Certified Laughter Yoga Leader Training — Vancouver Fall 2026

What is Laughter Yoga?

Laughter Yoga was created in the mid-1990s by a Physician from India, Dr. Madan Katria with the support of his wife Madhuri Katria – a yoga teacher.

It is a unique exercise routine which combines unconditional laughter with yogic breathing (pranayama), and playful exercises and activities. Anyone can laugh without relying on humor, jokes or comedy.

Laughter is initially simulated as a physical exercise while maintaining eye contact with others in the group and promoting playfulness. Laughter yoga has quickly grew as a grassroots social movement of independent laughter clubs, promoting the ideal of a non-political, non-religious, non-racial, non-threatening, and non-competitive voluntary (simulated) approach to laughter. It has spread to over 100 countries.

About this Program

Would you like to become a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader with Laughter Yoga International?

Become a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader (CLYL)! Whether you plan to start your own Laughter Yoga Club, offer sessions in businesses and health centres, or share more laughter with friends and family, this weekend will immerse you in the joy of laughter.

Graduates receive a Certificate from Dr. Madan Kataria’s Laughter Yoga International. The training is presented by the Centre for Mindfulness Canada, North Vancouver.

At this two-day online training you will discover:

• Laughter’s physical, emotional and social benefits.
• How to simulate and stimulate laughter.
• Stress-relieving techniques that deepen creativity and build resilience.
• The philosophy and history of Laughter Yoga and fundamentals of leading a laughter session.
• How to lead your own community Laughter Club or Laughter sessions (healthy-workplace, healthcare, seniors etc.).
• Laughter yoga exercises that will bring more happiness and connection in your personal/professional life.
• How to connect people with optimism, health and healing through a wonderfully playful, scientifically-proven form of exercise.

About the Facilitators

Read the full bio

This training is presented by Centre for Mindfulness Canada. Facilitators for the weekend training are Dr. Kasim Al-Mashat, Kelly Podlubny and guest presenter Seia Roots on Sunday afternoon.

Dr. Kasim Al-Mashat’s (PhD, Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher) counselling background and interest in mental, physical and emotional wellness led him to Laughter Yoga in 2007.

He trained with Dr. Madan Kataria, the founder of Laughter Yoga, and became a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher. Kasim has been running the Laughter Yoga certification training since 2011. His work in Laughter Yoga has caught the attention of media including North Shore News, Maclean’s magazine, Simon Fraser University News, Global BC Television, Vancouver Courier, and TELUS Optic TV.

Kasim is also a Registered Psychologist and University of Massachusetts (UMass) Center For Mindfulness (CFM) Certified MBSR Teacher and Trainer. He is the founder of the Centre For Mindfulness Canada. He has also completed a six-month meditation retreat in silence in Southeast Asia and presented a TEDx about mindfulness.

Co-facilitator Kelly Podlubny is a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher passionate about spreading joy and positive change. After discovering laughter yoga in his recovery journey, he became a leader in 2019 and co-founded a laughter club to build community. He now offers laughter yoga for corporate events, conferences, and those in recovery. As a trainer, Kelly is excited to empower new Laughter Yoga Leaders and keep the spirit of laughter thriving.

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Guest presenter (Sunday afternoon): Seia Roots is Laughter Yoga Teacher, Laughter Wellness Teacher and Community Educator with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). With a lifetime passion for and dedication to expressive healing arts, Seia is delighted to share Laughter Yoga as a skill for improving and maintaining mental, physical, creative, and spiritual health and healing. Seia regularly attends and leads Laughter Clubs and sessions.

Prerequisite

Before the training begins, you need to have attended at least 2 Laughter Yoga sessions.

If you have not attended a Laughter Yoga session, you can join me in the monthly Free Laughter Yoga session. Otherwise, you can take a class in any other laughter yoga club in the city.

Here is what graduates have said about this online training:

I was pleasently surprised and the training exceeded my expectations. Kasim did a fantastic job creating a positive and safe environment that allowed us to have fun and gain confidence. Many many opportunities to practice leading, clear guidance, clear format and repetition have given me the confidence to go and lead laughter yoga sessions on my own. Thank you.

– Graduate from the online CLYL Training

This training was awesome ! I met some incredible people. Kasim create a safe place for us to share and to laught it out ! It was a dream came true for me to take that training and it was even better than I’ve imagined. Thank you Kasim for this kind and loving experience.

– Graduate from the online CLYL Training

Laughter Yoga Leader training was very uplifting and empowering. I recommend it to anyone who wishes to bring more laughter and joy to their own life and to the world.

– Graduate from the online CLYL Training

Kasim, you were fantastic, thank you! Your timing and pacing was perfect! Your energy remained elevated and you held my interest! I stayed interested the entire 2 days! I felt present throughout the training, and had so much fun learning, playing, imagining, pretending, laughing, and being part of the group! I learned about myself and am excited to create new neural pathways through regular laughter and childlike play! Thank you, Kasim!

– Graduate from the online CLYL Training

Continuing Education

This CLYL Training is recognized by Dr. Kataria School of Laughter Yoga.  It is also recognized by the Canadian Yoga Alliance for 16 continued education credits under the Certified Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School Continuing Education (CYA-RYS-CE).

Cancellation Policy

Refunds for this CLYL Training are provided for cancellations made 8 days prior to the start date, less a $50 processing fee. After that, no refunds or credits will be issued unless it is due to an emergency or extenuating circumstances. Thank you for your understanding.

Also, on the off chance that the training is cancelled or postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, registrants will receive an email to this effect no later than 7 days before the training.

How to Apply

To apply for this Certified Laughter Yoga Leader (CLYL) training please fill the form below.

Applications filled this month will be processed the first week on the following month.  You will then be notified of your application status. If you do not hear from us by then, please e-mail us at info@drkasimalmashat.com.