Laughter yoga, as the group of exercises is called, was started in 1995 in India by a family physician who wanted to laugh more. He had read that fake laughter can have the same physiological responses as real laughter. He combined the exercises with a little bit of stretching and deep breathing and called it Laughter Yoga. The idea has spread internationally.

You do not need to feel happy, have a sense of humor, or need a reason to laugh. Sarah Samson, who recently started the club, uses the phrase "Fake it 'til you make it." The exercises, such as making a milkshake, electric shock handshake, and arguing with laughter rather than words, all create fake laughter that often turns into a genuine, hearty ho-ho-ho.