The Healing Power of Laughter in Yoga
The other day, in the middle of a Kundalini yoga class, I asked everyone to… just start laughing.
At first, there was hesitation—nervous glances, polite smiles, and a little uncertainty about whether I was serious. Then came the hint of ridiculousness, the kind where you feel your face wanting to let go but your mind still tries to hold on. And then… something beautiful happened. The room erupted into pure, unfiltered laughter. The kind that takes over your whole body and makes you forget you’re “supposed” to be serious.
Afterwards, a student said to me, “Wow, we forget as adults how to be silly. That felt amazing!”
Why Laughter is More Than Just Fun
Science has shown us that laughter is far more than a fleeting moment of joy. When we laugh:
Our stress hormones (like cortisol) drop.
Our immune system gets a boost through increased antibody production.
Our brain releases endorphins, those feel-good chemicals that enhance mood.
Our parasympathetic nervous system is activated, helping us shift out of “fight or flight” into “rest and restore.”
Remember those studies showing that even faking a smile can improve your mood? Laughter takes it deeper—it’s a full-body expression that shakes loose emotional tension and creates physiological change.
Laughter as Energetic Medicine
In Kundalini yoga, we talk about moving energy—prana—through the body. Often, stress, trauma, or daily pressures cause our energy to stagnate. This can leave us feeling heavy, anxious, or disconnected. Laughter acts like an energetic broom, sweeping through the chakras and clearing away what’s stuck:
Root & Sacral Chakras – releasing fear and emotional heaviness.
Solar Plexus – unlocking confidence and personal power.
Heart Chakra – opening us to joy, connection, and compassion.
Throat Chakra – freeing self-expression (laughter literally uses the voice!).
Kundalini Yoga: Acupuncture Without the Needles
I often say Kundalini yoga is like acupuncture without the needles. In acupuncture, we stimulate energetic meridians with fine needles to restore balance and flow. In Kundalini, we do the same thing using breath, movement, chanting, and yes—sometimes laughter. Each kriya, mantra, and breath pattern is designed to stimulate specific pathways in the body, shifting energy where it’s most needed.
Reclaiming Our Joy in a Chaotic World
Amidst today’s seemingly chaotic world, joy can feel like a luxury. But laughter is a gift you can access at any time—no props, no perfect circumstances required. All it takes is permission.
So here’s your invitation:
Bring back your voice.
Bring back your laughter.
Let yourself be silly.
Because in that moment when you’re laughing without restraint, you’re not just having fun—you’re healing.
