Laughter Yoga Session — September 2026
Monday, September 28, 2026 at 6:00 pm – 6:50 pm (BC Pacific Time)
Hosted by Kasim Al-Mashat, PhD with Sylvie Dagenais-Douville
- Featured Videos
- What is Laughter Yoga?
- About the Facilitators
- Schedule
- Past Events
- Upcoming Teacher Trainings
Featured Videos
VIDEO ABOVE: What Is Laughter Yoga?
The founder explains the WHAT, HOW, and WHY behind laughing as a practice
Most of us know have heard that laughter is the best medicine. Watch this fun conversation with the founder of Laughter Yoga, Dr. Madan Kataria who started a worldwide movement. He is a medical doctor from Mumbai known as the 'Guru of Giggling' (London Times). Here we explore his story, the benefits of laughter, distinction of joy vs happiness and much more. Plus... there is a lot of laughter along the way, including some laughter exercises you can follow along and practice on your own or with friends and family.
VIDEO ABOVE: The Difference Between Happiness and Joy.
The founder of Laughter Yoga explains!
In some way or another, we all want to be happy. How we go about pursuing happiness does not always lead us there. What are we chasing after all? And, is there a different between happiness and joy? In this interview highlight with Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of Laughter Yoga, he explains the difference between the two. There is also a short one-minute laughter practice for world peace 🙂
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 the Facilitators
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.
Sylvie Dagenais-Douville is a published author, public speaker and founder of the Laughing Institute. She is a dynamic leader and Laughter Yoga Master Trainer. Trained by Doctor Madan Kataria the founder of Laughter Yoga movement, Sylvie has been invited to present Laughter Yoga at conferences and workshop sessions all over the Country and Internationally.
She has also been conferred the honor of "Laughter Ambassador" for the "Laughter Yoga International University ". Sylvie's experience and expertise in the fields of education and gerontology also helps her bring an additional dimension and sensitivity to her laughter programs. Based in Montreal, she offers Laughter Yoga sessions to retirement homes in Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City for both independent living and memory care residences. She also uses the Laughter program as an amazing tool for Cancer survivors, their families and caregivers. You reach Sylvie by visiting laughterinstitute.ca
Schedule
Free Online Laughter Yoga usually takes place on the fourth Monday of every month at 6pm Pacific Time (except in December).
Please note: The session time is in Pacific Time. The Pacific time zone encompasses western Canada, western United States, and western Mexico. To calculate your specific times zone: use this time converter tool.
Past Events
Picture from waaaaaay back with Dr. Kataria (2011 Teacher Training)
Upcoming Laughter Yoga Leader Programs
Become a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader! 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, it will immerse you in the joy of laughter.
Schedule
Time Zone Notice: This online event is hosted out of Vancouver, British Columbia (BC), Canada. The times are based on BC Pacific time zone. Please note that unlike most of North America, British Columbia no longer observes daylight saving time — clocks stay fixed at UTC−7 year-round. To calculate your specific time zone: use this time converter tool.
• Monday, September 28, 2026 at 6:00 pm – 6:50 pm (BC Pacific Time)
