Issue 11 April 2011
Quantum doesn’t want more joy in their life?
But Laughter Yoga also took its toll on Dr. Kataria. To launch his yoga movement, Dr. Kataria travelled extensively to help others start their own clubs. As word spread, he became a sought after speaker by corporations large and small. Eventually, the hectic pace and hard work took its toll, and Dr. Kataria became overly stressed. He realised he wasn’t laughing much. One morning at five o’clock he rose, went to his study and spent several minutes silently laughing so as not to wake the household–Laughter Yoga Alone was born. Perfect for the grump who doesn’t want to leave home or deal with a crowd to get happy!
The Serious Side of Laughter In addition to lifting your mood, there are serious positive health benefits from laughing. Laughter is a natural way to counter stress, and medical science has shown that stress is the precursor to many diseases and psychological problems. Researchers have found that laugher, like exercise, triggers the release of biochemicals called endorphins, which are our body’s feel- good hormones. Laughter Yoga is like dropping a happy pill, stoking this endorphin release and lowering stress levels. What’s more, research posted on Kataria’s website, Laughter Yoga International (
www.laughteryoga.org), reveals
• Promotes a healthy respiratory system by bringing more oxygen to the body and brain
• Massages the digestive tract and deep lymphatic system
• Re-energises the body
• Helps to detoxify the body by removing stale oxygen in your lungs
Mental Health Benefits • Adds joy and zest to life by fostering positive mood and feelings
• Eases anxiety and fear
• Relieves stress and enhances sense of relaxation
www.quantumhealthmagazine.com
that laughing lowers blood pressure, lessens pain, lifts feelings of depression and anxiety, reduces the symptoms of chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis, and can help regulate blood sugar levels in diabetics as well as reduce their need for medication. Laughing can even be an aid in weight loss: you burn about 50 calories for every ten to fifteen minutes of hearty laughter.
A team of researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, in Baltimore, led by Michael Miller, MD, found that laughter improves the healthy functioning of blood vessels. Miller says, “The ability to laugh either naturally or as learned behavior may have important implications in societies such as the U.S. where heart disease remains the number one killer.” One of the ways laughter might improve heart function is by increasing blood flow through the arteries. In addition, Dr. William Fry of Stanford University found that hearty laughter is a good cardio workout: just ten minutes of belly laughing is equal to 30 minutes on the rowing machine (and a whole lot more fun!).
While the general population has embraced Laughter Yoga, Dr. Kataria has shared it with cancer patients during chemotherapy, the blind and the deaf, prisoners, support groups including Parkinson’s sufferers, multiple sclerosis patients,
• Serves as a natural antidepressant by facilitating the release of “feel-good” hormones
• Enhances resilience and coping
Social Benefits • Strengthens relationships • Attracts others to us • Reduces feelings of self-consciousness
• Enhances teamwork and promotes group bonding
• Helps defuse conflict and feelings of judgment and criticism
• Fosters feeling of oneness and unity Quantum Health 33
HEALTH
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