Laughter Yoga aka Laughter Therapy started for myself (Laughing John) way back in 2009 in Nottingham!
I first attended a laughter workshop at The Place community depot in Sherwood, Nottingham in 2008. This inspired me to leave my career in selling data centre space to companies and embark on a new more fulfilling role as a Laughter Yoga leader.
Ive battled with depression and self doubt since childhood and never found anything as effective as participating in a Laughter Yoga/Therapy Workshop to alleviate low mood and render ultimate joy at the same time.
The multiple connections with people from different backgrounds and ages in sessions I found very uplifting. I experienced a ephoric epiphany ; that as humans we are essentially the same and should help each other. As Victor Hugo stated ‘laughter is the shortest distance between two people’. To experience multiple fun connections with others relentlessly I found very inspiring and humane. Therefore I wanted to take this further and help others by training to lead sessions myself. Seventeen years and several hundred laughter workshops later I’m proud to have nearly one hundred recommendations on my LinkedIn profile. See here.
For some current research in to the positive effect of Laughter Yoga on depression,anxiety and stress click here. The greatest impact on stress was recorded straight after the intervention programmes. A group of 84 participants was employed. This highlights the immediate benefit of laughter reducing stress.
In the same study music was also found to help improve stress and depression. I have had the pleasure of witnessing this in my sessions when I’ve used music as a warm up activity ; watching people lose their inhibitions and start to smile and dance!
I am still based in Nottingham and travel to most of the UK. Please contact me to see if I cover your specific area. Fore more information this is my team building site aimed at companies.