Pedro Hernandez, Mexico: I have been a professional Hatha Yoga teacher for 10 years – practicing for 30 – and own a Yoga studio in Mexico City. I participated in a Laughter Yoga session for the first time in January 2008 and the effect was profound, almost similar to some of the rare experiences I have had during either Hatha Yoga or meditation classes in 30 years of practice. To me La...

Caroline Sheehan, USA: Laughter Yoga isn’t for everyone, but it’s been an absolute gift for me and has been a remarkably powerful force in my diabetes management. The activity itself doesn’t lower my blood sugar — although one study found lower post-prandial blood sugars among Type 2 diabetics who attended a comedy show compared to those who sat through a boring lecture. Fo...

Mona Warner, Canada: Recently, a lot of people suggested that I post something about my experience with Laughter Yoga… well, here’s what I came up with: Back in early 2007, a friend of mine told me she did Laughter Yoga training. I thought it sounded odd, not very yogic… too irreverent perhaps? Anyhow, as she was telling me how great it was, I tuned out. Apparently I was not re...

Kathryn Kimmins, USA: Laughter has been my best buddy as far back as I can remember. I grew up with a father who loved to make people laugh. He was always smiling and laughing. As a young child I was very sensitive – I mean super sensitive. If you looked at me, I thought you were either talking about me or laughing at me. I wish Laughter Yoga had been part of my life back then. I might ...

Laura Gentry, USA: Unos días después de la cirugía de reemplazo de cadera de mi madre, le reportó a mi padre algunos síntomas inusuales y éste la llevó de inmediato a urgencias del hospital. Ahí descubrieron que tenía un aneurisma en la aorta que podría ser fatal y se decidieron a transportarla en avión ambulancia a un ho...

Anna Zakharova, Moscow: Two years after graduating from Moscow Aviation Institute in 2010, I was fortunate to get the most precious gift of Laughter Yoga from my friend. Called “Anju’s Yoga Lessons”, these lessons were conducted by laughter teacher Anju Shahani. I was delighted and highly inspired and went for my second lesson during the celebrations of World Laughter Day this ye...

Tosha Tobias, Chile: I was a very heavy smoker (more than 30 cigarettes a day). Just before I traveled to the US to take my Laughter Yoga Leader & Teacher course with Dr. Kataria I had a very strong cold and couldn’t smoke because it made me cough. So I decided to not smoke and practice to be able to go through those training days smoke free. No smoking on the plane. No smoking room at t...

Bachan Singh, Malaysia: The style of introducing oneself during the certified Laughter Yoga training changed my entire perception regarding Laughter Yoga. It begins with ‘Tell your name and laugh, ha ha ha. Tell where you come from and laugh, ha ha ha. Tell what you do and laugh, ha ha ha.’ While answering these questions, I realized my ego gradually diminished thereby creating a borde...

Saskia van Velzen, Netherlands: As a child I was very happy with lots of laughter and lots of friends, but unfortunately it did not last when I grew older. I studied finance and always worked in this field. But that didn’t make me smile. What did make me smile was the time, about 15 years ago, when I was a therapist in the alternative field and gave reiki courses and all kinds of workshops. ...

Loretta Bert, Italy: Some days ago, I was running a laughter class in our club. My idea was to lead the class for the first minutes, because I needed to leave my club-mates, at a given time, in order to reach a bookshop for a Laughter Yoga presentation. I was so happy and all the members were happy as well and full of energy. There was also a new entry in our club and I wanted to communicate al...

Mary Stallings, Mexico: To me, life has been a series of events that I have labeled as either good or bad. I’ve carried these experiences around with me and have given them power to prevent me from doing certain things. I have been continuously worried about what others would think of me that I have not been able to enjoy life. I have felt as if I were walking on eggshells everyday to try an...

Robert Rivest, USA: My background is in the performing arts and I have been presenting comic health, literacy and stress management educational programs in schools, libraries and theaters for 28 years. I discovered Laughter Yoga 2 years ago when Mary Rives and Keith Carlson offered a free Laughter Yoga session at my performing arts guild. I loved it and felt great for even after several hours. ...