More than a year ago, Trend Hunter covered Laughter Yoga. Since then, Laughter Yoga has been sweeping the globe. The first ever Laughter Yoga training in Eastern Europe took place on January 5th and 6th in Moscow, Russia. It was taught by Sebastien Gendry, Director of the American School of Laughter Yoga. This training was historic in that it strengthened the seed of possibility for social Laughter Clubs in Russia, a country with over 140 million people. The video clip below shows this historic event.
The next scheduled events are as follows:
January 26-27: Dallas, Texas
February 02-03: Los Angeles, California
February 23-24: Las Vegas, Nevada
March 22-23: Chicago, Illinois
March 29-30: Salt Lake City, Utah
April 19-20: Los Angeles, California
The American School of Laughter Yoga claims that “the use of laughter is a genuine solution to stress and health related issues.â€
It reminds me of a stressful event that took place when we were transporting a friend's Myna Bird to Florida. The bird only knew how to cuss. When a trooper pulled us over and approached the car with the usual “MA'M! Do you know why I pulled you over?†The bird screeched “You're a &^%$ idiot.†The trooper had a stunned look on his face and everyone in the car laughed. Stress relief and no ticket was issued.
Laughter Yoga (UPDATE)
Now in Moscow, LA, Texas, Chicago
Trend Themes
1. Laughter Yoga Global Trend - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Expand Laughter Yoga training and social clubs to reach a wider global audience, tapping into the growing interest in stress relief and health improvement.
2. Laughter Yoga Training Events - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Capitalize on the demand for Laughter Yoga training by organizing more events in different cities, providing individuals with the skills to become certified Laughter Yoga instructors and establish their own Laughter Clubs.
3. Stress Relief Solutions - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop new stress relief methods and techniques, incorporating elements of laughter and humor into wellness programs and workplace initiatives.
Industry Implications
1. Wellness and Personal Development - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate Laughter Yoga into wellness programs, personal development workshops, and mindfulness practices, catering to individuals seeking alternative stress management techniques.
2. Healthcare and Therapy - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate Laughter Yoga into healthcare settings, such as hospitals and rehabilitation centers, as a complementary therapy for patients dealing with stress-related illnesses or mental health issues.
3. Event Planning and Hospitality - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborate with event planners and hospitality providers to incorporate Laughter Yoga training and sessions into conferences, retreats, and team-building events, offering attendees a unique and engaging experience.