Laughter: the universal language of understanding
Integration, breaking the ice, building trust and strengthening self-esteem and self-acceptance.
Duration: 50 minutes. Introduction: 15 minutes. Laughter session: 30 minutes. Wrap-up: 5 minutes.
Difficulty level: 2/5
Preparation
Chairs in a circle
Introduction
Invite participants to sit in a circle, ensuring there is enough space for everyone to move their arms freely. Begin with a few sentences highlighting the importance of laughter for well-being:
Laughter boosts immunity
Laughter oxygenates the body
It reduces stress
It energizes the body
It enhances creativity and brain function
It promotes a youthful and attractive appearance
It builds social trust
It helps silence the inner critic
It acts as a broom for cortisol and stress
Next, lead a short rehearsal of laughing together using different vowels and syllables: HA, HE, HI, HO, HU.
Introduce the additional elements of the laughter session: clapping with both hands, chanting “Great, great WE/ME/YOU,” breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques.
Instructions
Choose a theme for the laughter session, such as symbolically letting go of what limits us, makes us feel unaccepted, or identifying and releasing situations that cause us to feel excluded.
Invite the participants to sit in a circle and introduce themselves by name. Afterward, everyone, including the person whose name was just said, starts laughing (using any vowel they prefer).
Next, ask the participants to imagine a large trash can in front of them. "What would you throw away to free yourself from something that limits you, stigmatizes you, or makes life harder? We often express regret through sounds in response to tough situations. Now, imagine you can get rid of that burden, boldly name it, and throw it away.”
Encourage participants to symbolically throw away whatever bothers them, makes them feel unaccepted, or causes confusion and exclusion. They can start whenever they feel comfortable, but ensure that everyone has a chance to release their symbolic burden.
Every time someone throws something into the bin, the group cheers them on with a loud “Great, great YOU!” (2x), and the person rewards themselves by chanting and clapping “Great, great ME!”
Then, invite the group to stand up. Everyone leaves their house and meets friends on the street. Encourage participants to approach each person, greet them joyfully, give a compliment, and express their happiness with a gesture. Let this happen in a lighthearted, laughter-filled manner.
Finally, guide the group into a short relaxation. Play some calming music or use koshi bells. Ask everyone to close their eyes and focus on their breathing: inhale for 1-2-3-4, hold briefly, and then exhale for 1-2-3-4.
Helpful tips
Remind participants that we laugh together and do not make fun of anyone. Make sure to end the exercises with a positive message.
Wrap-up
Ask participants to share their impressions:
Was it easy for them to laugh?
Did they experience a moment when they stopped controlling their thoughts?
How did it feel to dare, acknowledge, and let go of the burden?
What impact did this exercise have on them physically, mentally, and relationally?
What will each participant take away from the session?