Strange thing to discuss you might think but have you ever asked yourself why some things really hit the ‘giggle spot’ for you but don’t even raise an eyebrow for others?  Some people laugh at the slightest thing whereas others remain pan-faced.

Maybe it’s a cultural thing, the way people interact with each other.  British people are often described as having a ‘stiff upper lip’ and remain serious whereas in Denmark in the year 2000, 10,000 people attended a Laughter Rally in Copenhagen.

When I run my Laughter Yoga trainings, one of the first things I ask students is to give me a list of what stops people laughing … so many inhibitions appear.  Whereas, when asked for a list that makes them laugh, the list is equally long – but full of mischief and joy.

There again, laughter through comedy comes about through having a scenario for people to find ‘funny’, having a ‘reason’ to laugh.  Whereas with laughter Yoga it is intentional laughter that comes from the heart from pure joy – ‘’joie de vivre’.

For people who have never tried Laughter Yoga, they find it quite daunting … to laugh for ‘no reason’.  They feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, foolish – until they find they are amongst a group of people in the same situation who allow their guard to drop and ‘let go’ of their inhibitions.  The laughter flows and they feel …. Amazing!

Because it feels so natural for me to laugh at the slightest opportunity, I sometimes forget how disarming it can feel for people new to the concept.  Karen Siugzda, a Laughter professional from USA demonstrated ‘Comfort Zone’ laughter where participants are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone to try laughter without a reason.

Here are two lists – one showing reasons people find it hard to laugh and the other where it feels so natural to laugh:

We are all different and that’s what makes life such an interesting melting pot.

Can you think of any more examples for either list? 

Can you relate to some or any of the examples?

There’s no right or wrong – just whatever feels right to you.

You might have noticed that Empathy appears in both lists as it is a way of demonstrating our emotions to be acceptable in both camps.