Dr. Kataria’s Laughter Yoga Diary

It was the first time I visited Korea from 20 - 25 of March. I was alone on this tour as Madhuri was still recuperating from her accident. The people of Korea were eagerly awaiting my arrival. They were full of enthusiasm and excitement at the prospect of laughter seminars and workshops. Read more…

I was invited to Bali, Indonesia to hold Laughter Yoga workshops during the Bali Spirit Festival between 12th -15th of March, 2008. In my first laughter workshop, I met a young man Kadek who started the first laughter club in Bali six months ago. Read more…

We have visited Japan between the 1st and the 10th of March for a series of public seminars and laughter leadership training.

Our trip to the land of the ‘Rising Sun’ was a dream come true. For many years, I longed to go to Japan as I had heard several interesting and fascinating stories about the country. The workers in Japan began their day by doing some exercises and it was my vision to teach them Laughter Yoga and help them to incorporate it in their daily routine. Read more…

This story sketches the complete essence of laughter clubs and how they help people to deal with negative and challenging situations in real life. Laughter eases tension and tackles obstacles positively and cheerfully.

Last month the members of the ABC Laughter Club in Thane, Mumbai decided to arrange a picnic. Excited about the outing they set out with the entire paraphernalia looking forward to a great time.

But as luck would have it nothing turned out right as the day dawned. Peter’s Principle was at its best which states that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Firstly, members were late in assembling and there was utter chaos. To add to the confusion the bus had a flat tyre even before the journey began. People started pacing up and down in sheer disappointment.

The driver and his assistant got down to fix the flat tyre as fast as they could. It was a big job and some club members pitched in to help. The other club members surrounded them and started a laughter session. As they laughed together, tension seemed to disappear. People forgot the delay and started to laugh heartily.

Soon they were on their way feeling refreshed and recharged. Laughter helped them to cope with the state of distress.

On reaching the picnic spot all was forgotten and the members had a great time laughing and having fun together.

Creative laughter yoga teacher Jeffrey Briar of Laguna Laughter Club has announced the 1st “Laughter at Sea” cruise, from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Mexico departing October 12-15.

This fun and laughter filled vacation includes a morning Laughter Club At Sea, a Laughter-Go-Round (share new laughter exercises inspired by the day’s excursion in Ensenada), “Stress-Free in Seven Seconds” — laughter practices which catapult us quickly into joyfulness and freedom from worry and a “Grand Gibberish Reception”.
Jeffrey will also present his new multimedia presentation “The Birth, Care and Feeding of a Successful Laughter Club”.

Cruise on Royal Caribbean’s luxurious “Monarch of the Seas” cruise ship — in addition to the laughter yoga program activities include 24-hour fine dining, live stage show nightly, gym, spa, swimming pools, jacuzzis, rock climbing wall, basketball courts, dancing in several lounges, duty-free shopping, and a full casino.

The cost of the 3-day weekend, including laughter programs, meals, and three nights’ lodging is from $410 per person. Space is limited and prices will increase – quick registration is recommended.

For information contact the Jeffrey at Laguna Laughter Club phone/fax (949) 376-1939, or e-mail info@lyinstitute.org. Register for the cruise at www.connectiontocruise.com

For the past years I have received many requests from South African for laughter yoga.

Last month Madhuri and I finally set foot in Africa. This has been a dream of mine and I felt a feeling of accomplishment and happiness as we set foot on African soil for the first time in Johannesburg.

We conducted public seminars in Johannesburg and Pretoria and also a laughter leader training course in Johannesburg. South Africa is a beautiful country with warm welcoming people who love to laugh. The laughter energy at some of our sessions was memorable. I especially remember the great session at Yoga Connection where we met such wonderful people — thank you Carley, laughter-blaster Basho, Alan and all!

In Cape Town we were amazed at the great natural beauty of the city, mountains and sea. We ran a leader training course at Cape Town Medi Spa, a wonderful venue — thanks to owner Ian and his team for the great support and hospitality. The laughter energy at the Cape Town course was fantastic.

We have 50 new laughter leaders in South Africa and seeing how well people responded and how committed our leaders are I am confident that laughter yoga will spread very quickly. Already I have reports of sessions being held in Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg with plans for laughter yoga in yoga studios, hospitals, townships, orphanages, prisons, schools, offices, MS and cancer groups, an upmarket spa, major companies and more.

The press response was very good, with radio & tv sessions and coverage in major magazines including Longevity and Marie Claire. Special thanks to Janine of LaughSA, Kaz of Total Media, and Nikki of the UPliftment Program for their hard work in support of laughter yoga.

I love South Africa and will return soon.

There are a few more spaces open for our Kerala Teacher Training & Spiritual Retreat in beautiful Kerala in sought India next month.

We have people coming from all over the world, including Bill Gee from Malaysia — if you have time and would like to become a certified laughter yoga teacher and enjoy this powerful retreat please contact Raj at our office soon to book your space.

Love and laughter - Madan

After so many enquiries from Mexico and parts south I have decided to schedule our very first teacher training course in English and Spanish to be held in Cancun, Mexico 7-11 May 2007.

The 5-day course will be held in Spanish and English at a venue to be announced. We are looking for help in translation into Spanish of promotional articles and also for people who can provide local advice and assistance.

We hope to attract a full house from all over South and Central America so we can begin to spread the laughter. Please contact Bill Gee at lyspamfilter@gmail.com who speaks a little Espanol and Portugues.

Booking details at www.laughteryoga.org/2007-mexico.php.

In Bangalore I often come across ladies standing with their hands joined in front of a tree, or even bowed down touching her forehead on the ground.

Since childhood, I have seen people worshipping trees. They say prayers and make offerings, but I never understood the meaning behind it.  I am also aware of people who worship other aspects of nature like animals, rivers, and mountains. Read more…

The main reason I visited Singapore was to launch a new concept — the Laughter Party.

Read more…

On 4th November 2006 I arrived in Singapore at 7:30am and was met with laughter at the airport by Avi Liran, a laughter yoga teacher and his wife Ching. Read more…