Laughter or laughing yoga is an excellent practice for anyone looking to put a smile on their face and improve mental health in the meantime.
The burst of laughter you experience during laughter yoga is surprising, and adults and kids can participate in laughter yoga exercises anytime, indoors or outdoors.
But how do you laugh when you don’t feel like laughing? How do you burst into a fit of giggles when nothing seems funny? This is where laughing yoga comes in – with the intent to cause laughter without external stimulation. All you have to do is open your mouth and let out the air you breathe. It sounds silly. But it works. And you can successfully achieve it in your home.
Easy laughing yoga exercises
So many laughter yoga exercises exist; it’s impossible to perform them all. Some are standard for all participants, while others are group-specific, like those for seniors, kids, the sick, adults, etc. Unlike other yoga practices that last for a long time, laughter yoga doesn’t take more than an hour. You can do it in 10 minutes and still get the desired results. Some of these laughter yoga movements include;
Learn the 6 ways Laughter can improve Children's Wellbeing
Imaginary laughter yoga call
Imagine you have received a call. Pick it up, start a conversation audibly or in your head, then start laughing while you’re at it. The laugh will be fake to begin with, but keep doing it until it becomes something real. Because it will.
Hearty laughter
This involves a couple of steps that help stimulate laughter that relieves stress and promotes relaxation. Begin by standing up straight, inhale and spread your arms up and wide. Then laugh profoundly and passionately for a few minutes. Repeat the process.
Gradient laughter
Laughter yoga is the perfect sitting or standing exercise. It exercises your lung and stomach muscles, allowing them to relax. Start by smiling, then giggle, then proceed to a full-blown laugh. You’ll be surprised at how it makes you feel.
The ear wiggle
This exercise requires good flexibility or range of motion. Lift your left hand along the left ear, bring it over your head and try reaching your right ear. Once there, place your finger inside, wiggle, and laugh.
Learn the 6 ways Laughter can improve Children's Wellbeing
Back pain laughter
Laughter yoga helps with flexibility. Begin by bending forward to reach your toes. Then, put your hand on your back, and act like it’s challenging to get up while laughing your heart out.
Conductor movement
Pretend to direct a choir and move your arms from one side to another. While at it, make sounds like “ha ha ha” or “ho ho ho.”
Humming laughter exercise
Laughter yoga helps exercise the chest muscles. With your mouth closed, make a humming sound or laugh and repeat over and over as much as you like.
Electric shock laughter
Pretend that everything you touch gives you an electric shock. Touch things and jump backward while laughing around for some minutes.
Chicken laughter
Act like a chicken by flapping your wings (arms) while running around laughing. Trust us, you’ll love it once you get into it!
Lion laughter
This movement is a favourite for kids (but adults love it too!). Thrust your tongue out and widen your eyes. Then, stretch your hands out like claws while laughing.
Silent laughter
Open your mouth and laugh while making funny gestures without making any sound.
Credit card bill laughter
For this laughter yoga exercise, open an imaginary bill or letter to symbolise bad news, then laugh out loud when you peek inside.
“I don’t know why I’m laughing” laughter
Look at yourself in the mirror and begin laughing while shrugging your shoulders.
Final words
Laughter yoga exercises are vital for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Most people do these activities in groups, but you can do them from home. There are many laughter yoga activities that are suitable for almost everyone.
Most of these exercises last 10 minutes or less, so what’s the reason not to give them a try?
