At the heart of it, Laughter Yoga is a fun and healthy exercise activity, with enormous benefits to body and mind. And just like all exercises, there may be contraindications to Laughter Yoga. At certain times people have conditions that mean they should take it easy – or not participate in Laughter Yoga.
Contraindications of Laughter Yoga.
Like any form of aerobic exercise, Laughter Yoga should not be practised by people with medical problems without first taking advice from their medical practitioner. Laughter yoga should not be considered as a substitute for proper medical consultation for physical, mental and psychological illnesses.
Contraindications of Laughter Yoga
Laughing involves some physical strain and a rise in intra-abdominal pressure. It is contraindicated for people with:
- Advanced (bleeding) piles
- Any kind of hernia
- Any persistent cough
- Anything with acute symptoms
- Epilepsy
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Incontinence of urine
- Major psychiatric disorders
- Severe backache
- Having undergone surgery within the last 3 months
- First or third trimester of pregnancy, and before 8 weeks after birth
This list is for guidance only and is not meant to be exhaustive. If in doubt, first consult a trained medical professional for guidance. Please take responsibility for your own health and wellbeing, and make relevant and appropriate adjustments. Anyone already undergoing physician-prescribed therapy should seek the advice of their doctor before reducing or stopping such treatment.
Ultimately Laughter Yoga is about taking responsibility for yourself. If you ever feel any pain or discomfort when doing Laughter Yoga, you should most certainly stop immediately and/or advise the leader if you require help.
NOTE: These are the Contraindications as provided by Dr Madan Kataria at Laughteryoga.org. If you need to double-check current contraindications please look at the www.laughteryoga.org website.
ONLINE GUIDANCE:
With an online course or session, the instructor cannot do a health and safety risk assessment in person, so this is asking you to make that assessment, to help you, please check that you can agree with each question below.
- There is a minimum of 2mSq of floor space and a minimum 2 metre clearance from floor to ceiling per participant in the room upon which they are undertaking the course.
- There is no glass, china or other breakable material that may lead to injury in the room in which they are undertaking the course for the duration of the course.
- For any participants aged under 16, an appropriate adult (parent/carer aged 18+) must be present in the room at the same time.
- If the participant is unable to follow the instructor’s instructions they should cease the class immediately until it is possible to ask the instructor for further guidance
- You have made clear to the instructor if you have any special requirements
- In the event that you need assistance, you have pre-informed the instructor of someone who can get to you quickly and you have provided the instructor with their name and telephone number. If this is not possible, that you have provided your full address in advance of the session.
