What is a corporate laughter coach, and how do you qualify as one?
A corporate laughter coach is someone who has done certified laughter training. There are three certifications available. The first is the laughter leaders certification, the second, the laughter teachers certification and the third, the master trainers certification.
For the third certification, you are chosen to do the course by Dr Madan Kataria, and there are criteria to be part of the training. I am a certified laughter teacher.
There is also an honorary certification that is awarded to laughter professionals — the international laughter ambassadorship for dedicated and selfless services to promote laughter coaching around the world and in your own country. I received this on October 27 2020.
All these certifications are provided by the Laughter Yoga International University, headquartered in the US.
Describe your typical corporate engagement as a laugh coach.
There are many aspects and applications of laughter workshops available to corporate and private clients. They can choose laughter coaching workshops for wellness days, team-building events and de-stressing workshops.
I sit with the clients to find out what their concerns are before I plan the workshop and discuss some of the following: stress management; team building; positive work environment; leadership; and innovation and creativity.
How did you end up doing this work?
I did my first course in 2008 and in 2009 I went to Bangalore to study with Dr [Madan] Kataria for my teacher's certification and fell in love with the concept of bringing happiness and joy to the corporate world. Laughter comes naturally to me.
How do your laughter workshops differ from a stand-up comedy show?
Laughter coaching is different. We do laughter as an exercise, combined with breathing exercises, childlike playfulness and eye contact. Anyone can laugh without relying on humour, comedy or jokes.
A laughter workshop is normally an hour. Many conference event planners use laughter professionals for icebreakers to bring more energy into their events.
Laughter coaching workshops or sessions start with warm-up techniques that include gentle stretching, clapping, positive affirmations and body movement. This helps breakdown inhibitions and develop childlike playfulness during the workshops.
Breathing exercises are used to warm up the lungs for laughter, followed by a series of childlike playful laughter exercises.
These exercises, when combined with strong social dynamics of group behaviour, lead to prolonged and hearty unconditional laughter.
Laughter exercises are interspersed with breathing and stretching exercises. Scientifically it has been proven that you need at least 10-15 minutes of laughter to get the physical and mental benefits of laughter.
How do you prepare for a gig?
I normally take 10 minutes to get myself mentally and physically ready for the laughter workshop or training seminar. The laughter programme has been planned in advance and then I get the participants ready for the workshop.
Then it's laughter and fun throughout the workshop. I am also aware the whole time of how the participants are reacting and if they are still comfortable.
What is the best career advice you have received?
To never give up — persevere and dream big. People might not understand your passion and your chosen career. I was told to remember that laughter professionals in South Africa are still pioneers in our field and it's going to take a lot of hard work to raise awareness of the healing power of laughter.
If an opportunity arises to be on any mainstream media, take it. You never know whose lives you might change with your workshops or training seminars.
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