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About Us
About Us

Laughter for Africa is a voluntary alliance of Laughter Yoga Leaders and Professionals who are committed to uphold the integrity and standards of Laughter Yoga in Africa, especially South Africa.

Our Vision: To spread Health, Happiness and Peace through Laughter in South Africa.

Our Vision is achieved through the following:

· Ongoing Laughter Yoga Education and Training

· Corporate Laughter Services

· Laughter Yoga Conferences, Seminars and Workshops

· Community Laughter Services

· Support for Laughter Yoga Professionals

· Public Awareness Campaigns

Did you know that the average child laughs between 300 and 400 times per day? By the time we reach adulthood we are reduced to laughing, on average, only 12 times a day! From this you can deduct what is missing in our lives - Laughter!

Laughter is a great way to build bridges and promote harmony and peace. All in the spirit of Ubuntu! (Ubuntu as an African concept in which we are reminded that it is only through the health and happiness of others, that we can experience health and happiness).

Laughter for Africa has joined hands and formed a partnership with the Amy Biehl Foundation. This foundation is a non-profit organisation whose programmes are designed to develop and empower youth in townships and contribute to community building efforts as a mechanism to reduce the levels of crime and violence in these areas and to give children a brighter future.

Laughter for Africa will donate a percentage of all its corporate income to the Amy Biehl Foundation - our chosen charitable organisation.

Please visit www.amybiehl.org for more information.

Community laughter session

 

Amy Biehl Foundation

What is Laughter Yoga? Laughter Yoga is a combination of easy laughter exercises and simple breathing and relaxation exercises (derived from yoga). There is not other connection to yoga.

It is designed to teach the body to laugh without depending on comedy, jokes or humour. This is a simple, yet very effective body-mind technique that is scientifically proven to counter stress and boost the immune system. More info on how Laughter Yoga works.
The World-Wide Laughter Movement started in India in 1995 when Dr. Madan Kataria, a Mumbai physician, discovered the physical and psychological benefits enjoyed by his patients who had taken to heart his prescription for regular laughter. They were happier, healthier and more productive. With his wife, Madhuri Kataria, a yoga teacher, Dr. Kataria developed Laughter Yoga - which involves laughing for no reason at all.
Dr M Kataria
Some Laughter Yoga Benefits:
  • Laughter improve mental states.
  • It helps to overcome depression.
  • Laughter increases creativity, innovation and communication skills.
  • It improves self confidence and self esteem.
  • Laughter improves respiration, oxygenation and circulation.
  • It is a very good aerobic exercise.
  • Laughter reconnects people under a non-threatening, and non-competitive manner.
  • People who laugh often remain healthy, active and live substantially longer.
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    Science has proven that your body cannot tell the difference between pretend laughter and spontaneous laughter. So even if you pretend to laugh, your body experience the same physiological and psychological benefits as real laughter! Pretend laughter becomes genuine through eye contact and the contagious nature of laughter yoga.

    Imagine! Laughing for no reason at all except the joy of improving your health and well-being. Today the movement has spread to more than 60 countries and 6000 laughter clubs world-wide!

    Laughter Yoga has changed countless lives and has been introduced into fitness & yoga studios, schools, hospitals, aged care centers, hospices, orphanages, cancer treatment centers, prisons, and in sports coaching.

    Many small and large businesses, government departments and police forces are introducing laughter yoga in the workplace. All are welcome regardless of gender, age, physical abilities, social or economic backgrounds.

    All you need to benefit from a laughter session, is a willingness to laugh. You do not need a sense of humour or any comedic ability.

    Bring us your body and we will make you laugh!

    What Happens in a Laughter Session?

    A Laughter session consists of laughter exercises, breathing and stretching with laughter meditation.

    Sessions can be enjoyed by a wide range of age groups and physical capabilities.

    Updated: August 2008