Ever caught wind of laughter yoga? Turns out, yoga gurus and even science, swear by its health benefits. Yep, the very practice that you might have stumbled upon — if you’ve ever woken up early morning and found a group of people laughing together in a park. Well, World Laughter Day celebrated on the first Sunday of May, is all about this!
To further commemorate this day, we got in touch with Laughter Yoga Guru, Dr Harish Rawat from Ghaziabad – someone who avidly delves into both chakras and chuckles. As a bonus, he’s an icon, having secured a Guinness World Record for conducting the longest laughter yoga marathon, spanning an impressive 36 hours and 2 minutes!
In conversation with Dr Harish Rawat
During our extensive and intriguing conversation, Dr Rawat shared insights into his journey as a Laughter Yoga Guru and revealed how he managed to achieve this remarkable world record.
Can you share a bit about your journey as a Yoga Guru? How did you get started?
Before 2015, while employed at an IT company, I noticed a pervasive atmosphere of depression that seemed to permeate many workplaces. A close friend’s suicide attempt was a wake-up call, highlighting the dire need for happiness in our lives. Motivated by this, I formed my Lot of Laughter (LOL) team, and began practising laughter yoga therapy.
Tell us about your ‘Longest Laughter Yoga Class Marathon’. What accolades and records did it earn you?
In July 2018, my team, Lot of Laughter Yoga (LOL), and I achieved the world’s longest laughter yoga class marathon, lasting 36 hours and 2 minutes. We embarked on this journey at 9:35 am on June 30 and concluded at 9:37 pm the following day, spreading joy and laughter through nine modules of laughter exercises. Our accomplishment was officially recognised by Guinness Book of World Records.
How can laughter therapy or laughter yoga benefit one’s health?
Laughter naturally mirrors a deep breathing pattern, encouraging us to take in rejuvenating breaths. Through voluntary laughter exercises, we stimulate the release of happiness hormones such as endorphins and oxytocin, offering a synthetic boost of positivity to both mind and body. This practice doubles as a respiratory exercise, benefiting lung function and promoting overall wellness for various organs.
Could you share an instance where someone’s life was significantly improved through laughter yoga?
One of the memorable moments I recall is from some years ago, when my team and I conducted a laughter therapy session at a cancer hospital around Diwali. The session proved to be immensely successful, providing much-needed relief to the patients who were desperate for moments of joy amidst their struggles. Later, we learned from the doctors that a patient who attended the session and eventually lost their battle with cancer, remembered us fondly during their final moments
Lastly, do you have a message you’d like to share with people on this World Laughter Day?
Spend 10-15 minutes laughing with your family. Nowadays, even those living together often stay glued to their phones; so just try spending more time with your family instead. If you’re away from home, consider practicing voluntary laughter therapy – it’s a powerful tool for stress relief and nurturing mental well-being.
Hit pause, have a chuckle!
Charlie Chaplin had once said, “A day without laughter is a day wasted” and Dr Rawat and his team, epitomise this sentiment daily. And if you too, want to be a part of his sessions, you can follow Dr Rawat on Instagram.
So on this World Laughter Day, if you find it challenging to laugh voluntarily (like those folks at the park every morning), try something different. Watch the latest stand-up of your favourite comedian or chat with old buddies, reminiscing about those clumsy and funny incidents from your life—they’re sure to make you crack up!
