Laughter Yoga Promotes Wellness Through Laughter, Yogic Breathing

AUSTIN, TX — In 1995, Madan Kataria, a physician from Mumbai, India, founded Laughter Yoga with an objective to "bring together an international community of people who believe in love and laughter." According to Kataria, Laughter Yoga helps practitioners relieve stress, boost immunity, combat depression, and ultimately leads people to think more positive thoughts.

Simone Monique Barnes is a firm believer in Laughter Yoga, as a Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor and as a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher (CLYT). Barnes promotes the many benefits of Laughter Yoga and reminds people of the tools we each have available to us to through breath and laughter, movement and stillness, and how these are available to us at all moments, in all places.

As Barnes explains, medical appointments, fatigue, exhaustion, chronic illness, expenses, car troubles, stress, cancer, these are all factors that lead people to become overwhelmed. Laughter Yoga provides an opportunity to engage in an interactive activity designed for all bodies to find joy even in the midst of trying times. A mind-body practice, Laughter Yoga combines deep yogic breathing and unbridled laughter to create an experience unlike anything else.

Barnes leads group laughter exercises, meditation and deep relaxation to allow participants to draw more oxygen to their bodies and brains, and connect with fellow practitioners in an authentic way without relying on language, jokes, or a sense of humor. Practitioners of Laughter Yoga walk away with a few valuable techniques they may begin using to feel energetic and more relaxed, and translate frustrating situations into happy, endorphin-filled meditative experiences.

Cancer Rehab and Integrative Medicine hosts "Laughter Yoga and Wellness with Simone" on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 11:30 a.m. This class is free and open to all and participants are asked to wear clothes that allow for freedom in movement and don't restrict abdomen. No yoga mats or props needed, and this class is Wheel Friendly. For more details and to register through Eventbrite, click HERE.

Event Details

Laughter Yoga and Wellness with Simone

Saturday, Nov. 16 at 11:30 a.m.

Cancer Rehab and Integrative Medicine

4130 Spicewood Springs Rd. Ste 100

Austin, TX 78759

Admission: FREE

For more events, be sure and check out the Austin Patch Events Calendar.