Laughter yoga for the soul

Have you laughed today? No, then do it!

Always a smile on her face. Anika Bruckner is a laughter yoga teacher.(Bild: Anika Bruckner)

Anika Bruckner is Burgenland's first laughter yoga teacher. At the 1st Graz Laughter Day, which the 33-year-old from southern Burgenland is organizing on 5 May, visitors can find out how laughter yoga can bring more joie de vivre, reduce stress and restore a positive attitude in difficult phases of life.

Laughter is the best medicine, they say, because with laughter comes well-being. Laughter also relaxes - not only the psyche, but also the muscles. Laughter improves breathing and reduces stress hormones, thus preventing stress-related illnesses. It also promotes blood circulation and thus the supply of oxygen to the brain.

Her training as a laughter yoga teacher also took Anika Bruckner to India, to the guru of laughter Dr. Madan Kadaria and his wife Madhuri.(Bild: Anika Bruckner)

By chance to the "guru of laughter"
Anika Bruckner from Riedlingsdorf is also kissed by a permanent grin on her face and as a trained laughter yoga teacher, she must know why laughter is so healthy and why you should laugh every day, even for no reason. It was pure coincidence that brought the now 33-year-old to laughter yoga on a trip around the world four years ago. After stops in Singapore and Australia, she also trained with the "guru of laughter", Dr. Madan Kadaria, in India. "I am particularly proud of this and it sets me apart from many laughter yogis," she says.

Laughter yoga does not mean contorting yourself
But laughter yoga also differs from traditional yoga. "Laughter yoga is not about contorting yourself, but about using your motor skills, stretching and breathing exercises to make you laugh. Eye contact also plays a major role," explains Bruckner, who has long since made laughter yoga her profession. A positive side effect: in addition to releasing happiness hormones, laughter yoga also has a positive effect on breathing and you burn as many calories in 10 minutes of laughter as you would during a full-body workout.

More well-being and less stress
The Riedlingsdorf native passes on her knowledge in seminars and laughter clubs, helping people to feel better. Her laughter yoga courses are particularly popular with companies. "Just one minute of laughter increases motivation and reduces stress levels many times over," says the laughter yoga teacher.

Good for people with mental illnesses
Humor therapy also has a positive effect on people with mental illnesses or depression, "because laughter changes your perspective," explains Bruckner.

Laughing together on the 1st Graz Laughter Day
Anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the world of laughter will have the opportunity to see for themselves at the 1st Graz Laughter Day on May 5 (11 am to 6 pm) at Casa Anada. "It will be a day full of joy, laughter and positive energy," says Anika Bruckner. More information: all-around-anika.jimdofree.com