more information about how Laughter Yoga can make your next event or party even more memorable!

Laughter Clubs

The unique concept of Laughter Yoga began in 1995 by Dr. Madan Kataria, a physician in Mumbai, India. Realizing that laughter truly can be "the best medicine," he started working with a small group of people and discovered that anyone can laugh for no reason. It has since grown into a world wide movement with more than 6,000 clubs in over 60 countries. Almost all of which are free!!

Led by a Certified Laughter Yoga Leaders™, members  take part in activities that combine laughter exercises (simulated laughter) and yoga breathing, which turns into real laughter when practiced in a group. Participation in a laughter club encourages playfulness, laughter, social connection, and a balance of mind, body, and spirit.

Awakenings Laughter Club

When:

Tuesday Mornings beginning 10/14/08 @ 7:10 am - 7:40 am

Where:

Awakenings Wellness Center

1016 SE 12th Ave. Portland, OR 

Why?
Because it's fun, good for your health and builds community!

Laughter Yoga on the Phone

So you can't make the Awakenings Laughter Club? No problem! Now you can call into a bridge line and laugh with others 24/7. First started by life coach & Laughter Yoga Teacher Gaga Barnes, there at least eleven live call times available each day, 365 days a year! Each call lasts for 20 minutes (unless otherwise noted on their site). The calls are recorded, so even if you can't make one of the live call you have no excuse. You can call any time and laugh along! For details on the current call schedule & recordings (every time I look another live session has been added. I can't keep up!) visit Gaga and Khevin Barnes' website.