Anna Zakharova, Moscow: Two years after graduating from Moscow Aviation Institute in 2010, I was fortunate to get the most precious gift of Laughter Yoga from my friend. Called “Anju’s Yoga Lessons”, these lessons were conducted by laughter teacher Anju Shahani. I was delighted and highly inspired and went for my second lesson during the celebrations of World Laughter Day this ye...

Tosha Tobias, Chile: I was a very heavy smoker (more than 30 cigarettes a day). Just before I traveled to the US to take my Laughter Yoga Leader & Teacher course with Dr. Kataria I had a very strong cold and couldn’t smoke because it made me cough. So I decided to not smoke and practice to be able to go through those training days smoke free. No smoking on the plane. No smoking room at t...

Eleonora Zuleta Patiño, Venezuela: Laughter Yoga came to me in response to my request to serve the world. I wanted to deliver something from me to others. Starting a Laughter Club and sharing unconditional laughter and joy was my answer. In the process, I rediscovered and began to believe in myself. I started sharing my laughter and smiles with everyone. This remarkable change which I exper...

Bachan Singh, Malaysia: The style of introducing oneself during the certified Laughter Yoga training changed my entire perception regarding Laughter Yoga. It begins with ‘Tell your name and laugh, ha ha ha. Tell where you come from and laugh, ha ha ha. Tell what you do and laugh, ha ha ha.’ While answering these questions, I realized my ego gradually diminished thereby creating a borde...

Saskia van Velzen, Netherlands: As a child I was very happy with lots of laughter and lots of friends, but unfortunately it did not last when I grew older. I studied finance and always worked in this field. But that didn’t make me smile. What did make me smile was the time, about 15 years ago, when I was a therapist in the alternative field and gave reiki courses and all kinds of workshops. ...

Loretta Bert, Italy: Some days ago, I was running a laughter class in our club. My idea was to lead the class for the first minutes, because I needed to leave my club-mates, at a given time, in order to reach a bookshop for a Laughter Yoga presentation. I was so happy and all the members were happy as well and full of energy. There was also a new entry in our club and I wanted to communicate al...

Mary Stallings, Mexico: To me, life has been a series of events that I have labeled as either good or bad. I’ve carried these experiences around with me and have given them power to prevent me from doing certain things. I have been continuously worried about what others would think of me that I have not been able to enjoy life. I have felt as if I were walking on eggshells everyday to try an...

Robert Rivest, USA: My background is in the performing arts and I have been presenting comic health, literacy and stress management educational programs in schools, libraries and theaters for 28 years. I discovered Laughter Yoga 2 years ago when Mary Rives and Keith Carlson offered a free Laughter Yoga session at my performing arts guild. I loved it and felt great for even after several hours. ...

Carla BeDell, USA: I love to laugh. I always have. I married a man who loved to laugh as much as I did. For a while, everything was great. But just as what happens in most peoples lives, things became too serious. My husband and I were both involved in the stressful corporate life: him working with ever changing technology in the banking industry and me juggling the increasing pressure filled envi...

Karen Michelle Bayard, USA: I’ve always loved to laugh and found it everywhere. When my brother died of AIDS I felt emotionally derailed. My heart was heavy. I had so many questions, the greatest was, “Why didn’t he tell me he was sick?” His death came as an awful surprise to our small family. I flew home and I am thankful I had 63 days with him to love him up, talk, laugh ...

Johanne Bouchard, Canada: I started the Laughter Club of La Prairie-Montérégie, QC, Canada five years ago. As a leader, I like laughing weekly with the members and interacting with them. I even practice laughing alone together with proper breathing exercises and humming. This has made a significant difference to my body, mind and soul. As a child, I lived with a single mother who ...

Richard Romagnoli, Italy: Becoming aware of laughter yoga for me was not a coincidence, but simply magic! I was doing shopping in a small shop in Puttaparthi (South India) and I noticed that there was a small book titled “Laughter for no reason”.Since I was a child, I dedicate myself to the art of magic and illusionism, who for twenty years is also my profession (in Italy and around th...