Avi Liran (Singapore)
avi@ha-p.com

The Masters, Dr. Madan Kataria and his amazing wife Madhuri "Walks the Talk". I had been with Dr. Kataria in one of the most unpleasant moments of life, when Madhuri was injured in almost fatal accident in Singapore. He was vital and positive, had put all his energy to ensure that the doctors do the needed to save Madhuri life and meditated to help her with his good intentions. Accepting karma and making the bad experience into a resolution to take the event as a wake-up call to spend more time with Madhuri and love her more. Dr. Kataria tried to make her laugh when it was safe and encouraged her to laugh to use the lungs. Madhuri is one of the kindest persons. She was trying her best to smile and laugh at worst of times. You can be assured that the Masters are drinking their own medicine. Amazing Gurus to learn from.

Marguerite Baca (USA)
margueriteaville2003@yahoo.com

A week of Laughter Yoga training at Harbin Hot Springs in California was a wonderful preventative to the stress of an interview. I had the best interview of my life after learning to laugh with the greatest teacher, Dr. Kataria. My fellow students and now Laughter Yoga trainers were very instrumental to my wonderful interview. I thank Dr. Kataria, my sister and Yoga Teacher, Tonianne Baca-Green, Jeffrey and Kathy from Laguna Beach and all the other wonderful friends I met from all over the world! Thank you all! Marguerite A. Joy Baca

LUTHER & SUSAN LUDWIG (USA)
luthersusan@bellsouth.net

Like many people, when the days become dark and long, I tend to be gloomy and depressed. The laughter yoga training last Oct. 2007 which has lead to 2 laughter club meetings a week, has made this winter go by so much happier. I haven't had a cold--our whole club has experinced fewer colds than usual. Thank you Dr. Kataria, for creating such a powerful, easy to do tool for boosting our immune systems.

Patricia Darcy (USA)
Patty_TJ@laughteryogaflorida.org

My adult son TJ lives with severe, long-term developmental disabilities, and as his Mother, I also serve as TJ's caregiver, advocate and legal guardian. My Mother, who turns 90 in 2008, is also very involved in our lives, so the term that's used for me is --- sandwich generation! Family care needs have precluded many opportunities for community inclusion. I kept praying, asking for a healthy, happy way in which I could honestly reach out into the community while including both my mother and son in the process. Laughter Yoga is the inspired answer to my prayers! TJ and my Mother both join me at our laughter yoga clubs in Clearwater and Largo, FL. We serve as authentic models for the healthgiving joys inherent in the practice of laughter exercises in combination with yogic breathing techniques. Truly, Laughter Yoga is for everyone, and our lives are transformed by giving and receiving its benefits! Please check us out on www.laughteryogaflorida.org/Patty_TJ.htm

Angela Mason (USA)
mason.wa@gmail.com

Laughter has changed me. I am more vibrant, healthy and happy. My goal to share this experience has taken me places and have met many people through Laughter Yoga. This Fall semester, I am teaching Healthy Living:Laughter Yoga to the seniors through the community college and have been asked to return again with the same program for the Spring Semester at 3 other facilities. Also have been approached by the University. (We'll see where it goes from there). Yes, I am having FUN, my students look forward to coming to class each week, by the way, ages 60+ through 84 years of age. On December 15, we have a field trip planned and are taking Laughter Yoga to a Senior Assisted Living Facility as a class project to share with the residents. We are excited! I will keep you posted.

LG Kimmel (USA)
PerfectSolutions4Wellness@gmail.com

Laughter is not a bad beginning for a friendship, and it is the best ending for one. Henry Ward Beecher Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don't remember me at all. Laura I. Wilder Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on. Bob Newhart Perhaps I know why it is man alone who laughs: He alone suffers so deeply that he had to invent laughter. Friedrich Nietzsche -------------- I didn't know how to about posting these so I'm sending them this way. Use as many as you like. I'm sorry if I am sending them the wrong way. HO HO hahaha

Mike Chen (Taiwan)
mikemaphic@yahoo.com.tw

since my older brother John Chen trained by Madan in swiss 3years ago.i keep doing LY for 3years.and,we are pioneer here in Taiwan.until now we have maybe 8 clubs open weekly or daily.we are making history.

Heidi Heyns (USA)
vocebella@gmail.com

not only do we live in a Post-9-11 world but here in South Louisiana and Mississippi we live in a Post-Katrina world, to add to the stresses the rest of the World has had to face... ...In much the same way as the survivors of the other devastating natural and man-made catastrophes around the World. And LaughterYoga has taught me that nothing NOTHING has to be SO HEAVY that it knocks me out for days at a time! NOTHING should be big enough that I give up my power to it! LAughter has given me back my personal power to HANDLE the things that confront me on a normal basis...there is nothing that I cannot face with an easier heart now, Thanks to Laughter Yoga! I even have shown so much of this change to my world of friends that this animated gif was created to represent me!

Helen Mucus (New Zealand)
helen_mucus@hotmail.com

When I first was invited to attend a Laughter Yogo class thru the school I work with, I thought, "sounds odd, but I will give it a go". At first it was kinda strange, this grown man (trainer) was being really silly like a big kid and was wanting 'us' (group) to do the same silly things back to people we either had never met or even done such silly things in front of school staff peers every before... I put myself right out there and just went for it. What started at the beginning with abit of forced laughter, ending with me being totally out of control with laughting... Crying laughter infact. I just could not stop myself laughing which made others laugh harder too. I loved it and would encourage everyone to have a go at this. Its odd yes, but only at the beginning, but its just too good a feeling to only do it once too. Have a go!!! its just soooo uplifting and such wonderful fuel for the soul.

Dianne Theil McNinch (USA)
diannemcninch@verizon.net

Ten Years ago I was diagnosed with Clinical Depression, by using LY, in just 6 weeks I no longer need Wellbutrin, Prozac 40, Ambien....I am still using Prozac 20, and Laughter Yoga daily......I feel great, have focused energy ....thank you Dr. K and Jeffrey , I am now a CLYT...

m.r.deshmukh (India)
d_madhukar@hotmail.com

basically beingfrom pune,india the conceptof the yoga of dr.madan kataria &thanks to mr. vitthal kate who had formed over 100 laughter clubs in tne city there r about 10,000 seniors in the city had ben benifitted by this laughter yoga in keeping them fit & healthly. thank you.i have been operated on heart 4years back but theyoga had put me better health.

Bashir (India)
shah.bashir@gmail.com

During my school days i would have lot of pressure regarding my studies , i would be always in mental pressure how would i coup the other students in class , but once i saw a old man laughing a lot, i thought he might be mental person, i asked why are you laughing he told me laugh as much as you can, that will make you feel better So i did the same as old man said, and it really worked so the saying "Laughter is the best medicine "

Bhaskar R. Chavan (India)
bhaskarbrc@yahoo.com

I got retired in 1st July 2004. Last 15 years I used to go for morning walk rgurelarly but even then I was not feeling comfortable or happy due to depression i fell sick, all the time I was worrying for nothing.I had everything except happyness. One day I saw group of people laughing HA HA HO HO on Colllege ground Jogeshwari I just entered the croud. Session was over. It was amazing experience,from next morning I became regular member of laughter Yoga.Which has changed my life style full of energy and happyness. Thanks to laugher yoga and the founder Dr. Madan Kataria. (Many happy movements I want to share with you but due to short of space I want to make it short and sweet) thanks once again. B.R. Chavan

Rick Hauser (USA)
info@laughteryogachicago.com

I recently held three different Laughter Yoga Sessions for seniors in senior centers in the Chicago area (January 2007). A Northwest Community Hospital nurse took their blood pressure readings before and after. Systolic pressure decreased by 10 and the diastolic pressure - by 5 - for every senior - in every center! It was a testament to the benefits of Laughter Yoga. Our site is at www.laughteryogachicago.com for more information....

TJ Sethi (USA)
rgvhappinessclub@gmail.com

We had the first meeting of RGV Happiness Club, we were seven members and two representative of the local newspaper, we are expecting our story to be out in the next few days. To the best of our knowledge we are the first laughter club in Texas. Most of us had a wonderful sense of deep relaxation and a uniquely uplifting experience. Since I did not get a chance to talk to everyone I cannot say that all of us were impressed, though I suspect as much.

Jan MacQuarrie (Canada)
jan@aplacetwobe.com

have had my abdominal surgery and have three incisions,. I made the most of what I had learned in the laughter movement ! AND HAD FUN DOING IT ! I blew up balloons for two weeks ahead to strengthen my lungs and abdomen- and practiced laughing. For an hour and a half before surgery I laughed in the prep room. with ho, ho's and very goods ! . I asked for my own music to be played during surgery and asked the surgeon, anaesthetist and two O.R. nurses to laugh along with me while I went 'under - which they did. I also wrote funny notes on my gown ahead to keep the atmosphere light - like 'made from scratch - another makeover - another scratch"- and 'for awhile we are journeying together so one of us must stay awake" " I like to keep abreast of things - do not remove "! David said I woke up with a smile on my face ! I was in the hospital for 24 more hours - no pain killers. Day 2 stayed quiet at home, Day 3 went to buy a new computer - Day 5 rode a horse if slowly ! Most useful things - To know I was sore not ill - people often mistake the two - made a lot of difference. Breathing deeply before and after. Laughing all through with the ho's ho's and very goods - all added different components Stretching exercises two days later increasing stretch gradually each day - by Day 4 I was doing the same as before I had surgery but slower. Laughing even when I move and it is sore ! Warmly - Jan MacQuarrie

Rosemary Kelly (Canada)
healthymoves@rosemarykelly.ca

I had the privilege of witnessing my dear friend, Sue Ansari’s wonderful Laughter Yoga life transformation over the past several months and I very much enjoyed being part of her first ever LY training in Michigan. As a Jill of many trades and a person on the move, I have no plan to begin a LY club in a fixed place any time soon. I will add the philosophy and teaching into my own work with Cancer and Lymphedema patients & into everything I do pointing everyone to this worldwide website!! As someone who is frequently identified as “the one who is always smiling” I am grateful to Sue and Dr & Mrs Kataria for sharing this joyful technique to enable us to help everyone keep “le sourire aux lèvres”. My one ambition is to create a happy polite "Laughter Yoga Singles Club " for people of all sexual persuasions who aspire to being part of the club for as short a time as possible!! Any interest? Hugs & Smiles, Rosieheeheeheehee

Teresa Verde (USA)
onethousandlaughs@yahoo.com

Starting around my 40th birthday, which just happened to be March 13th, 1995, my health began to collapse and I found myself in a place of chronic fatique and post-tramatic stress for about 6 years, until I discovered Laughter Clubs. Almost immediately I began my own club in the fall of 2001, got trained as a laughter leader in the spring of 2002 (forgive me for putting the cart before the horse) and have experienced my health and stamina slowly and steadily improve more and more over the years. When I was too exhausted to lead a laughter session or workshop, I quickly learned to push and do it anyway. Miraculously I would become more energized for days after the session. It has now been 5 years that I have been in this wonderful business of laughter. Not only is my health far less of an issue, my entire life has turned around. I have a life partner, more self-confidence, have gone from being an introvert to a public speaker, and have a calling to use what has always been my greatest gift - my laugh.

Vishwa & Indu Bhargava (USA)
vishwa-indu@comcast.net

My wife and I are natives of India and have been in the US since 1970. It was in the year 1995 that we read about Dr. Madan Kataria's work in ABC News and World Report Magazine. Intrigued by his innovation of laughter clubs we started to track him down and very much desired to meet him and learn about laughter clubs. During one of our periodic visits to India, we went to Mumbai and mentioned to our family elder, the late Mr. J.K. Kapur our curiosity regarding laughter clubs. As chance would have it, he w as already a part of Dr. Kataria's budding organization. Dr. Kataria was away so we could not see him. It was in the year 2002 that Dr. Kataria and his lovely wife Madhuri came to Florida. This is where we had the privilege of meeting them and got coached in Hasya Yoga. Since then we have been active in practicing it and have been conducting laughter sessions as part of Virginia Laughter Lovers Club. Besides bimonthly regular sessions, we have made presentations about Dr. Kataria's work on laughter, its benefits, and conducted experiential laughter exercises at businesses, churches, community fairs, clubs and schools. Our audiences have consisted of people of all ages, genders, ethnicity, religions, political bends, - in short humanity. We may have already laughed with over 1000 people since getting coached by Dr. Kataria. Laughter to us represents a complete package. In addition to personal health benefits, be coming more productive and innovative at work, we are part of one humanity. World Laughter Day for Peace - we've have celebrated it three times in our area. It is a source of spiritual fulfillment.

Tom D (USA)
portalicia@juno.net

I am transformed! Over a two-day period, I learned that the cause of my pain and fatigue is probably emotional. Then I watched "What the Bleep" again, and am aware of how what I put out impacts the universe, so I want to be loving and positivee. Then Laura presented Laughter Yoga and how we can change how we respond to stress. So, when things weren't going well for me the other day, instead of getting angry and using harsh language like I usually do, I decided to laugh instead. It's amazing! My whole life has changed: the shoulder pain is gone, the fatigue is gone, I'm much calmer -- and happy -- and other people tell me they see a wonderful change in me! And I feel younger -- I was able to play basketball again after 5 months, and it's great!

Marlene Chertok (USA)
marlenc@charter.net

6 months after I had finished chemotherapy I saw the movie, "The Laughter Clubs of India". I had already been incorporating a lot of yoga, meditation and qi gong into my recovery. I decided that laughter was the missing healing ingredient. Also, I had read that breast cancer is related to a blockage in the heart chakra. Laughter helps to open the heart chakra and in Chinese medicine, they say laughter helps to open the heart meridian. I knew I needed to learn to laugh freely again.

So I went to Toronto and became a laughter leader and came back to St Louis , Missouri and started my own laughter group , in large part for my own health and healing. We have several other cancer patients who attend regularly as well.

The laughter has been one of the best and most therapeutic things I have done. It helps me to create a positive energy, to feel more positive and self confident. I laugh more freely now and have become more playful. It can help pull me out of a negative place.

I am just approaching my 4 year anniversary since my diagnosis and have remained cancer free. HO, HO, HA, HA, HA.

Unknown (United Kingdom)
laugh@laughteryoga.org

This is the view of a listener of BBC radio on July 18, 2005 One of the high points of BBC history, if not of the world, was the interview with Dr Madan Kataria the “Guru of Giggling”. I was taken totally aback when, whilst shaving, I found myself exploding with laughter. It was absolutely irresistible cathartic and beautiful.

Alex Sternick- Initiator of Laughter Clubs in Israel (Israel)
sternik1976@yahoo.com

I have been practicing laughter yoga for more than 3 years since i encountered it in Bangalore, India where i used to volunteer. It happened to me accidentaly when i went to a book-sale and during the seeking of an interesting book my eyes stuck on the book "laugh all your way to health" by Dr Kataria. From then my Karma started to change since i wanted after India to find a job in an Humanitaria NGO in Africa- but when i went into Ethiopia on October 2003 - after 8 months there seeking different NGO Solutions, My karma took me into Laughter Yoga Back. I was back to Israel on June 2004 (with a white Ethiopian dog with me...ha ha ha) and I started the first laughter club in Israel 2 years ago. Before Laughter Yoga i was very shy, depressed, negative thinker and not assertive. the process through which i went in Bangalor, then In Ethiopia working with HIV\AIDS dying people and then starting workshops in Israel, converted me slowly to be assertive, indpendent, not shy anymore, and evaluative for myself. I also permitted myself to behave in a foolish way, what i always wanted to do in my life and what was not accessible. Laughter Yoga is a great technique which helped me to evalute the "Alex" inside myself. Today i dont care what others will think about me, i laugh when i want and i teach people how foolishnes and childishness are so important in a stressed country like Israel. The most important thing which i practice in my life, due to Dr Kataria, is "Motions Create Emotions". When i feel i'm stuck in a place i move and then i feel better. Life should be dynamic and not stagnative and this is Kataria's present to me, in Laughter and in Life.

Cindy and Pradeep Singh (USA)
omgum@msn.com

Before my husband Pradeep had major knee surgery he saw a Seattle, Wa. USA newspaper article about laughteryoga helping cancer patients. He went to the website and we were hooked on doing this to help us with all the extreme stess that goes along with surgery and recovery. Being a wife and 24/7 caregiver for my husband left me with the challenge of finding a certified laughter yoga instructor nearby. I thank God I found Sreymom Serey in Tacoma, Wa. and she was more than happy to get a group going here in Olympia Wa. Now we are on our third monthly meeting and working on getting more groups in our area. Thanks a Million Dr. Madan and Madhuri Kataria for sharing with the world the best medicine.

Nili Dor HaElla (Israel)
joytempl@017.net.il

My brother David and my sister-in-law recently died in a plane crash in the USA. After hearing the news of the accident my mother who is suffering with cancer had another setback. She developed a serious condition of pneumonia and septicemia and had to be rushed to hospital where she stayed for 3 weeks. My father flew alone to the USA for the funeral while I stayed home to look after my ailing mother. It all happened so suddenly that it was very hard for me to grasp whether it was all true or some nightmare. My body was in a state of shock. I had to remind myself to eat but I didn't really enjoy the food. I slept in bits and pieces, had nightmares, felt restlessness and my breathing was disturbed. Overall I was sad, depressed and felt helpless. Deciding to come back after several weeks to lead my laughter club was very difficult. At first I was afraid I would not be able to laugh. I then told myself that I would do my best even though I had to fake it until I make it. Dr. Kataria, you are so right when you said during one of our trainings "don't worry if your mind can't laugh, just bring your body to laughter club and it will know what to do". So I did and brought my body and open-heart to the laughter club. I shared with the group what was going on with my life and thanked them for their love and support. That laughter session was the most powerful experience I have ever had in my life. I found the ability to tap into in inner resources I did not know I had at a time when I felt weak and powerless. My laughter club members were so loving caring and supportive that I still feel lucky to be surrounded by so much loving kindness. Thank you laughter yoga, and Dr Kataria, thank you laughter club. With lots of love and laughter. Nili Dor HaElla Haifa Laughter Club, Israel.

Francine Shore (USA)
cine4@nyc.rr.com

I have been involved in laughter therapy, personally and professionally for a number of years. But when I took Dr. Kataria's Laughter Yoga training in NYC a few years ago I knew i was hooked. Laughter Yoga has infiltrated my life. It moves beyond the exercises. It has shifted my perspective in these challenging times and has reaffirmed my ability to laugh in the face of adversity. It has given me permission to be downright silly. Our laughter club really has turned into a social club. Many new friendships have developed as a result of people coming together and laughing weekly. I have also lost weight doing laughter yoga and get sick less often. As a co-founder of a laughter club in NYC, it has been a real privilege to witness the transformation of our members energy (not to mention my own), as a result of participating in Dr. Kataria's laughter yoga. Some of these people are dealing with depression, shyness, overcoming cancer, addictions and other stress related work conditions. I also lead humor groups with seniors who have a whole range of age related illnesses and we integrate laughter yoga in the sessions (average age is 85). L.Y. has taught them too how laugh in the face of adversity, develop a brighter perspective on life and otherwise acts as a powerful natural analgesic for pain! Dr. Kataria, Mr Ambassador of laughter I am forever grateful to you and my testimonial is long over due!!! Francine Shore Co-founder Grabbagiraffe Laughter Club NYC

Eileen Kaczynski (USA)
lightbearer10@hotmail.com

I recently attended a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher training with Dr. Kataria and his wife in Bolton, Canada, in April 2006. This training has had a deep impact on me. I have a new way of approaching my life and my life's work. My new affirmations are "MY LIFE IS FUN, EASY, FILLED WITH LOVE, JOY, PEACE, AND PROSPERITY!!!" I have just returned from a breathwork seminar and the founder(with whom I work) had told me she's never seen me so over the top - seems like the LY Training was just what I needed! It has increased my confidence 10 fold and I got to be more of me, the fun loving me. The people I worked with during this workshop had a more profound experience because of this change as well. When coaching people I used lines such as "You have 2 choices: we can do this the easy way, or the easier way!" Guess what, everyone wanted the second choice. I included more laughter and Joy with my group and more people wanted to be in that fun group. Our group had a team project to do and they wanted to do the laughter yoga I told them about. Others were observing us and begged to join our group---and they did. Among them was a serious monk from California. Well, he got into it the most and we had a blast!!! To put it all in a nutshell I feel very complete, whole, and happy. Thank you again for your patience and your mission!!! ---INJOY!

Susan Brown (Australia)
susanbrown@dodo.com.au

A seaside town called Innisfail was hit my a devastating cyclone called Larry. The entire town & surrounding farms that grown bananas were flattened. People lost homes, their jobs, however it was amazing to say that NO LIVES WERE LOST. Plenty injured but no deaths. Anyway, the town was and still is in STRESS MODE so we decided to take 'laughter' to them to help them deal with their adversity. At first thought of this I must admit I was unsure how the people would receive 'laughing at their misfortune', however it was absolutely fantastic and extremely positive indeed. We did 'on the spot' laughter in the streets. We went to the farmers and gathered them together and laughed together. We gave out food. We helped clean up the mess and destruction. We gathered all the key politicians together such as the mayor of the town, the CEO of Council, the police, the head of health & hospitals, fire & rescue. they opened their political meeting with 10 minutes of laughing. They said it was their best meeting ever. Without bickering and everyone united in positivity with a great outcome. We took 'laughter' to businesses that were operating. We did a WHOLE TOWN LAUGH and called it 'The LARRY (after cyclone Larry) Laugh-in which was FANTASTIC for ALL. Laughter Yoga got exposure NATIONALY on radio also got front page exposure in the newspaper. It was all very moving indeed to see these people who have lost all their worldly possessions unite together and laugh!

Jennifer Iwanski (USA)
jiwanski@ci.schaumburg.il.us

What fun! There is nothing better in life than a complete belly laugh that lasts and lasts and lasts, I totally appreciated what Dr. Kataria was here to teach us today. What I didn't know and what Dr. Kataria taught me today was that all of the benefits of a real, sincere belly laugh can still be reaped by our bodies even if we're fake belly laughing. Everything Dr. Kataria told us about the cell walls taking in more oxygen and how when we laugh out loud we are forced to breathe out all that stale air from our lungs really made good sense. I also appreciated the way Dr. Kataria explained the differences between how a child laughs with the laugh coming from their whole bodies whereas adults tend to only laugh from our brains. The session was just great fun for me. I felt energized afterwards like after having a great workout. I will definitely be interested in bringing this concept into my daily routine to reap all the benefits of laughter that I can!

Maurice D'Arifat (Mauritius)
maurice@intnet.mu

I am a Laughter Yoga Teacher and run a relaxation clinic in Mauritius. The following is a true experience which I had with a client yesterday. She has been depressed for many years and is on heavy antidepressents. She came to me for help. After some questions she told me that she never smiles and that nobody smiles at home, which means that the atmosphere is also depressive, but most important whe wanted to cry but could not do so...and she had not done so for months. I took her outside in the garden and spent 30 minutes with her doing some laughter therapy exercises. The result was outstanding and inspired me to write this note here today. At the end of the session she fell into my arms and cried for at least 10 minutes. When she left she was laughing and totally relieved. She felt that I did a miracle but I told her it is no me. Laughing is the best medicine.

Tess Greenup (USA)
tgreenup@aol.com

My name is Tess Greenup, I am 67 years old. Laughter Yoga is a godsend to me. The easy, joyful exercises that I can do by myself or with a group are more invigorating than any other exercise. Laughter is fun, it's healthy and it is available anywhere, any time. Laughter keeps me in touch with my ageless spirit of playfulness.

Jean Tucker (USA)
webmaster@laughteryoga.org

Hi, my name is Jean, and I'm 73 years old. Recently diagnosed with COPD, the curse of my generation of Marlboro smokers. I was advised to immediately start deep breathing exercises along with taking my meds. Following the advice was not easy for me as I didn't really know how to "deep breathe." I had planned a trip to the library to research techniques. As luck would have it, a dear friend called to invite me to accompany her to a Laughter Yoga training for teachers in Pasadena, California. I was really resistant and related my current quest. "Honey, that's what Laughter Yoga is about--deep breathing plus laughing." (I, of course, had assumed it was twisting and bending and pain.) My friend, Tess, continued, "Laughter has been scientifically proven to aid the body. Look it up." Well, I've just finished the Laughter Yoga Teacher training and have learned the technique to yoga breathing. The best of the best was finding out that simulated or forced laughter can bring the same health benefits to the body as going to a funny movie or laughing at a comedy. Laughter is free. No charge. And the fake laughter turns into real laughter. It's great.

Ikechukwu Simeon Omenka (Nigeria)
post@chidera-edle-steine.com

Luck came my way three years ago in Austria where I experienced laughing for three hours non-stop with Dr. Kataria, Maduri his only wife and about 50 other people. That session inspired me to keep laughing as a form of medicine. I used to suffer every year from hayfever and was allergic to 7 different types of grass. I happily laughed away my illness and today I am free of that torture. No more red eyes, runny nose, heavy heart etc. Thank you to the Katarias!

Nick Gully (United Kingdom)
nick.gully@tiscali.co.uk

Having trained with Dr Kataria in London, UK, I was inspired to spend time with him in India and completed the teacher training with him in Mumbai. My journey had a profound and deep influence on me, bringing about a significant inner shift, whereby I am now more comfortable with myself and my place in the world. Connecting with the universal energy of laughter and the freedom experienced with this has freed me up to be more settled and content and less restricted mentally, physically and emotionally. Something significant shifted for me during my time in India and Dr Kataria's often subtle and trans-verbal influence is deeply profound and lasting. I am forever indebted to Madan and Madhuri and I try in my own small way to transmit some of the essence of laughter yoga and the mental, emotional, physical and of course spiritual benefits that can be achieved from these simple techniques and principles. Nick Gully Laughter Yoga Teacher & Psychotherapist

Dr. Ursula L. Kirchner, Ph.D, MNSc, DDS (Brazil)
tashi@clubedagargalhada.com.br

It happened on Sunday 14 November 2004 at 11:43. I was in my house (it is called "Prashanti Nilayam", meaning: Temple of Peace, in Morro do Chap�u, Belo Horizonte, Brasil. I was climbing a ladder to get to the roof of my house and somehow missed a step. I knew before I even started to fall from this altitude of 4-meters that it would be tragic. My right leg and arm fractured on impact, leaving an open fracture and blood everywhere. What to do? My gardener helped me take off my shoe, put the leg back in its correct position, immobilize and bandage it and call an ambulance that rushed me to hospital, about 50 minutes away. Even though I had nothing to laugh about on that long and painful drive, I started to simulate laughter. The car driver and his co-driver gave me a strange look, asking me: "Dr., are you well?" In the hospital, I had to wait for another 4 hours on the corridor until I was attended to take the X-rays. No action was taken to treat me and I had plenty of time to observe the natural (painful!) sensations within my body, from head to feet and hand. I started a the surface and then went deeper, acknowledging the sensations outside, inside, in every part of the body, especially the broken ones, observing reality as it was. The second I would get tense the pain would overwhelm me. What kind of pain was that? Knowing theoretically about the benefits of therapeutic laughter as a natural pain killer, the time had come to test it out on myself. As the Founder and President of the first Brasilian Laughter Club, I willingly took the chance of being my own "guinea pig"� and test the healing benefits of Laughter Yoga, especially the pain killing effect. The hospital stuff circulating next to me started to whisper and look at me with questions in their eyes. They possibly never saw somebody with multiple fractures, waiting patiently during hours for the surgery, laughing silently, and having a constant smile on the face. The X-rays confirmed in time that the two main bones (tibia, fibula) of the right leg were broken (open fracture), as well as a small rupture on smaller one (talus). The right hand showed also two fractures, one on the radius and an other small bone (piramidal). I remembered Buddha's teachings. It is proper to doubt and to test whatever is beyond one's experience: do not simply believe whatever you are told, or whatever has been handed down from past generations, or what is common opinion, or whatever the scriptures say. Do not accept something as true merely by deduction or inference, or by considering outward appearances, or by partiality for a certain view, or because of its plausibility, or because your teacher tells you it is so. And when you yourselves directly know "these principles are wholesome, blameless, praised by the wise; when adopted and carried out they lead to welfare and happiness"�, then you should accept and practice them. (Kesamutti Sutta) Nothing should be accepted on faith alone, not even the effects of Laughter Yoga. The highest authority is one's one experience of truth. I examined therapeutic laughter, especially the pain killing effect of laughter, its positive influence on the healing process, and on spiritual health. I had the unique chance to experienced the immediate beneficial effects of laughter on all levels: 1. Physical level: * pain killing: Even though a morphine containing remedy was prescribed to control the pain, I did not use a single pain killing drug!!! * Speeds up the healing process: 7 weeks after the accident, I went to a four weeks Yoga Teacher training Course. At the end of the retreat I could walk for short distances without any help. 2. Mental, emotional and spiritual level: Laughter helped me to cope with the challenge of life, especially in this extreme situation, much better. Even though tied to a wheel chair, I continued practicing the regular laughter sessions while convalescent at our Laughter Club (Clube da Gargalhada do Brasil-CGB) in a public park and in a pediatric department of a hospital. My example helped other people. If you like to find out more about my experience, feel free to contact me at tashi@clubedagargalhada.com.br.

Linda Leclerc (Canada)
linda_leclerc@sympatico.ca

It is almost miraculous how such a simple technique can have such an impact! I have led many Laughter Yoga sessions and workshops in my community in Quebec, Canada, since the memorable training I took with Dr Kataria and his wife in spring 2003. Every time I am amazed by the feedback and testimonials I receive from participants. This technique of laughing for no reason brings back positivity in people's life, starting with my own: we sleep better, feel better, leave (live?) with a smile and laugh more in life in general. Every week at my Laughter Club people arrive with their problems, pains, difficulties. No words is spoken during the entire session. All we do is laugh and we don't even have any reason for it. And sure enough, week after week, session after session, those same people leave refreshed, with a light heart and a smile! Productivity and creativity have improved greatly in the workplaces where I animate morning or lunch time laughter sessions. We laugh together a lot, enjoy this simple pleasure and share a moment of relaxation together. I am able to see important changes in shy people who now have much better self-confidence. Team spirit has tightened and many people report that found pleasure and satisfaction in working again. What a wonderful tool!!! Much love & laughter from Quebec Linda Ecole du Yoga du rire, http://www.yogadurire.com/

judith bar-hay kovatch (Israel)
judithbk@netvision.net.il

I am a workshop facilitor and train people about stress management. I live next to the Gaza boarder, and people in my community have been dealing with Kasam missile attacks for the last 5 years. I start all my workshops with 10 minutes of laughter yoga exercises and it works! All the participants report that this technique is powerful and helps them as parents, teachers & caregivers. It also helps the children who experience stress. Personaly, I feel a lot of vitality, calm and happiness. I also run a local laughter club and hope to be able to do a laughter workshop with the Gaza people...

Marianne Lipka (Denmark)
marianne@lipka.dk

I want to acknowledge you for the amazing contribution you have made to us all teaching us how to laugh for no reason and to share it with everyone.

The highligts from my laughter year have been laughing in Uganda at the Makerere University in Kampala and in "Vridsl�selille F�ngsel" with the inmates in the prison just outside Copenhagen. Also the laughter session I had with 35 people in a small town in the countryside in the South Western part of Denmark was very touching because one of the persons attending was a handicapped man tied to a wheel chair. He was unable to do any physical movements by himself and had an assistant helping him around. Sitting paralized in his chair he managed to participate with his eyes and a Hae-Hae sound. I was very moved by the gratefulness he expressed through his eyes saying 'Thank you so much, I loved laughing with you'.
I met a woman in my church at the coffee-get-together after mass. She has had a tough life with depression, drinking, abuse of pills, getting fired from her job, etc. Deep inside she is a happy person and she is very open and interested. She easily laughs even though she has dark sides too. When I invited her to come to a laughter session in my garden she was quite astonish - she had never heard of laughter clubs before and didn't believe her own ears when I told her that it was possible to laugh with total strangers for �-1 hour for no reason at all. And then her faced lighened up more and more as I told her about it and her smile turned into laughter just thinking about laughing. Even simple things can be complicated for her so I offered to pick her up at her house and take her to the laughter club, even though it is not so far from her home. Her spirits were high and she had laughed a lot and told her ndighbours about it ever since she met me two days before.

"Hip hip hurra", as we say in Danish. My best wishes for the year to come.

Love, peace and laughter

Marianne Lipka
http://www.lipka-latter.dk/

Sebastien Gendry (USA)
info@laughteryoga.us

I started a laughter club in Pasadena, California, in December 2004. We have been meeting once / week for 1 hour ever since. The feedback we get from people attending our sessions is most empowering. The chronically depressed claim laughing for no reason helps them "stay above ground" for several days after each session. Those who couldn't sleep now can. Previously shy & introverted individuals become self-expressive and take on leadership roles. The chronically in pain say each session takes their pain away for a little while. We had a man come once with an agonizing tooth rage (he thought that if pain was inevitable then he may as well have fun about it). 30min of non-stop laughter reduced his pain by half. I never stopped to be amazed at the life-transforming impact of such a simple technique. A close-knit community progressively formed amidst the "regulars" and we very much enjoy each other's company. One of our members drives 1h / about 30 miles each way to come every week. Words fail me to express the gratitude I feel for having come accross Laughter Yoga. Thank you.

Nili Dor Haella (Israel)
niwiboom@netvision.net.il

Hi my name is Nili and I am from Israel. I always knew I was a "funny" person with a great sense of humor and a good joke teller, but ever since I started to practice yoga laughter I realized something very important. Before yoga laughter � my laughs helped me keep a safe distance from people; since I laugh for no reason I opened my heart and let people in. I feel more comfortable and can love people and accept them as they are�I am closer to my own self and my own spirit thus able to be closer to others. I sleep better, I don�t have heartburns anymore, I feel more confident and comfortable with my round body and the list goes on and on.

Carole Fawcett (Canada)
flower1@shaw.ca

At the age of 36 I had to have hip surgery as I was born with a congenital defect in both hips. Five years and 12 surgeries later the hips were "fixed".

During that time my Father In Law Died and my son had many problems. The surgeries had depleted my physical and mental energy quite a lot. I went from someone who laughed a lot to a quieter person overall.

One year after my last surgery, my husband of 20 years told me "I don't love you now and I'm not sure I ever did, so I want a divorce". It was devastating to me. Yet another loss. I was then diagnosed with very high blood pressure, Fibromyalgia, and asthma.

A year after that I met a wonderful man who gave me back my sense of self worth. Six years into our relationship he was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer and died. I thought my world had totally ended and I wondered how I would even put one foot in front of the other. I became quite depressed.

Three months later I had an epiphany - I would start a clown troupe that went into hospitals. I did this and then learned of Dr. Katarias laughter movement and just knew this would all tie in wonderfully well. I brought Dr. Kataria to Vernon, BC and then have attended several of his trainings - including the Teacher Training in Naramata, BC.

I now have my own business "A Funny Business" (http://www.afunnybusiness.ca) where I offer stress management and laughter therapy workshops to the corporate world. I have never looked back. Bringing joy to others as a clown and learning to laugh and teaching others how to do this has totally changed my life for the better. I now love getting up in the morning and look forward to each and every day with a new zest for life.