Laughter Yoga Leader Training

Christchurch: 12-13 September 2026, Mary Potter Community Centre

Price: Early Bird Price $575 (ends 14 August 2026). Full price $675 (limited spaces available)

To register please fill out this form. Download a flyer here.

This experiential (and often life-transforming) workshop is ideal for personal development and anyone interested in running a Laughter Yoga group (certification upon completion of workshop).

Laughter yoga is a form of exercise that combines laughter exercises with deep diaphragmatic breathing techniques. It was developed by Dr. Madan Kataria, a medical doctor, in 1995 and is used as a way to reduce stress, promote wellbeing and relaxation and alleviate anxiety.

Incorporating laughter into your daily life can be a valuable tool for promoting physical and mental health, in part due to its influence on the vagus nerve and the parasympathetic nervous system.

Laughter is our body’s natural antidote to stress.

Over this 2 day transformational workshop, we will be covering:

Laughter Yoga: history, concept, philosophy
Health benefits of laughter
Stress, anxiety and laughter
Laughter session(s)
Laughter Leader facilitation skills
How to start a community laughter club
Laughing alone; with mental health support groups; in aged care facilities; people with addictions; people with disabilities; and schools
Relaxation techniques (diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness)

Start a community Laughter Club
Take laughter into workplaces
Share with clients
Take laughter into aged care
Share laughter with people with disabilities
Take laughter into domestic violence centres
Share laughter with people in recovery
Take laughter groups for mental fitness
Share with prisoners

Laughter and the vagus nerve are interconnected in several ways. The vagus nerve, also

known as the tenth cranial nerve plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily

functions, including heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate. It has both sensory and

motor functions and is a key component of the parasympathetic nervous system, often

referred to as the "rest and digest" system.

Here's how laughter and the vagus nerve are related:

Stress Reduction: Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural
feel-good chemicals and increases the production of neurotransmitters like
dopamine and serotonin, which play a role in regulating mood. When you laugh
heartily, it stimulates the vagus nerve, promoting the parasympathetic response.
This helps reduce stress and promote relaxation, counteracting the effects of the
sympathetic nervous system (the "fight or flight" response).
Improved Heart Rate Variability: Laughter can increase heart rate variability
(HRV), which is a measure of the variability in time between successive heartbeats.
A higher HRV indicates a healthier autonomic nervous system balance, with the
vagus nerve playing a significant role in regulating this variability. Improved HRV is
associated with better overall health and resilience to stress.
Enhanced Digestion: The vagus nerve influences digestive processes, including the production of stomach acid, enzyme secretion, and peristalsis (the muscular contractions that move food through the digestive tract). Laughter can stimulate the vagus nerve, which may aid in digestion and reduce symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort.
Social Bonding: Laughter is often a social activity, and shared laughter can strengthen social connections and build trust. The vagus nerve is involved in the physiological response to social bonding and feelings of safety. When you laugh with others, it activates the vagus nerve and enhances social bonding and feelings of connectedness.
Pain Relief: Laughter has been shown to have a mild analgesic (pain-relieving) effect through the release of endorphins. The vagus nerve is involved in pain modulation, and its activation during laughter may contribute to this pain relief.
Respiratory Benefits: Laughter involves deep and diaphragmatic breathing, which stimulates the vagus nerve and enhances its function. This helps improve respiratory health and lung function.