Laughter Yoga – A Powerful Tool For Health

Pedro Hernandez, Mexico: I am a registered Hatha Yoga teacher and have been teaching it for the last 10 years. I also run a Yoga studio with Caty, my soulmate. In January, 2008, I got the opportunity to experience my first Laughter Yoga session. The effect was so profound, almost similar to some of the rare experiences I have had during either Hatha Yoga or meditation sessions in 30 years. So, at once I realized Laughter Yoga was a very powerful style of Yoga and anyone who practices it on a regular basis receives the same benefits of other Yoga styles, but with a big difference: people don’t need to be supple or young to practice Laughter Yoga and they can feel its benefits from the very first session. We immediately started a free Laughter Yoga Club at our Yoga Studio. Every Sunday up to 50 people join us to share the benefits of Laughter Yoga.

Last year, in 2009, after an intensive 5-day Laughter Yoga training with Dr. Madan Kataria and sharing of experiences with almost 50 participants from 7 countries, I realized Laughter Yoga will be a very important part of me, for the rest of my life.

In the last 3 months, I trained 49 Laughter Leaders, many of whom are now working in small cities around Mexico with their own Laughter Yoga Clubs. I also trained 8 Laughter Leaders in Yucatan, the land of ancient Mayas. Some of them are direct descendants of Mayas, and still speak the ancient Mayan language. Talking of the Mayan Prophecy that the world will end in 2012, I can only say that maybe the unhappiness will end, but it will be a new beginning of a joyful age where Laughter Yoga will be a great tool to enhance world happiness!!