Online laughter yoga is a live group session on video where a trained leader guides you through laughter exercises and deep breathing, with no jokes needed. The research is early and the evidence is weak, so think of it as a light, social wellbeing habit and not a treatment.
What Online Laughter Yoga Is, and What It Isn’t
Laughter yoga began in 1995, when Indian physician Dr. Madan Kataria started a small laughter club. His idea was simple. Laughter can start as an exercise, without a joke, and then turn real once a group joins in.
Online laughter yoga takes that idea onto a video call. You join a group, the leader sets the pace, and everyone laughs together on screen. Nobody has to be funny. Because the laughter comes from exercises and eye contact instead of comedy, the format carries over to a screen.
It is not stand-up comedy, and it is not a physical yoga class. Despite the name, an online laughter yoga session has almost no postures. The “yoga” part is the breathing.
- You will find: clapping, chanting, short laughter games, and slow breathing.
- You will not find: jokes, hard postures, or a heated room.
- You may feel: silly at first, then looser once other people join in.
Where Online Laughter Yoga Came From
Dr. Kataria’s first laughter club met in 1995. Over time, the idea spread to many countries, and local laughter clubs began to meet in parks, community halls, and offices. Members usually met in person, in a circle, and laughed together for a short time.
Then video calls changed things. Online sessions grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person clubs could not meet. Since then, online laughter yoga has stayed popular for a simple reason. It lets people join a group from anywhere, at almost any hour.
That reach is the main strength of the format. A person in Bali can laugh with a group in London or Sydney. As a result, people who live far from a club, or who find a studio hard to reach, can still take part.
How an Online Laughter Yoga Session Works, Step by Step
Every leader runs things a little differently. Still, most online laughter yoga sessions follow the same shape. First the group warms up, then it plays, then it settles.
- Warm-up. The leader starts with clapping and a rhythmic chant, usually “ho-ho, ha-ha-ha”. This gets everyone moving and takes the pressure off.
- Laughter exercises. You try short games. In a greeting laugh, for example, you wave at each person on screen and laugh. In a milkshake laugh, you pretend to pour a drink and then laugh as you sip it.
- Deep breathing. Between games, the group breathes in slowly with arms raised and lets the breath out. This is where the yoga comes in.
- Laughter meditation. Some leaders end with a few minutes of free laughter. At first it may feel forced, but it often turns real.
- Cool-down. The group goes quiet, breathes, and says goodbye.
Because you are at home, you also control how visible you are. Many people join with the camera on and the sound low. That is fine. Most leaders prefer a joined session over a perfect one.
What You Need to Join an Online Laughter Yoga Class
You need very little. A phone, tablet, or laptop is enough, and you do not need a yoga mat. Since the session is short and playful, you can join from a quiet corner of your home.
- A steady connection. Laughing in sync works best when the sound does not lag.
- A private spot. You will feel freer if nobody walks in halfway through.
- Water. Laughing and breathing deeply can leave your mouth dry.
- Loose clothing. You will wave your arms and clap, so wear something comfortable.
- An open mind. You do not have to feel happy first. The exercises do the work.
Free online laughter yoga sessions exist, and so do paid courses. For a first try, a free session is plenty. Before you pay for anything, check who leads the class and what training they have.
What to Expect in Your First Online Laughter Yoga Session
The first minute is usually the strangest. You are clapping at a screen, and you may feel self-conscious. That is normal. Almost everyone else feels the same way, so the leader expects it.
Then something shifts. Once a few people laugh, the laughter spreads, even if it started as a forced “ha”. You may also notice that your breathing slows during the breathing breaks. Many people leave a session feeling lighter, though results vary from person to person.
Afterward, take a minute to sit and drink some water. Notice how you feel. If you enjoyed it, book another session. If you did not, that is fine too. This format is not for everyone, and nobody needs to force it.
Laughter Yoga Exercises You Can Try Today
Leaders mix and match exercises, so no two classes are identical. These four are common, and you can try them alone before your first session.
- Hearty laughter. Raise both arms, tip your head back slightly, and laugh from your belly.
- Lion laughter. Stick out your tongue, open your eyes wide, and laugh with your hands curled like claws.
- Phone laughter. Pretend to take a call and laugh with the person on the other end.
- Silent laughter. Open your mouth wide and laugh with no sound at all. It sounds odd, but it often sets off real giggles.
Each exercise lasts only a short time. After a few rounds, the group usually moves into slow breathing. That pause lets your heart rate settle, and it keeps the session from feeling like a workout.
Try one or two of these in front of a mirror first. You may laugh at yourself, which is exactly the point. When you feel ready, you can join a live group and play along with other people.
How to Choose a Good Online Laughter Yoga Leader
Anyone can run a video call, so the leader matters. A good leader makes the session safe, clear, and welcoming. Use the checks below before you commit to a regular class.
- Training. Ask whether the leader has completed laughter yoga leader training.
- A clear format. The class description should say what happens and how long it lasts.
- Safety guidance. A good leader tells you to stop if you feel unwell.
- Camera choice. You should be free to keep your camera off.
- Honest claims. Be careful with anyone who promises to end depression or anxiety.
The last point matters most. The research does not support such promises, so a leader who makes them is going beyond the evidence. A good leader presents it as a pleasant practice and nothing more.
What the Research Says About Online Laughter Yoga
Here is the honest picture. A 2018 systematic review in the Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing looked at six experimental studies of group laughter yoga in adults. Depressive symptoms were the most promising outcome, with medium to large effects in two short-term studies.
Even so, the authors rated the overall evidence as weak, because of poor study quality and risk of bias. You can read the 2018 systematic review on PubMed.
That matters for online laughter yoga. We found no verified trial that tests the online format directly. As a result, any claim that a video session treats anxiety or depression goes beyond the evidence.
Mayo Clinic describes laughter more broadly. A good laugh fires up your stress response and then cools it down, and laughter may lift your mood and help you cope. See the Mayo Clinic overview of stress relief and laughter. That page is about laughing in general, not about online laughter yoga.
In plain terms, a weak evidence base means we cannot yet say how much laughter yoga helps, for whom, or for how long. Better-designed trials would answer those questions. Until then, it is fair to enjoy the practice and to stay modest about what it does.
What we can say with confidence
- Laughing with other people feels good for many people.
- Early studies suggest a possible mood benefit, mainly for low mood.
- The evidence is weak, so better trials are needed.
- It is a low-risk habit for most healthy adults, but it is not a treatment.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional before you use any practice to manage anxiety, depression, or a medical condition.
Who Online Laughter Yoga Suits, and Who Should Check First
Online laughter yoga suits people who want a gentle, social break. It can also help if you work from home, live far from family, or miss company. Since it needs no fitness, almost anyone can try a session.
A good fit if you
- want a short, playful break in a long workday;
- feel isolated and would like to see friendly faces;
- are new to yoga and want to start without a hard class;
- prefer to try something at home before you visit a studio.
Check with your doctor first if you
- have a heart condition or high blood pressure;
- have had recent surgery or have a hernia;
- have a breathing condition such as asthma;
- are pregnant, or are recovering from childbirth.
Stop at once if you feel dizzy, short of breath, or in pain. If you are pregnant and weighing other forms of exercise, read our guide to Bikram yoga and pregnancy as well.
Online Laughter Yoga vs a Bikram Hot 26&2 Class in Bali
People often ask how online laughter yoga compares with a hot yoga class. The two are very different, so the table below puts them side by side.
| Feature | Online laughter yoga | Bikram Hot 26&2 class at YogaFX |
|---|---|---|
| Where | At home, on a video call | In the studio in Seminyak or Canggu |
| Effort | Light. Clapping, chanting, laughing | Demanding. Strength, balance, and flexibility |
| Heat | None | About 40°C and 40% humidity from natural tropical heat |
| Structure | Playful games that vary by leader | A fixed sequence of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises |
| Length | Set by the leader | 90 minutes |
| Best for | A gentle, social mood lift | Building a physical practice |
They are not rivals. One is a light habit you can do on a quiet evening. A 90-minute Bikram Hot 26&2 class is a full workout in the heat. Some people enjoy both.
A YogaFX class feels very different. The teacher guides all 90 minutes with a scripted dialogue. There is no demonstration and no music, so you listen and follow. That calm, focused style is far from the playful noise of a laughter session.
The two do share one thing, which is breathing. A laughter session uses slow breaths between games. A YogaFX class teaches two breathing exercises as part of the sequence. If you want to see what a studio class feels like, read about our 90-minute Bikram yoga class in Bali.
Can online laughter yoga replace a studio class?
Not really. The two give you different things. A laughter session offers company and a lighter mood, while a studio class builds strength, balance, and stamina over time. If your goal is physical, such as flexibility or fitness, a studio class is the better tool.
If your goal is a short, friendly break, a video session is easier to fit in. You can do it in your work clothes, and you do not need to travel. Many people find that the easy habit leads them to try a class in person.
How to Fit Online Laughter Yoga Into Your Week
You do not need a big plan. A small, steady habit works better than one long session you never repeat. Here is a simple way to begin.
- Pick one slot. Choose a time you can keep, such as a weekday lunch break.
- Start with one free session. See how you feel before you commit to a course.
- Try it twice. Many people feel awkward the first time and relax by the second.
- Notice, then decide. After two weeks, ask whether you look forward to it.
- Add movement if you want more. A walk or a gentle class pairs well with it.
If stress is the reason you are here, our guide to hot yoga for anxiety and stress covers the benefits and the honest risks of a heated class. A short laughter session and a hot class can sit side by side in one week, as long as you listen to your body.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Online Laughter Yoga
Most problems come from expecting too much, too soon. These are the mistakes we see most often.
- Waiting to feel funny. The exercises are meant to start the laughter, so you do not need a reason.
- Expecting a treatment. The evidence is weak, so use it as a habit and not as medicine.
- Pushing through dizziness. Deep breathing and laughing can make some people light-headed. Pause and sit down.
- Paying early. Try a free session before you buy a long course.
- Joining in a noisy room. A private space makes it easier to let go.
How Mr. Ian Terry and YogaFX Bali Fit In
Mr. Ian Terry, E-RYT 500, founded YogaFX and has taught more than 12,000 hours. YogaFX has trained teachers in Bali since 2017, and the studios in Seminyak and Canggu are open every day for Bikram Hot 26&2 classes. This page is about online laughter yoga itself. We wrote it because many readers ask how it differs from a studio class.
If an in-person practice appeals, you can start with a single class. Our guide to a first hot yoga class in Bali explains what to expect. And if a deeper practice calls, the video below introduces the YogaFX teacher training led by Mr. Ian.
The training is a Yoga Alliance registered programme. You can read the details on our Bikram yoga teacher training in Bali page.
Online Laughter Yoga FAQ
Is online laughter yoga real?
Yes. Online laughter yoga is a real group practice. Dr. Madan Kataria started laughter yoga in India in 1995, and leaders now run it on video calls. The research is early and rated weak overall, so treat online laughter yoga as a light wellbeing activity, not a proven treatment.
Is online laughter yoga free?
Often, yes. Many leaders offer free online laughter yoga sessions, while others charge for courses or leader training. For a first try, a free session is enough. Check who leads the class and what training they have before you pay for anything, and ask what the session covers.
How do you do online laughter yoga at home?
Find a quiet spot, join a live session, and follow the leader. You will clap, chant, play short laughter games, and breathe slowly. Keep water nearby and stop if you feel dizzy. It needs no mat, no heat, and no yoga experience.
Does online laughter yoga work?
Early studies link group laughter yoga with lower depressive symptoms, but a 2018 review rated the evidence weak. We found no verified trial that tests online laughter yoga directly. So it may lift your mood, but it is not a treatment for any condition.
Who invented laughter yoga?
Dr. Madan Kataria, an Indian physician, began the first laughter club in 1995. His idea was that laughter can start as an exercise, without jokes, and turn real once a group laughs together. Online laughter yoga applies the same idea on a video call.
Still have questions? Message Mr. Ian and the YogaFX team on WhatsApp and we will answer them personally. Or claim your Free Guest Pass and try a class at our Seminyak or Canggu studio.
