What The Heck Is “Laughter Yoga”?

Just when I thought I'd seen it all…

I came across a website today for something called “Laughter Yoga”.

My first question was, “What the heck is ‘laughter yoga'?”

Turns out it's exactly what it sounds like.

People get together in a Yoga-class type setting, and they LAUGH.

There's even a “Laughter Yoga Home Study” set, which is a bunch of DVDs that will set you back $195.

I kid you not.

Now after a little Google research I found out that doctors and patients say that this weird kind of yoga relieves stress and anxiety and could even strengthen the immune system.

It seems kinda like a stretch to me, but a lot of people swear by it and are willing to pay their hard-earned money for it.

Just Google “laughter yoga” and you'll see what I'm talking about.

So what can we learn from this?

It's just this: making money is simple if you remember that all people really want is to FEEL BETTER.

I mean, c'mon.

If people will pay $195 to earn how to do “laughter yoga”, doesn't that say a lot about what people really want?

How about diet books?

We all know (don't we?) that most people who buy diet books (or “get out of debt” books, or “get a better relationship” books, etc.) don't every really lose weight (or get out of debt, or get a better relationship, etc.).

So why do they buy those books?

TO FEEL BETTER.

The book makes them feel better about themselves. It makes them feel like they COULD go on the diet, or the budget, or whatever.

Now, I think your product or service should provide real value. So that if your customer actually USED the product they would get the result.

But you should also think about making certain that your product itself provides a way to feel better.

And for darn sure, you're marketing and sales material should absolutely make the prospects feel more positive, more focused and more hopeful.

While I don't think any of us should be selling “false hope”, I definitely feel we should be selling “hope”.

Because hope makes people feel better, and that is ultimately what most human beings want.

Just to feel better.

That's what I think – but what do you think? Is is good to sell “hope” to prospects… to make  them feel better? Post your comments below…

Ray Edwards is a world-renowned copywriter and communications strategist, writing for some of the most powerful voices in leadership and business including New York Times bestselling authors Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul) and Tony Robbins. Ray is a sought-after speaker and author, hosts a popular weekly podcast, and blogs at RayEdwards.com.