Laughter Yoga

“How did you feel after you watched the funniest movie you ever saw? Did you feel happy? Was it because you saw something funny or was it because you laughed out loud for a sustained period of time. Laughter Yoga can show you how to feel that way any time.” Tod Whitehurst NCMT Laughter Yoga Leader

“IT WAS AMAZING. I didn’t even know it was possible to laugh like that without a reason. I was still laughing on my way out the door; it was great! …. It was like a breath of fresh air – on the inside AND out! My friends …. said they couldn’t even remember the last time I was that happy, giddy and lit up. There is a difference in feeling happy and actually being thoroughly happy. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I needed last night (and I didn’t even realize I needed it until I was experiencing it). The meditation was just invigorating! It reminded me that I can still laugh even when I want to cry”.

Cost: Free

What is Laughing Yoga?

It is intentioned sustained laughter used to promote health. Unlike other forms of Yoga there are no postures and unlike traditional forms of laughter there are no jokes nor humor. The body cannot tell the difference between real or fake laughter so we use the natural bodily response to take advantage of the physiological, emotional, psychological and spiritual effects of laughing.

Health Benefits

Blood & all major organs are fully oxygenated leaving us bursting with energy
Blood pressure drops, circulation improves and pulse rate drops
Depression is lifted, even chronic depression is often cured
High endorphin levels put us in a great mood and reduce any aches & pains
Immune, digestive & sexual systems that are switched off by stress are switched on
Self confidence is boosted, communication skills and creativity are boosted
Our lymphatic system is massaged and our immune systems boosted
Stress levels reduce by 75% or more and we become more stress resistant

Testimonials

“Laughter Yoga combines laughter with yogic breathing exercises. It is a perfect way to laugh and get exercise at the same time. It approaches laughter as a body exercise so it’s easy to laugh even if you’re depressed or in a bad mood. I’ve tried it, and it works.” Oprah Winfrey.

“IT WAS AMAZING. I didn’t even know it was possible to laugh like that without a reason. I was still laughing on my way out the door; it was great! …. It was like a breath of fresh air – on the inside AND out! My friends …. said they couldn’t even remember the last time I was that happy, giddy and lit up. There is a difference in feeling happy and actually being thoroughly happy. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I needed last night (and I didn’t even realize I needed it until I was experiencing it). The meditation was just invigorating! It reminded me that I can still laugh even when I want to cry”.

:Anonymous

Qualifications

Tod Whitehurst LYT LMT is a Laughing Yoga instructor and Licensed Massage Therapist.

In the fall of 2008 during a trip to the Ashram at Yogaville Tod experienced Laughter Yoga for the first time. His life transformed overnight and he soon became a laughing yoga leader through the instruction of his mentor Bharata Wingham. In late 2008 he formed the Laughter Club of the New River Valley where anyone can experience the benefits of intentional sustained laughter free of charge. He travels to libraries, corporate workplaces, hospitals, cancer centers, schools, churches and other venues to share this wonderfully healing therapy with the local community.

Tod is a graduate of the Laugh-a Yoga® Leader Certification program, the Laugh-a Yoga® Teacher Training course and has been a longtime teaching assistant for both the Laugh-a Yoga® Leader Certification and Laugh-a Yoga® Teacher Training programs. He is the founder of the Laughter Club of the New River Valley. Tod is also a graduate of Lynchburg College and The Blue Ridge School of Massage and Yoga he is licensed by the Virginia Board of Nursing.

Appointments

To make an appointment for a laughter yoga session please contact Tod Whitehurst at tod[at]laugh4u.org

Laughter Club of the NRV

(July 2021 Update)

The club is not currently meeting during the covid-19 pandemic. After the pandemic is over and we find a new location we will start back up. Till then remember. We don’t laugh at any one thing we laugh in-spite of everything.