Laughter Yoga benefits children - and those who work with them!

The stressors of daily life -– including the school environment – can stifle the natural stress- reducing reflex of laughter.  But give children permission to laugh – especially within the usually serious academic environment - and there is a welcome relief of stress and tension that can produce dramatically positive results. 

Hearty laughter can improve blood circulation and oxygen supply to the brain and internal organs, rid the lungs of stale air, improve concentration, and increase learning ability and academic performance.  Children will suffer fewer attacks of coughs, colds, throat and chest infections, as laughter helps to build good immunity against common infections.

When children are put in the right conditions to laugh at school, their confidence is boosted and their ability to handle stress can improve.  They develop a positive attitude, even in challenging times.  Laughter Yoga also stimulates their right brain hemisphere, enhancing their creative abilities.  Imagine what a short laughter session can do prior to a high-stakes exam, sports competition or public speaking event! 

Laughter Yoga also delivers an increased sense of connection and community, improved concentration, and significant stress reduction for both students and staff. 

Laughter Yoga for School Children

Laughter Capital services for children are specially tailored to various age groups – Kindergarten and Elementary School children, pre-teens and teenagers.  They can be delivered in various formats and adapted to the various environments where children are found – schools, leisure, health and sports centers, camps, etc.  They can also be tailored to the goals set by the teacher, educator or supervisor.  Through interactive discussion and practical exercise, children learn about the benefits of laughter and experience its effects firsthand.

A typical Laughter Workshop for Children (aged 6 to 18) lasts from 30 to 60 minutes.  The group size depends on the age of participants.  The session includes a mix of discussions, presentations and exercises, tailored to each specific target group, and might include:

Ö  Child-oriented audiovisual presentations and discussions on the history and concept of Laughter Yoga, and its benefits for health, sports and school performance;

Ö  Practical Laughter Yoga session followed by laughter meditation and guided relaxation laughter, breathing and relaxation exercises.

Laughter Yoga for School Staff and Other Professionals Working with Children

Laughter Capital offers various laughter workshops and programs to help professionals working with children – teachers, administrators, support staff, coaches, camp supervisors and counselors, doctors, nurses, psychologists, family therapists, entertainers, etc.

Ö  Laughter Yoga sessions for personal health and wellbeing – to help them, as individuals, to cope with the daily pressures of working with children

Ö  Training for professionals who wish to incorporate Laughter Yoga as an educational or health activity.  There are several training programs available to individuals wishing to implement Laughter Yoga in their workplace or community, including the following, particularly well adapted to the school environment:

Introductory Experiential Seminar

Ö  Duration

60-90 Minutes

Ö  Target Audience

Director, administrators, teachers and staff at all levels

Ö  Group size

20 to 120 participants

Ö  Who will benefit

School staff who are interested in understanding and experiencing the new phenomenon of Laughter Yoga in order to implement it in their school – as a regular activity for children or adults (onsite Laughter Club).

Ö  Contents

This experiential seminar includes:

          Ö  History, concept and philosophy of Laughter Yoga

          Ö  Audiovisual presentation about scientific research on Laughter Yoga,   international Laughter Clubs and Laughter yoga for children

          Ö  Laughter Yoga session followed with laughter meditation and guided                         &n bsp;  relaxation

          Ö  Discussion on the benefits of Laughter Yoga and techniques to add more                    laughter in one's personal, professional and social life.

Ö  At the end of the seminar, participants will:

          Ö  understand the value of laughter as an exercise;

          Ö  have experienced enhanced energy levels from the very first session;

          Ö  have kept cheerful and fit right throughout the day;

          Ö  have learned to "laugh for no reason";

          Ö  be able to practice Laughter Yoga exercises anytime anywhere.

          Ö  know how to change their mood, attitude and coping ability within minutes         through laughter;

          Ö  understand the benefits of implementing Laughter Yoga with their students;

          Ö  know how to use Laughter Yoga exercises to release negative emotions and bring about an emotional balance for better relationships with colleagues, friends        and family;

          Ö  have a keen insight on how to apply the wisdom of Laughter Yoga to bring      more joy and serenity to their workplace.