Laughing Yoga is a proven way to bring people together and build positive experiences in the workplace. It teaches us to laugh for no reason!
Laughing uplifts, revitalises and helps us overcome conflict. It’s real and contagious – when one person laughs, it’s hard not to join in. Remember those moments after you’ve been lost in laughter and you suddenly feel more awake, happier and more alive?
Let Laughter workshops infuse your next event with those feel-good vibes.
In 1995, Dr. Madan Kataria (a formally qualified medical doctor) and his wife, Madhuri (a yoga teacher) developed Laughter Therapy.
They discovered our minds and bodies don’t recognise the difference between genuine laughter and “acting out” laughing. Through experiments with groups of people, Dr Kataria had participants laughing without anything to prompt them. The act of laughing (even when it’s not spontaneous) helps lower blood pressure, reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance social connections.
Dr Kataria observed that laughter triggers the release of endorphins, lifts mood, and reduces stress hormones such as cortisol. The guiding principle is refreshingly practical: act first, let the body catch up. Even simulated laughter produces genuine physiological benefits.
This is based on a simple and well-researched idea: the body responds to laughter whether it starts naturally or intentionally. This approach is an effective way to boost health and wellbeing at home or in the workplace through gentle laughter exercises.
These activities are especially valuable in workplaces, where energy levels, personalities, and physical capacity can vary. Guided laughter yoga sessions and interactive laughter workshops help teams connect while enhancing the mental benefits of laughter.
Our founder, Cris, has achieved the maximum level of training offered by Dr. Madan Kataria.
Laughter Yoga is a gentle wellbeing activity that blends intentional laughter with simple breathing techniques (known as Pranayama). It began as a from a doctor in Muimba, India – Dr Madan Kataria, and has since grown into a global movement practised in more than 100 countries.
Despite the name, this is not a fitness class in disguise. There’s no stretching, no poses, and no requirement to be “fit” in any conventional sense. Movements are light, optional, and adaptable. Laughter Yoga is designed to be accessible to people of all ages, abilities, and confidence levels. Through LaughterWorks, it’s open to everyone – including people who are quietly hoping they won’t be asked to do burpees.
Sessions are built around four consistent elements, all designed to feel safe, inclusive, and unintimidating:
Nothing requires athletic ability, flexibility, or a loud personality. Participants are free to engage at their own comfort level.
A typical session begins with light warm-ups and gradually introduces laughter exercises paired with breathing. Activities are playful rather than physical, and no one is singled out or put on the spot.
It can feel unusual at the start, especially for groups used to meetings instead of giggling—but most people relax quickly once they realise they’re not being judged or “tested”. Even when laughter begins deliberately, the body responds by releasing endorphins, improving heart rate variability, and supporting immune function.
Laughter yoga is widely used in workplaces, schools, hospitals, and community programs across the globe. Hospitals report reduced patient stress. Organisations see improved morale, engagement, and team connection. Councils and community groups use it to support mental health and social wellbeing.
It works across cultures, job titles, and fitness levels, which is exactly why it fits so well in professional settings.
Laughter Yoga supports wellbeing across psychological, physical, social, and workplace contexts, delivering powerful mental benefits of laughter without demanding physical exertion.
Psychological benefits
Physical benefits
Social & team benefits
Workplace Benefits
Picture this: You’re sitting with your coworkers, all a bit stiff, wondering how ridiculous you’ll feel in about 10 minutes. But then it starts — a few warm-up exercises like clapping and chanting, a little bit of “Ho-ho-ha-ha-ha” (trust me, it’s less weird than it sounds), and before you know it, everyone’s laughing like they just heard the best dad joke of the century.
In a laughing yoga session, you’ll engage in fun, playful exercises designed to get you laughing. There’s no need for jokes or comedy — it’s the act of laughter itself that does the trick. Eye contact, goofy movements,And a whole lot of deep breathing is part of the laughter yoga process. And the best part? The laughter becomes contagious. One person’s fake chuckle turns into another’s full-blown belly laugh, and soon the whole room is in stitches — highlighting the powerful mental benefits of laughter that come from shared, guided laughter exercises.
Laughter Works specializes in delivering high-energy sessions for workplaces, conferences, and offsites. Our trained facilitators know exactly how to engage your team, break the ice, and create a relaxed, positive atmosphere that fosters creativity and connection.
Laughter yoga is like the social lubricant your workplace never knew it needed—no awkward trust falls required! It’s a powerful way to boost psychological safety, the magic ingredient that makes people feel free to be themselves, share ideas, and take risks without worrying about being judged or looking like a fool (because, let’s be honest, everyone is giggling together anyway!).
During a laughing yoga session, everyone lets their guard down and embraces the playfulness, which naturally lowers social barriers and encourages genuine connection.
The act of laughing with colleagues—whether it’s at yourself or with each other—helps people feel more comfortable, relaxed, and accepted. Suddenly cracking up over a pretend milkshake or a laughter exercise gives everyone permission to be themselves and that’s when psychological safety kicks in.
People feel free to share their wacky, wonderful ideas without fear, knowing they’re in a judgment-free zone. By bringing laughing yoga into your workplace, you’re not just giving your team a fun time; you’re fostering an environment where creativity thrives, mistakes are no big deal, and people are comfortable being their true selves.
You made the whole thing easy and had me feeling so much at ease – thank you!
I have never felt so comfortable laughing out loud – at any time in my life.
– Peta H, COO.
Considering the priceless value of seeing your team laugh their heads off, laughter yoga sessions are surprisingly affordable – especially given the benefits of Laughter Yoga go on for many months after the laughing yoga session.
For larger corporate events, we offer customized packages to suit your needs. And remember, with Laughter Works, you’re getting seasoned professionals who know how to work with your team to get the most out of the experience.
Get in touch if you’d like us to give you an obligation free laughing yoga costing
ContactA typical laughter yoga session lasts between 30 – 40 minutes although they can go up to 60 minutes and as short as five! Cris Popp once ran a laughter session for 2,500 people at a conference just 5 minutes (ok – he did go 35 seconds over so technically it was 5:35).
Think of laughing yoga as short, joyful breaks between those endless strategy meetings. You can even opt for a “laughter lunch break” to energise the team before tackling the afternoon’s workload.
Some companies also include shorter, 15-20 minute “laughter bursts” during conferences or offsites to keep the energy high and the mood light. These are particularly effective when people start to hit that 3 p.m. slump. A ‘laughternoon refresher’ will do more than an espresso shot ever will!
Laughter works by fooling your brain into thinking everything is hilarious — even if you’re not feeling particularly amused at first. The combination of deep belly laughter and rhythmic breathing increases oxygen levels, reduces stress hormones like cortisol, and boosts those feel-good chemicals.
Think of it this way: It’s like hitting the gym for your soul, but without the sweat. After just a few minutes of laughter, you’ll start to feel a shift in your mood, as well as improved focus and creativity. So, whether you’re prepping for a big presentation or just trying to survive a long offsite, laughter yoga can make even the most serious workplace feel a little more like recess.
Here’s where it shines in the workplace. It’s perfect for:
Corporate team-building: Forget awkward trust falls. Laughter exercises bond your team in a way that’s genuinely fun.
Conferences and offsites: Break up the monotony with engaging laughter yoga sessions, keeping attendees energised and involved.
Quarterly get-togethers: Spice up your business reviews by kicking off the day with laughter workshops — and watch productivity soar!
Stress management programs: Ideal for wellness initiatives that promote the mental benefits of laughter and reduce workplace stress.
At Laughter Works, we’ve brought these programs to a range of events, from intimate team-building days to large-scale conferences, all with rave reviews. We know how to read the room and tailor the experience to your team’s unique needs.
Laughter yoga works for every organisation. Just ask yourself: does your organisation have people in it? Does laughter make them feel good and connect? Then laughing yoga will work.
We’ve worked with organisations as small as three staff to some of the biggest and most innovative companies in the world, including major corporations, healthcare providers, educational institutions, nonprofits, retail, shops, banks, insurance, surgeons, nurses, journalists, associations, construction, transport etc. Check out our client list elsewhere on the site. Google, Hewlett-Packard, and numerous businesses have all embraced laughing yoga to improve team cohesion, reduce stress, and inject a little fun into the workday.
No matter the size of your organisation, Laughter Works has the experience to ensure a successful, laughter-filled event that will leave a lasting impact on your team.
If you got any doubts or questions – get in touch and we’ll happily answer your queries.
Extremely well – just check out the testimonials. At first, some participants may feel a little awkward (laughter without humor is a new concept, after all). But after a few minutes, the ice breaks, and soon the whole room is laughing like they’ve known each other for years. The most common feedback from participants is that they leave feeling energised, stress-free, and surprisingly connected to their coworkers.
People often report feeling like they’ve had a “laughter detox” — cleansing their minds of workplace worries and walking out with a clear, happy head.
Let’s be honest: Some people feel weird about laughing on command. If this happens, no worries! Laughter yoga is all about creating a safe, non-judgmental space where people can relax at their own pace. There’s no pressure to participate beyond what feels comfortable, and facilitators are trained to make everyone feel at ease.
Besides, your brain is full of “mirror neurons” – these neurons mirror the actions of someone else. So when you see and hear other people laughing, it sets off your own laughter response. With laughing yoga it only takes a few minutes of watching others laugh before everyone wants to join in naturally. Even the most reserved person can’t resist a good belly laugh once the group gets going.
Maybe it’s better to ask “What events is laughing yoga unsuitable for?” We’ve never come across a situation that laughter yoga wouldn’t improve – maybe a funeral? But even then ….
We even had people booking a laughing yoga session with us after a terminal cancer diagnosis! They said they wanted to spend their remaining days happy.
On a lighter note laughter yoga is perfect for:
With Laughter Works, we’ve helped teams bond, relieve stress, and even kick-start creativity at events ranging from leadership offsites to school wellness programs.
There are three times re-recommended in order of preference:
Laughing yoga is ideal any time people need a break or a pick-me-up. For conferences, try a laughter yoga session between heavy presentations to re-energise the crowd. And during team offsites, schedule it after lunch to ward off those inevitable post-lunch yawns.
No! In fact we pride ourselves on having laughter sessions where you don’t have to act silly. Our laughing yoga routine is especially designed to encourage playfulness and fun. Think of it as permission to let your hair down and get silly with no judgment. You won’t have to act like a clown, but a little lighthearted goofiness is part of the magic. It’s all in good fun, and your coworkers will be right there with you.
When it comes to laughing yoga for your organisation – you want the best in the business —professionals who know how to engage a group, break the ice, and turn a room full of colleagues into a laughing, cohesive team. That’s where Laughter Works comes in.
With over 20 years of experience, led by Cris Popp, we are Australia’s leading provider of laughing yoga for workplaces, conferences, offsites, and team-building events. Our trained facilitators, available across Australia, have the expertise to adapt to any group size, event type, or corporate setting. We’ve worked with countless Australian businesses, and our sessions consistently receive rave reviews for their ability to reduce stress, increase team cohesion, and inject fun into the workplace. Just check out our many Google five-star reviews.
Don’t trust your team’s laughter and wellness to amateurs—choose Laughter Works for a professionally-led, impactful experience that will leave your team feeling uplifted, connected, and stress-free.
Laughing is like the Swiss Army knife of corporate wellness—it’s fantastic on its own, but if you want to get fancy, you can easily pair it with something else for an even bigger impact. It really depends on how much joy (and laughter) you want to squeeze into your event.
If you’re after a quick energy boost to get your team giggling and de-stressed, Laughter as a standalone session is a total winner. It’s the perfect antidote to mid-day slumps or the perfect way to end your event on a high (without the sugar rush of a cupcake). Whether you need a mid-conference pick-me-up or want to leave everyone smiling at the end of the day, laughter on its own can turn a room full of weary workers into a squad of happy humans.
But hey, if you’re in the mood to get a little extra, why not combine laughter with some deep insights? Our most popular mash-up is laughter paired with Cris Popp’s keynote, “Happy Hour is 9-to-5.” This dynamic duo shows your team how happiness and productivity can be BFFs. Together, they create a powerful blend of fun, inspiration, and useful tips that will stick with your team longer than that leftover conference swag.
So, whether you’re looking for a stand-alone laughter boost or a full-blown event with both laughs and lessons, Laughter Works can cook up the perfect mix for your team!
Imagine a workplace where your team meetings start with belly laughs instead of PowerPoints, where stress evaporates faster than an email reply, and where the phrase “team-building” doesn’t make everyone groan.
Welcome to the world of laughter yoga — a fun, stress-busting experience delivered through engaging laughter workshops and energising laughter exercises that are revolutionising workplaces, conferences, and corporate offsites across Australia, all led by the expert facilitators at Laughter Works.
With more than 20 years of experience, Cris Popp and the Laughter Works team have been at the forefront of bringing joy and stress relief into workplaces.
Whether it’s quarterly get-togethers, corporate wellness programs, or team-building sessions, we’ve been making Australian teams happier, healthier, and more productive. And the best part? It always works – laughter is the shortest distance between two people.
What is laughing yoga, and why are organisations everywhere choosing it to boost morale and reduce stress? Dive in and explore how Laughter Works can make your workplace a happier, more productive place.
A growing body of research demonstrates measurable physical and psychological benefits from Laughter Yoga. Studies published in The International Journal of Yoga report reduced stress hormone levels, improved pain tolerance, and improved mood after only a small number of sessions.
From a physiological perspective, laughter stimulates the vagus nerve, increasing parasympathetic nervous system activity. This supports a calmer heart rate, reduced blood pressure, and the release of endorphins and dopamine. It also activates natural killer cells, which play a role in immune health.
Research outcomes include:
Intentional laughter produces these effects just as reliably as spontaneous laughter, making the benefits accessible regardless of fitness, confidence, or prior experience.
You don’t need to be fit. You don’t need to be funny. And no one is asked to perform.
Send us an inquiry now and see how quickly a room shifts when laughter is used thoughtfully, safely, and with purpose.
