FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Who can benefit from laughter club programs?
Everyone! People of all ages! Healthy people come to laughter clubs to prevent illness and stay healthy. There are neighborhood laughter clubs meeting in private homes, libraries and Y’s. There are already a few programs in schools, and workplace programs are now getting started. There are many programs in retirement communities, assisted living, and nursing homes.
Does it cost anything to attend laughter club sessions?
We are a non-profit organization (Bodymind Creativity, Inc.). We ask an easily affordable donation (sliding-scale from $0 - $15).
Why do we need laughter clubs?
Because the world is forgetting how to laugh, and because much of the world continues to experience misunderstanding, strife and turmoil. If we can create more peace inside us through laughter clubs, then we can contribute to peace in the world. Much of the world does not yet know about the proven benefits of laughter and humor. Yet, all around the world, there are people developing ways to use humor and laughter for health, peace, productivity and joy of living. We help link these people and make their work more visible.
In today’s world, there are many stress-related illnesses, such as heart disease, hypertension, cancer, arthritis, asthma, insomnia, depression, and anxiety. When we look at the physiology of laughter, we see that a major effect of laughter is the release of tension. With health care costs rising dramatically, we hope to empower people as much as possible to take care of their own health both in preventive and therapeutic ways. Laughter is the most cost-effective stress reduction program.
Can children participate in laughter club activities?
We are in the process of creating a laughter club for families with children (age 4-8), and we will post it on this website and around the community as soon as we are ready to begin. Older children are welcome to join the adults if they are capable of participating in exercises with group circles, with other individuals moving around in the room and individually within their own space. A parent or responsible adult is expected to participate as well. If a parent is unsure whether laughter club activities are likely to engage a child's interest, we suggest the adult come alone at first. We are eager for children to participate, and we will be happy to discuss your situation with you in more detail if you wish.
Why not just tell jokes?
Humor is wonderful for two things: it helps us get a perspective on life from which things become a little more bearable, and it gives rise to laughter. We love humor. The problem is that humor is personal or cultural; we don't all laugh at the same jokes. Laughter is universal. In order to use humor, we have to find people who all speak the same language, have a shared cultural context, and have similar tastes. Laughter is controlled by the central nervous system and doesn’t have any of those requirements. Humor has to be created fresh over and over again because you don’t get many laughs from a joke you heard already. Laughter exercises can be done over and over again with only slight modifications to keep them from getting stale. Jokes can also turn hurtful or vulgar: toxic. Our program is supportive and good-natured, only the positive is supported.
How many laughter clubs are there?
It is estimated that there are about 3,000 clubs throughout the world, with tens of thousands of members doing the laughter exercises regularly.
Where are the laughter clubs in the USA?
Information about club locations can be found on the World Laughter Tour web site: www.worldlaughtertour.com, or by calling 1-800-NOW-LAFF. You can also find information at www.laughteryoga.org.
What is the World Laughter Tour?
The World Laughter Tour is a grassroots movement with the mission of bringing to every continent events that promote health and peace through laughter and humor. This is a program created by psychologist Steve Wilson, from Columbus, Ohio and a nurse, Karyn Buxman, in Hannibal, Missouri, in response to the groundbreaking laughter yoga clubs started in India in 1995 by Dr. Madan Kataria. They agreed to work together to support each other in this mission for health, happiness and world peace through laughter. The "touring" happens physically when they go to various cities and countries to lecture, demonstrate and train people in the method. The tour also happens 'virtually' by way of the internet website www.laughterclubs.com, where there is a huge amount of free information and a free electronic newsletter, as well as many educational and amusing resources to help anyone who wants to organize a laughter club or who just wants to practice laughter.
Where can I get more information about the World Laughter Tour and Laughter Yoga?
World Laughter Tour
Phone: (Inside U.S.) 1-800-NOW-LAFF(669-5233)
Phone: (Outside U.S.) 614-855-4733
Write: World Laughter Tour, PO Box 30246, Gahanna, OH 43230
E-mail: info@worldlaughtertour.com
Website: http://www.worldlaughtertour.com
Laughter Yoga
Phone: +91-22-2631 6426/ +91-22-2632 4293
Write: Dr. Kataria’s School of Laughter Yoga
A-1, Denzil, 3rd Cross Road
Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri (West),
Mumbai-400 053. India.
E-mail: laugh@laughteryoga.org
Website: http://www.laughteryoga.org
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