What is the basic principle behind Laughter Yoga?
This type of yoga is all about the breath! As laughter is a joyful expression of the breath where we extend our exhales, this brings more oxygen to the body and the brain which makes you feel more energetic and healthy. Laughter yoga is based on the concept that voluntary laughter provides similar physiological and psychological benefits as spontaneous laughter. We initiate intentional laughter as an exercise in a group using no humour, jokes or comedy, and, with eye contact and playfulness, it often turns into real and contagious laughter.
Where did Laughter Yoga begin?
It was started by a medical doctor, Dr. Madan Kataria, and his wife, a Yoga Teacher, Madhuri Kataria from India. The first Laughter Club they ran had only five people in a Mumbai Park in 1995. There are now thousands of free social Laughter Clubs all over the world.
What if I don't feel like laughing? Isn't "fake laughing" awkward?
Since most adults in the Western world have been conditioned to be serious, to be quiet, to stop laughing and listen (do you hear your parents or childhood teachers in those words?), it can stretch your comfort zone to begin. You can start by simply smiling and making eye contact with the group, if you wish. You can also make laughter sounds with your breath on your exhales. Your laughter is simply breathing with joyful sounds and there is no such thing as fake breathing. And, by choosing to make laughter sounds with your breath, you'll receive similar benefits that if you were laughing at something funny. With the contagiousness of laughter, you may end up laughing spontaneously as well! P.S., If you don't feel like laughing, that may be the best time to join a laughter session!
If you are a business, why do you offer free weekly sessions?
At Calgary Laughter Yoga, one of our main values is inclusivity. And very importantly, the Kataria's vision for Laughter Yoga is world peace through laughter and to have laughter be available and accessible to all people. Our Facilitators take turns volunteering to lead weekly sessions to ensure laughter is available at no cost to you, and it means we get the chance to laugh together each week. Win-win! The universal language of laughter breaks down barriers and reduces tension. By choosing to laugh intentionally, we bring peace within ourselves which will ripple out to our families, communities and the world.
I'd like to hire you for a private session. How much do you charge?
We have a variety of Facilitators with diverse levels of experience and can operate on a sliding scale which usually fits into your budget. As a ballpark, we typically charge $350 for a 50-minute corporate session and offer a discount of 50% to nonprofit organizations. If you are organizing a fundraiser, have a special cause you are supporting, or would like ongoing sessions, we would be happy to discuss the details with you and come up with something that fits your needs. We are a passionate group and are known to volunteer for great causes & events. And, we've got families and communities that we support so if you have a corporate group and everyone is paid to be there, we appreciate a fair and sustainable wage as well.
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour those who have come before us and acknowledge the traditional territories and oral practices of the Blackfoot (Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai), the Tsuut’ina (Sarcee), the Stoney Nakoda First Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.