2008 World Laughter Day

Date: Sunday 4th May 2007
Time: 11am - 12noon
Venue: Bosham Quay Measdom in Bosham
Cost: Donations collected for ‘Children on the Edge’

WORLD LAUGHTER DAY 2008 IN BOSHAM, NR CHICHESTER

Planned at very short notice new Laughter Network Associate Lisa Sturge did a wonderful job of attracting nearly 50 little kids and big kids to come and laugh together in the stunning setting of Bosham Meadow Quay. The National Trust were happy to grant permission for the site to be used for this special occasion.

The sun was doing its best to shine as Lisa arrived and pinned big, bright red balloons to a beautiful tree that was to be the backdrop to the WORLD LAUGHTER DAY EVENT.

With two young children of her own, Lisa knew how important it was to get going, so we started off, shortly after 11 am with some laughter sounds moving around our bodies and laughed like Santa Claus, then danced around the tree singing “ho ho, ha ha ha”. The yachtsmen who were out on the water didn’t quite know what to make of it, but a few of the younger ones came to join us. We laughed like a pirate and started up our motor boat engines with laughter. Everyone enjoyed the ‘Little Green Frog’ song and was then ready for a lie down and laughter meditation. Not that easy to relax with children climbing all over you but some adults managed a few minutes peace. What a stunning setting.

I have never been anywhere quite like it and hope to make it an annual event there.

Date: Sunday 4th May 2008
Time: 1pm - 3pm
Venue: Verulamium Park in St. Albans
Cost: no charge - charity donations welcome

HO HO HA HA HA!
HEE HEE HU HU HU!

World Laughter Day was held around the world on 4th May!

In the UK Brighton and St. Albans laughed!

Laughing in all the different time zones it seems the Earth was laughing non-stop for 24 hours.

Now, that was an amazing thought!

People gathered to laugh for peace, joy and happiness.

World Laughter Day was first introduced in 1998 by Dr. Madan Kataria. Since then the day has been held on the first Sunday of May to encourage World Peace through Laughter.

For more information and details of the World Laughter Day 2009 please visit www.unitedmind.co.uk.

World Laughter Day Message From Dr Madan Kataria, founder of Laughter Yoga.

For release Sunday 4 May 2008 - World Laughter Day

"Dear Laughter friends,

Today is World Laughter Day and a very auspicious day for the whole planet.

Our mission is to bring good Health, Joy and World Peace through laughter.

Thousands of people are gathering around the world to show solidarity and commitment towards this goal.

We are more prosperous today than 50 years ago.

We are also 10 times more stressed, sad, lonely and depressed.

Depression is the number one sickness, while stress continues to be a major cause of 70 to 80% of all illness.

There is a sharp rise in the incidence of cancer and heart diseases.

According to medical research, the root cause of most of our sickness is lack of oxygen in our body cells.

Laughter Yoga is an effective routine that brings complete physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing by instantly reducing stress, bringing more oxygen, strengthening the immune system, fighting depression and creating a network of caring and sharing society.

Joyfulness

The quality of life is greatly influenced by your mood states at a given time.

You are not at your best when not in a good mood even though you may be brilliant.

 Laughter Yoga has the power to change the mood state and attitude from negative to positive within minutes.

Once the mood is good from within, the whole perspective towards situations and people changes and the world seems fantastic and worthwhile.

Laughter Yoga is not about happiness.

It is about joy.

While happiness is complex mental decision and depends upon many life conditions, joy is a physical phenomenon that can be created at will even if you are not feeling good.

It is easy to become joyful through laughter exercises and develop our childlike playfulness.

Joyfulness through laughter is the fastest way to create a positive state of mind.

Joy teaches us to enjoy what we have today and every day.

It gives life a new purpose and meaning. It makes the world seem a better place.

World Peace Through Laughter

Laughter is a universal language that brings together people from all over the world.

The way laughter clubs are spreading leaves me with no doubt that laughter is a common link between all nations.

Practicing Yogic laughter and the ways and means of sensible living brings peace within us as well as in the outside world.

Laughter clubs help to develop a social network and create a global consciousness of brotherhood and friendship.

Laughter is a positive energy.

It creates a positive mental attitude and brings openness, generosity and willingness to help others.

It shows us that people need to be loved and cherished - One needs to make peace not war.

On this auspicious day, I appeal to all to spread out your arms and laugh unconditionally for a minute sending vibrations of peace, love and freedom into the Universe.

Do not harbour feelings of hatred and dislike; cultivate positive thoughts of love and harmony.

It is not possible to remove negativity, violence and terrorism through war. War brings more war.

In accordance with the principles of ancient wisdom, you can never remove darkness from this world. Darkness does not have identity. A small spark of light in a dark room makes darkness disappear, while a small patch of darkness cannot affect the light in a room….

So spread the light of laughter and help dissipate the darkness both within one’s soul and outside in the world.

Laugh and Laughter

Ho Ho Ha Ha Ha

Dr. Madan Kataria The Founder of Laughter Yoga Clubs Movement