A NEW book documenting the lives and experiences of 50 laughter yoga professionals from Bahrain and around the world is set to hit the shelves in the first week of May, coinciding with World Laughter Day on May 5.
50 Laughter Yogis, edited and compiled by the kingdom’s laughter ambassador Keyem Thomas, features the inspiring stories and wisdom of ‘remarkable individuals who have embraced laughter as a way of life’.
Laughter yoga or ‘hasyayoga’ is a global laughter exercise programme, which includes three elements: laughter and playfulness, yogic breath work and mindful meditation.
The practice is based on the belief that voluntary laughter provides similar physiological and psychological benefits as spontaneous laughter.
The book’s contributors are from around 40 countries including India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, Russia, Türkiye, the UAE, Serbia, France, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, the UK, Italy, Uruguay, Columbia, Mexico, Cyprus, Tunisia, the US, Canada and more.
The Bahrain entry is by Mr Thomas himself who first dabbled into the practice back in 2003 at a session hosted by the Kerala Catholic Association’s laughter yoga club.
The book explores the lives of contributors before they started laughing to order. It also follows their journey and outlines the way it has positively changed their lives.
The narratives also touch upon how they overcame challenges including illnesses, depression, anger issues, stress due to professional and financial problems and reproductive infertility, among others, thanks to the benefits of laughter yoga.
One of the stories is by someone who attempted suicide but whose life was transformed after she took up the practice.
The contributors are mostly aged between 30 and 70. They currently inspire others through their experiences, introducing the practice in their communities by facilitating sessions in different locations.
Mr Thomas has been a certified laughter yoga instructor and practitioner for around 12 years – he completed his training as an instructor in 2011 under the guidance of Laughter Yoga International co-founder Dr Madan Kataria who brought the practice to the mainstream in the nineties, along with his wife, Madhuri.
Last year, Mr Thomas, 62, attained his certification as a master trainer, the highest level for the practice with less than 100 people ranked around the world. Master trainers are qualified to train and certify others as laughter yoga teachers and leaders.
“This is another milestone in my journey as a laughter yoga practitioner,” the event management professional told the GDN. “I sincerely hope that readers can learn from the experiences of these remarkable individuals.
“More and more people in the kingdom have been turning to laughter yoga. It is heartening to know that it’s practised in schools, social clubs, old age homes, offices and other places, considering it has so many benefits especially given the stressful lives we lead these days.
“My experience putting this book together has been so rewarding. When we look at people, we think they are happy but it’s when we learn about their lives we realise they are going through challenges just like us, which gives us hope and courage to face our own. It’s also inspiring to see how these people have turned a new leaf after embracing laughter yoga.”
Earlier this year, the GDN reported on the release of Mr Thomas’ multi-lingual book entitled Laugh at Yourself and find JOY in LIFE, which is a practical and engaging guide to discover the power of humour and laughter in daily life, leading to a more joyful and fulfilling existence.
The Segaiya resident organises 45-minute-long online laugher yoga sessions every Friday at 9am. He has plans to organise a physical meeting to mark World Laughter Day, in addition to realising his new book, which will be available for purchase on Amazon.
- For more details, follow @laughteryogabahrain on Instagram.
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