Group Laughter Yoga Session

A guided laughter yoga session: fake laughs on the move, rhythmic clapping, and deep breathing that end up sparking real group laughter. It builds stress management, lets students loosen up, and strengthens positive connections.

How to play

1. In a circle, explain that forced laughter also relaxes the body and spreads in a group. Walk in a circle clapping 1-2, 1-2-3 while chanting "ho, ho, ha, ha, ha" (3 min).
2. Arm breathing: breathe in raising the arms, hold 2 seconds, and let it out with a big laugh while lowering them. Five times (1 min).
3. Greeting laugh: walking around, greet each person with an elbow bump and a laugh instead of words (2 min).
4. Acted laughs while walking, 30 seconds each: the phone laugh (answer laughing), the milkshake laugh (shake an imaginary cup and drink it laughing), the lion laugh (tongue out, claws), and the receipt laugh (read an imaginary bill and laugh at the price) (4 min).
5. Laughter train: lines of 5 jog easily while laughing; every 20 seconds the leader moves to the back (2 min).
6. Cool-down: 2 quiet minutes seated with slow breathing, then rate tension from 1 to 10 before and after (3 min).

Rules

• We laugh with each other, never at anyone.
• Anyone who doesn't want to laugh out loud can smile and do the moves.
• Safety: look where you walk, and if you get dizzy, sit and breathe normally.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: everything seated, leading the train's rhythm with the arms.
• Shy students or autism: start at the edge, no contact, and watch the first round if needed.
• Fitness level: the train can be done walking.

Learning goals

• Experience how laughter and breathing affect tension.
• Participate freely in a group activity.
• Recognize simple tools for managing stress.

Teacher tip

Your attitude is everything: laugh first without embarrassment and the group will follow. Avoid it right before a task that needs quiet focus.

More activities like this

More main activities for High School