Laughter Yoga improves immune system, says Dr Kataria

Hyderabad, Aug 9 (INN): Dr. G.S. Melkote Park amphitheatre at Narayanguda known for its early morning view of joggers, brisk walkers engaged in exercises amidst the backdrop of the prevailing tranquility, chirping birds and greenery wore a festive look today.

The atmosphere echoed with peals of laughter as former physician of Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, founder president Laughter Club International and laughter guru Dr. Madan Kataria along with his better half and cofounder Madhuri descended there for a Free Public Seminar on laughter Yoga organised by Dr. G. S. Melkote Park Walkers & Laughter Yoga in association with Laughter university, Banagalore.

The programme which began with Manoj Kothari, the joint secretary of the association and his cohost Sushma Shah welcoming the gathering exhibited India's rich cultural exuberance in true spirits with Ganesh Vanadana and the girls dressed in colourful ghagra choli putting up a spectacular dance performance over a medley of Hindi numbers.

Dr Madan Kataria, the chief guest for the seminar extrapolating on the virtues of Laughter Yoga informed, 'It has instant results and is applicable to everybody and anybody. We come across two kinds of laughter one which is circumstantial and the other based on comedy or created through jokes. Both are related to our mind. While with laughter yoga anyone can laugh without administered jokes or humour. We laugh in a group and imitative laughter as a form of exercise becomes real and contagious through eye contact with other group members. It is called laughter yoga due to combination of laughter with deep breathing techniques from yoga that enhances oxygen flow in your body and brain and makes you healthy and energetic. The concept of laughter yoga is based on scientific studies whereby our body cannot differentiate between real and fake laughter. One gets the same benefits even if you are doing laughter as an exercise. It develops emotional intelligence that enables to improve one's relationship with others socially. One can work in perfect harmony with others and quality of life improves remarkably, ensuring health and happiness.'

He further said, 'World over realising the benefits of laughter it has become an integral part of educational curriculum in many countries including USA, Japan and Germany. While the movement initiated by him has spread with sixteen thousand clubs in more than hundred and one countries, Bangalore with 220 clubs and world's first International University of Laughter Yoga is the headquarters of the International Laughter Clubs across the globe. In Bangalore's Vidya Prakash School one classroom has been earmarked for laughter with an endeavour to inculcate laughter, singing and dancing to develop children's emotional intelligence. One chapter in our CBSE class 10th curriculum has been dedicated to laughter Yoga and its benefits. Considering the benefits of Laughter Yoga I appeal to our prime minister to make a session on laughter yoga mandatory in all the educational institutions of our country.'

He announced, 'Considering the far reaching benefits of practicing laughter yoga in corporate sector, social institutions, government departments including prisons to improve the mental health of prisoners, Hyderabad to soon have a University centre of our laughter university at Bangalore.'

Dr Aniruddh K Purohit, head of Neurosurgery at NIMS, author of Haso Hasao aur Jano, decorated with several honours and a proponent of laughter Yoga, the guest of honour observed, 'As a medico long ago I realised the immense scientific benefits of laughter in preventing stress, hypertension and other lifestyle diseases. Laughter creates a chemical called endorphin, which like morphine creates resistance against even dreaded diseases like cancer and makes our immune system strong. Laughter is a physical exercise. Man being a social animal, when we laugh together it creates emotional bonding, happiness; one becomes open minded thereby improving one's physical, mental and social health, the basis of your holistic well being.' Dr Purohit has been invited by Dr Madan to the medical advisory board of the University on this occasion.

Speaking to the media, Manoj Kothari said, 'I myself am a fun-loving person. Laughter yoga enhances our social circle and is a relationship therapy. We at Melkote Park Walkers & Laughter Yoga are like a family and celebrate every festival together with great fanfare and fervor. It has helped develop our self confidence and personality. Laughter Yoga has changed our thinking pattern, brought in lot of openness among members and provided a platform to each one of us to showcase our latent talents.'

Shirin Panjwani president of Hyderabad laughter clubs said, 'More women are actively coming forward to participate in laughter clubs outnumbering their male counterparts. Their participation has enabled to increase the flow of energy in their respective families too.' Mahesh Shah, Suresh Ojha, Suraj Prasad Agarwal, Chandra Mohan, Ravindra Agarwal and other members of the Melkote Park Walkers & Laughter Yoga actively contributed to make the event successful.