Tolonen, who introduced the laughter yoga in Finland eight years ago, says she wishes more people would embrace the positive effects of laughter.
“Laughter can help seriously ill people as well as those with minor problems,” she says. “I’ve laughed with many different groups, including the blind and deaf, who laugh like everyone else.”
While laughter yoga is considered exercise, it does not incorporate any asanas, or body postures. Laughter exercises are easy, says Tolonen, who assures anyone can take up the practice.
“Laughter yoga is about training the mind. Breathing is the foundation of all yoga exercises and laughter is a strong form of breathing,” she explains.
Tolonen encourages people to laugh out loud every day.
“Everyone can get on their back and laugh for ten minutes. It can even help beat the winter blues,” she says.
