New Delhi, India: A training camp for the National Cadet Corps (NCC) organized by the Jamia Milia Islamia University in New Delhi recently incorporated Laughter Yoga in their daily exercise routine. There were about 200 participants of mixed gender, aged 12-21. A 1h laughter session was held every morning starting at 6.30am for 10 days.

Even the NCC officers felt the difference. All participants were more energized for their physical drill, relaxed, cheerful, and more confident, with great self esteem and a stronger sense of team spirit.

Even the NCC officers felt the difference. All participants were more energized for their physical drill, relaxed, cheerful, and more confident, with great self esteem and a stronger sense of team spirit.

Initially, there was a lot of inhibition and shyness, but later everyone participated and enjoyed laughing in a group. According to Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher Dr. Santosh Sahi who led the sessions, every day was a different experience of working with adolescents. Even the NCC officers felt the difference. They commented that the camp with Laughter Yoga sessions was very different from all other camps. All participants were more energized for their physical drill, relaxed, cheerful, and more confident, with great self esteem and a stronger sense of team spirit.

The NCC is a Government of India organization under the Ministry of Defense and their objective is to groom the youth into disciplined and patriotic citizens. The history of NCC goes back to World War 1 when the British created the University corps as the second line of defense where youth members were available for employment in the armed forces.