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Laughter Yoga (Free)

Thursday, May 14, 2026 6pm to 6:45pm

+ 5 dates

  • Thursday, May 21, 2026 6pm to 6:45pm
  • Thursday, May 28, 2026 6pm to 6:45pm
  • Thursday, June 4, 2026 6pm to 6:45pm
  • Thursday, June 11, 2026 6pm to 6:45pm
  • Thursday, June 18, 2026 6pm to 6:45pm

Every Thursday, 6:00-6:45 p.m. PT on Zoom
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Register here: https://ucsf.zoom.us/meeting/register/_TgBp-cKTHCKWZCl0We1Eg#/registration

Are you struggling to find ways to feel lighter and have more joy in the moment? Think about the last time you had a big belly laugh and how you felt afterwards. Laughter has a powerful and immediate effect on our mind, body, emotions, and spirit! The key is that laughter is always in the moment, like the breath, and we can learn to use it as a skill.

Laughter Yoga was founded in 1995 by Indian physician, Dr. Madan Kataria. He had an interesting insight while doing research about humor and laughter. Our bodies get similar benefits whether it’s a spontaneous laugh or simulated laughter. He realized that jokes or comedy are not necessary to laugh and that we all have the innate ability to “laugh for no reason!"

In this class, we don’t tell jokes or rely on humor or comedy, just classical exercises that encourage laughter, deep breathing, stretching, and clapping. The laughter exercises help facilitate a gentle deepening of mindful awareness and an easy connection with other class members. Plus laughter is very contagious!

What are the benefits? Our exercises use laughter as an “in the moment skill” and can:

  • Increase blood flow and oxygen to all the major organs
  • Enhance endorphin levels which make us feel uplifted and reduce pain
  • Stimulate the immune, digestive, and cardiac systems
  • Reduce stress levels and boost our emotional well-being
  • Help build resilience
  • Relax, strengthen, and lengthen the muscles with stretching
  • Help create a laughing community and strong social connection

Every Thursday, 6:00-6:45 p.m. PT on Zoom

Register here: 
https://ucsf.zoom.us/meeting/register/_TgBp-cKTHCKWZCl0We1Eg#/registration

Event Details

UCSF promotes the exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives, acknowledging that the views and opinions of our guest speakers on campus are their own and may not reflect the perspective of the University. We embrace free speech in the pursuit of greater understanding, consistent with our obligations as a public university under the First Amendment.