The inspiring stories and experiences of laughter yoga professionals from around the world are chronicled in a new book by a Bahrain resident being released today.
The book, 55 Laughter Yogis, is the second by Keyem Thomas who has lived in the kingdom for more than 30 years and is a certified laughter yoga instructor himself.
Laughter yoga is a global exercise programme which includes three elements – laughter and playfulness, yoga breath work and mindful meditation.
The practice is based on the belief that voluntary laughter provides similar psychological benefits as spontaneous laughter.
The personalities featured in the book hail from around 40 countries. Some of the countries include 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 and Canada, among others.
“Compiling these stories has been a long-cherished dream of mine,” Mr Thomas, aged 62, told the GDN.
Mr Thomas
“These laughter yogis have embraced a life mission of bringing laughter and happiness to others, and each of them possesses a unique and inspiring tale which the world deserves to hear.
“The primary objective of this book is to showcase the transformative power of laughter yoga and how it has impacted the lives of countless individuals,” added the Indian national.
The 262-page book, available on Amazon and Kindle, touches on how the featured personalities overcame challenges including illnesses such as depression, anger issues and stress due to professional and financial problems and reproductive infertility.
It also serves as a ‘beacon of inspiration’ and encourages readers to crack a smile in difficult situations and to take steps to invite more joy in their lives.
“In our fast-paced and demanding world we often become consumed by responsibilities, societal pressures and our own expectations,” said Mr Thomas, adding that allowing for some laughter and joy can lead to happier days.
“In this book, readers will discover the importance of pausing, taking a breath and allowing laughter to permeate their lives.”
The book also acts as a guide for discovering practical tools and methods that allow people to maintain a sense of humour even in the face of adversity.
It also encourages readers to embrace their individualities and ‘learn to dance with the uncertainties that life presents’.
The book is not just a source of amusement, but a powerful tool for promoting health, happiness and fostering world peace – a central mission of laughter yoga.
Mr Thomas has been a certified laughter yoga instructor and practitioner for 12 years. He also works as a training manager at a private firm to develop effective training programmes and empower individuals to reach their full potential.
His first book, Laugh at Yourself, Find Joy in Life, released last year explored the transformative power of laughter and its ‘profound impact on our lives’.
The book’s Italian version was published in January this year.
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