Awakening Joy with Laughter

In-Person Workshop

Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 1:00 – 2:30 PM EST:  Click here to register 

Awakening Joy with Laughter

This program will introduce the benefits of laughter as a fun and effective practice to manage the day-to-day stress in our busy lives and to incorporate more heartfelt joy and playfulness in our life. Laughter is simulated through a series of simple and fun exercises in a group setting.

Laughter Yoga is a promising and evidence-based practice that we have centered within applied positive psychology and a trauma-informed framework. Participants will be invited to experience laughter in an inclusive and psychologically safe environment. We will gently approach the boundaries of our comfort zones and witness how we all can apprehend and connect to joy and gently hold positive emotions with increasing ease in our bodies.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the value of laughter and generating positive emotions in your life.
• Skillfully engaging mindfulness as a foundation to cultivate presence, self-compassion, and appreciate joy in your life.
• Experience a variety of laughter yoga exercises to enhance resilience and enhancing a joyful well-being.
• Create and nurture deeper and more joyful connections with others.

Who can participate in Laughter Yoga?

Almost everyone can participate in a Laughter Yoga session. However, there are certain conditions for which this session may not be suitable. Please review the conditions listed below—if any apply to you, consult your doctor or healthcare practitioner before participating.

Everyone will be reminded to stay safe and to explore the practice gently. Some physical exertion and an increase in intra-abdominal pressure can be expected. Laughter Yoga is a form of cardiovascular exercise!

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Advanced heart disease
• Major surgery within the last three months
• Epilepsy
• Complications associated with hemorrhoids
• Any persistent cough
• Incontinence of urine
• Severe backache
• Any kind of uncorrected hernia
• Active psychosis / paranoid ideation

This workshop is for artists of all disciplines

About the Presentation Facilitator

Steven Hughes, M.Ed., became a certified Laughter Yoga Leader with Laughter Yoga International in 2009. Steven worked as an Education Specialist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto for over 35 years.

Steven integrates his interests and that include transformative learning, applied positive psychology, dialogue methods, contemplative neuroscience, mindfulness, and wellness-based modalities that assist individuals to cultivate self-awareness and unlock their full potential and make their own unique and valued contributions to the world.