Why Laughter Yoga in Business
Work place is becoming too serious because of increasing stress levels. The general impression is that serious people are more responsible and more productive. This is not true. More productive people are those who take their work seriously but take themselves lightly.
Scientific research shows us that laughter can help resolve workplace stress and create a happy, energized and motivated workforce. But, until now there has been no reliable and effective way to induce laughter. Humor has been one of the ways but it seldom leads to continuous hearty laughter.
Laughter Yoga is a breakthrough laughter delivery system that enables a person to laugh continuously for 15 to 20 minutes with short breaks of yogic breathing.
To get the scientifically proven benefits, laughter has to be:
What is Laughter Yoga
Laughter Yoga is a unique exercise routine that has developed and launched as a movement in 1998. According to this concept anyone can laugh without relying on humor, jokes or comedy. Laughter is simulated as an exercise in a group. With eye contact and childlike playfulness, it soon turns into real and contagious laughter. The reason we call it Laughter Yoga is because it combines laughter exercises with yoga-based breathing patterns. This allows more oxygen into the body and the brain, which makes one feel more energetic and healthy.
The concept of Laughter Yoga is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter. One gets the same physiological and psychological benefits.
This innovative concept has been widely accepted all over the world and has been written about in prestigious publications including the TIME Magazine, National Geographic, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Daily Telegraph (UK) and many others. Laughter clubs were also featured on Oprah Winfrey Show, BBC, CNN, ZDF (Germany ) NHK (Japan ), ABC news ( USA ) and other TV networks.
Corporate Benefits of Laughter Yoga
Laughter Yoga, which initially started as a social club movement, has now entered the business world, where it provides companies and organizations powerful operational benefits. Companies around the world are starting to introduce Laughter Yoga and employers find that it can have a profound influence on their business even making their company more profitable. By introducing laughter sessions for all staff, companies have reported a happier workplace, increased efficiency, better communication, increase in sales and productivity, increased creativity and better teamwork, decrease in illness and absenteeism, and a reduction in employee turnover.
How Laughter Yoga helps improve business and performance
Workplace stress: While there are many tools available for stress management, Laughter Yoga is a unique practice that helps reduce physical, mental and emotional stress at the same time. It works both at the physical and mental level. A research conducted in December 2006 on 50 information technology professionals in Bangalore found a significant reduction in stress levels as shown by reduction in cortisol levels in saliva.
Improved efficiency: At a given time, performance depends upon mood and Laughter Yoga has the power to change the frame of mind within minutes by releasing neuro-peptides from the brain cells called endorphins. Science tells us that the brain needs 25% more oxygen than other body organs. Laughter Yoga increases the net supply of oxygen, which helps in optimal performance and boosts energy levels.
Team building: “People who laugh together, work together”. John Cleese, a renowned British comedian, once said during his visit to Mumbai that laughter is a great connector of people. It breaks all hierarchies and is a force for democracy. Laughter Yoga has the ability to change the work environment drastically by making people happy and cheerful, bringing positive mental attitude, hope and optimism in the workforce. It also increases communication skills to help in teambuilding.
Leadership skills: A good leader is the one who is in touch with his or her emotional being and understand those of others. Laughter Yoga helps connect with people in the workplace and bring an emotional balance. This is greatly helpful in achieving targets and accomplishing goals.
Innovation and creativity: The most creative people in the world are children. The essence of Laughter Yoga is to cultivate child like playfulness. This playfulness stimulates the right brain activity, which is the seat of creativity. This helps in generating new ideas and insights about workplace issues and problems.
Increasing attention span in HR trainings: The human brain cannot concentrate for more than 90 minutes after which the attention span reduces. Even a 5-10 minute Laughter Yoga session can provide a great energy boost during long HR training sessions and conferences. It helps in increasing the attention span, enhancing learning skills and overall concentration.
Positive work environment: Job dissatisfaction and hostile work environment compel people to change jobs more frequently, thus affecting productivity and profitability. Laughter Yoga creates positive energy and improves communication between people. The study on IT companies in Bangalore also confirmed an increase in positive emotions and decrease in negativity, thereby developing an emotional intelligence. This helps in creating a more constructive work environment and ensures loyalty and commitment.
Motivation and communication: For people working in front office and sales and marketing, Laughter Yoga helps to bring a smile on their face and generate an overall feeling of wellbeing. This enhances their communication and motivational skills thus increasing their client base and customer satisfaction.
Health benefits of Laughter Yoga
The basic objective of every human being is to enjoy life, live in harmony with family and friends. But, one cannot enjoy life if one is stressed out. Laughter Yoga is a single exercise routine which brings physical, mental and social wellbeing in shortest possible time. People can experience benefits of this unique practice from the very first session.
The two most common causes of ill health are wrong food habits and lack of exercise which leads to heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and many stress-related illnesses.
Executives are very busy and have no time to exercise. Dr. Williams Fry of Stanford University proved that 10 minutes of hearty laughter is equal to 30 minutes on the rowing machine- this is not in terms of muscular movement but a cardio pulmonary endurance. The purpose of all aerobic exercises is to stimulate heart rate, increase blood circulation, supply oxygen and remove toxins.
Work place is becoming too serious because of increasing stress levels. The general impression is that serious people are more responsible and more productive. This is not true. More productive people are those who take their work seriously but take themselves lightly.
Scientific research shows us that laughter can help resolve workplace stress and create a happy, energized and motivated workforce. But, until now there has been no reliable and effective way to induce laughter. Humor has been one of the ways but it seldom leads to continuous hearty laughter.
Laughter Yoga is a breakthrough laughter delivery system that enables a person to laugh continuously for 15 to 20 minutes with short breaks of yogic breathing.
To get the scientifically proven benefits, laughter has to be:
- Hearty – emanating from the belly (diaphragm)
- It has to be extended for a longer period of time.
What is Laughter Yoga
Laughter Yoga is a unique exercise routine that has developed and launched as a movement in 1998. According to this concept anyone can laugh without relying on humor, jokes or comedy. Laughter is simulated as an exercise in a group. With eye contact and childlike playfulness, it soon turns into real and contagious laughter. The reason we call it Laughter Yoga is because it combines laughter exercises with yoga-based breathing patterns. This allows more oxygen into the body and the brain, which makes one feel more energetic and healthy.
The concept of Laughter Yoga is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter. One gets the same physiological and psychological benefits.
This innovative concept has been widely accepted all over the world and has been written about in prestigious publications including the TIME Magazine, National Geographic, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Daily Telegraph (UK) and many others. Laughter clubs were also featured on Oprah Winfrey Show, BBC, CNN, ZDF (Germany ) NHK (Japan ), ABC news ( USA ) and other TV networks.
Corporate Benefits of Laughter Yoga
Laughter Yoga, which initially started as a social club movement, has now entered the business world, where it provides companies and organizations powerful operational benefits. Companies around the world are starting to introduce Laughter Yoga and employers find that it can have a profound influence on their business even making their company more profitable. By introducing laughter sessions for all staff, companies have reported a happier workplace, increased efficiency, better communication, increase in sales and productivity, increased creativity and better teamwork, decrease in illness and absenteeism, and a reduction in employee turnover.
How Laughter Yoga helps improve business and performance
Workplace stress: While there are many tools available for stress management, Laughter Yoga is a unique practice that helps reduce physical, mental and emotional stress at the same time. It works both at the physical and mental level. A research conducted in December 2006 on 50 information technology professionals in Bangalore found a significant reduction in stress levels as shown by reduction in cortisol levels in saliva.
Improved efficiency: At a given time, performance depends upon mood and Laughter Yoga has the power to change the frame of mind within minutes by releasing neuro-peptides from the brain cells called endorphins. Science tells us that the brain needs 25% more oxygen than other body organs. Laughter Yoga increases the net supply of oxygen, which helps in optimal performance and boosts energy levels.
Team building: “People who laugh together, work together”. John Cleese, a renowned British comedian, once said during his visit to Mumbai that laughter is a great connector of people. It breaks all hierarchies and is a force for democracy. Laughter Yoga has the ability to change the work environment drastically by making people happy and cheerful, bringing positive mental attitude, hope and optimism in the workforce. It also increases communication skills to help in teambuilding.
Leadership skills: A good leader is the one who is in touch with his or her emotional being and understand those of others. Laughter Yoga helps connect with people in the workplace and bring an emotional balance. This is greatly helpful in achieving targets and accomplishing goals.
Innovation and creativity: The most creative people in the world are children. The essence of Laughter Yoga is to cultivate child like playfulness. This playfulness stimulates the right brain activity, which is the seat of creativity. This helps in generating new ideas and insights about workplace issues and problems.
Increasing attention span in HR trainings: The human brain cannot concentrate for more than 90 minutes after which the attention span reduces. Even a 5-10 minute Laughter Yoga session can provide a great energy boost during long HR training sessions and conferences. It helps in increasing the attention span, enhancing learning skills and overall concentration.
Positive work environment: Job dissatisfaction and hostile work environment compel people to change jobs more frequently, thus affecting productivity and profitability. Laughter Yoga creates positive energy and improves communication between people. The study on IT companies in Bangalore also confirmed an increase in positive emotions and decrease in negativity, thereby developing an emotional intelligence. This helps in creating a more constructive work environment and ensures loyalty and commitment.
Motivation and communication: For people working in front office and sales and marketing, Laughter Yoga helps to bring a smile on their face and generate an overall feeling of wellbeing. This enhances their communication and motivational skills thus increasing their client base and customer satisfaction.
Health benefits of Laughter Yoga
The basic objective of every human being is to enjoy life, live in harmony with family and friends. But, one cannot enjoy life if one is stressed out. Laughter Yoga is a single exercise routine which brings physical, mental and social wellbeing in shortest possible time. People can experience benefits of this unique practice from the very first session.
The two most common causes of ill health are wrong food habits and lack of exercise which leads to heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and many stress-related illnesses.
Executives are very busy and have no time to exercise. Dr. Williams Fry of Stanford University proved that 10 minutes of hearty laughter is equal to 30 minutes on the rowing machine- this is not in terms of muscular movement but a cardio pulmonary endurance. The purpose of all aerobic exercises is to stimulate heart rate, increase blood circulation, supply oxygen and remove toxins.
Wow its a amazing post you are relating laughter yoga to business its great
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