WLT

In the modern era of humor and laughter, USA Laughter Clubs and other laughter clubs around the world
represent something new and different.
We are now able to bring the world a revival of an ancient prescription,with a modern twist;
a unique combination of systematic methods, information to improve physical health and emotional balance,
and a socially conscious value system.

When Steve Wilson witnessed the phenomenal interest in laughter clubs in India,
and saw the clubs in action there,he realized that this deserved to be called a breakthrough.

Everything Old Is New Again

The so-called humor & laughter movement has been going strong for many years.

Some date efforts to promote the positive uses of humor and laughter
back 5,000 years to Tibetan Buddhist laughter practices.
Others identify the onset of the modern movement with the publication of
Norman Cousin’s “Anatomy of an Illness As Perceived by the Patient.”
Whatever you think about when it all started,
the laughter club is the most recent and practical contribution to the humor & laughter movement.

Some of us, and our best friends, have been in the movement for twenty years or more.
We come from every walk of life, including speakers, clowns,clergy, educators, stand-up comedians,
trainers, writers,consultants, researchers, healthcare professionals, and more.

For us, the Laughter Club concept offers something new and different
because it allows us to bring new ideas to our “audiences”
and new ways to get audiences involved in our programs
and taking greater responsibility for their own health and well-being.
This new concept adds a new dimension to all the good work and important ideas
that we have been teaching up till now.
We have read the books and articles, attended the conferences and workshops,
and learned a lot of good ideas and information
for helping people bring more humor and laughter into theirs lives.
We have learned from clowns and scholars and even an occasional scholar-clown.
We have heard humorists, comedians, actors, ministers, physicians,
business people and more, hold forth on the importance of humor and laughter.
Although some get carried away with enthusiasm, and the claims get somewhat exaggerated,
by and large the information is worthwhile,and many of the presentations are downright hilarious.

And still, Laughter Clubs are different.
For the first time we have an economical and highly practical application of theories
that are being proved correct every day.
It is now indisputable that laughter plays a role in healing, staying healthy,
controlling stress reactions, and maintaining emotional balance.
We believe that when enough people have enough of the spirit of laughter, the world will be more peaceful.

What Makes the Therapeutic Laughter of Laughter Club Different
From Other Humorous And Laughter-Filled Activities?

Laughter Clubs utilize a systematic activity approach that is based on a foundation
of both ancient practices, such as yoga & meditation, and modern medical science.

Members of Laughter Clubs are engaged as active and interactive participants
not a passive audience being entertained.

Laughter Clubs promote laughter as a genuine form of exercise.

The therapeutic laughter program called the Laughter Club
makes the natural and positive power of laughter a widely accessible health option,
in long-term care for example, through the work of professional Activity and Recreation Therapists.

The Laughter Club can be applied in communities as a form of social glue.

In this method, laughter is evoked by “self-starting” not by humor, jokes or comedy.

One does not need to have a sense of humor in order to laugh.
In fact, over a period of time,
participation in Laughter Clubs appears to have the effect of improving the sense of humor.

Most often the laughter activity takes place in a group
that comes together with a commonpurpose that provides social support.

Laughter Clubs’ therapeutic model can be learned; leaders can be trained.
Trained leaders demonstrate, motivate, educate, and inspire groups.

Even people who claim to be completely devoid of a sense of humor
can enjoy and benefit from Laughter Clubs.

When there is humor in a laughter club session, it is most often a spontaneous occurrence the group,
but it is not forced, expected or required.

Humor is personal and subjective; laughter is universal.

When jokes are used to evoke laughter, many people don’t get the joke, or don’t like the joke.

Using jokes runs the risk of being offensive or hurtful.
Laughter Clubs operate on a value system that minimizes and eliminates the risk.

Humor is difficult to define, as “funniness’ is almost impossible to measure.
The physiological changes that accompany laughter are relatively easy to measure accurately,
and the benefits can be observed and studied more readily.

Unlike comedy routines, Laughter Clubs can be repeated as often as you like
without becoming stale or boring.

Because we have a common method and shared values, laughter club leaders and members
can form a global network to share ideas and to give each other encouragement and inspiration.

Through the network of leaders and members, the method will improve continuously,
inventing new exercises and activities as well as discovering necessary cultural adaptations.

Laughter Clubs are open to everyone; nobody is excluded.

Laughter Clubs are non-political, non-religious, non-exploitive.

The systematic therapeutic laughter methods are adaptable to all ages, backgrounds,
and even adapt to various physical and mental (cognitive) limitations.

Systematic therapeutic laughter methods address body, mind, and spirit.

Certified Laughter Leaders operate with ethical guidelines.

Through the Spirit of Laughter, participants in Laughter Clubs achieve better balance of emotions,
reduce the harmful effects of stress,release harmful anger and judgmentalism,
and find a path to world peace.

Laughter Clubs promote observances of World Laughter Day (the first Sunday in May)

Because there is a common method, philosophy, and values,
Laughter Clubs link members and enthusiasts all around the world.

Laughter Clubs are not limited by language differences. Laughter has no accent.

Laughter Clubs provide a sense of belonging and of being involved in a worthwhile cause.

World Laughter Tour
This info is directly from the WLT website.
Check it out at: www.worldlaughtertour.com

I was fortunate enough to take my
        Certified Laughter Leader Training
                 in 2004 with Steve Wilson.
    It changed my life wonderfully, positively,
and connected me with Laughter Leaders
and great laughter folks from all over !
   I HIGHLY recommend this for everyone !