JOHOR BAHRU: Joyful laughter echoed across Johor Bahru this weekend as the 2nd Malaysia Laughter Yoga Conference concluded today, wrapping up three vibrant days of workshops, talks, and shared laughter under the uplifting theme “Embrace Laughter.”

Hosted at New York Hotel, from July 25 – 27, the conference brought together around 150 participants from 21 countries, including India, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, Singapore, Italy, and beyond.

The international gathering reflected the growing appeal of Laughter Yoga, a unique wellness practice that combines unconditional laughter with yogic breathing and playful exercises.

During the opening ceremony. Andrew Chen Kah Eng, assemblyman for Stulang said this international gathering serves as a timely and powerful reminder that laughter is not merely a reaction but it is a practice, a healing force, and a bridge that connects people across cultures and backgrounds.

He reminded the participants that in today’s fast-paced and often stressful world, the importance of mental wellness, human connection, and emotional resilience cannot be overstated.

He congratulated the organizers for bringing delegates from all over the world, all united by a common purpose: to inspire joy, promote health, and nurture peace through the simple yet profound act of laughter.

“Such efforts not only enrich individual lives but also contribute to a more compassionate and connected global community,” he asserted.

Chen hoped that this conference spark waves of laughter and ripples far beyond these walls – into homes, schools, workplaces, and communities across Malaysia and the world.

In her address, Koh Mui Cheng, president of Johor Bahru Happy and Joyous Club (JBHJC) said through laughter we build bridges of connection, healing and unity.

According to Koh since the founding of JBHJC in 2008, the members have tirelessly dedicated themselves to bringing smiles and laughter to countless hearts across the communities.

She said from weekly laughter sessions in gardens and organisations, training Certified Laughter Yoga Leaders to hosting World Laughter Day celebrations they have walked this journey hand-in-hand, heart-to-heart.

“Your presence here makes this conference truly special. Every handshake, every giggle, every hug shared this weekend is a living testimony to the strength of our global laughter family,” she said.

The event was inaugurated by Dr. Madan Kataria, the Mumbai-based medical doctor and founder of the global Laughter Yoga movement.

In his keynote address, Dr. Kataria expressed his delight at seeing how the practice he began with just five people in a Mumbai park in 1995 has blossomed into a global movement for wellness, connection, and mental health.

“Laughter is the simplest, most powerful tool for healing and human connection,” Dr. Kataria told the gathering.

“This conference shows that despite borders and backgrounds, we can all come together to laugh — and that laughter can truly unite the world.”

Over the course of the three days, the conference featured an eclectic mix of interactive sessions, keynote speeches, breakout workshops, and laughter meditation practices.

Topics ranged from laughter’s impact on mental health and workplace wellness, to integrating laughter into schools, elder care, and conflict resolution.

Among the highlights was the “Joyous Cultural Street Night” a colourful gathering where delegates dressed in traditional attire and joyfully marched through the streets of Johor Bahru, spreading laughter to onlookers and symbolizing the conference’s mission of sharing joy far and wide.

The nights programme included speeches, laughter yoga exercises, dragon dance, songs, and multicultural dance. Food stalls were set up with people selling a variety of Malaysian food. While other stalls had the batik painting, traditional games and clowns clowning their way around.

Organizers noted that this year’s turnout exceeded expectations, reflecting a growing global interest in non-pharmaceutical methods of reducing stress, building community, and fostering emotional resilience.

“This conference is not just about laughing — it’s about transformation,” said Lee-Jean Fung, chairperson of the organizing committee.

“Our goal was to create a space where people from different countries and cultures could come together, learn, share, and most importantly, laugh without judgment. We’re thrilled by the warmth and unity we’ve seen.”

Participants echoed that sentiment, describing the event as “energizing,” “life-changing,” and “a breath of fresh air” after years of pandemic-driven isolation and stress.

The conference also marked a significant moment for Laughter Yoga in Asia, positioning Malaysia as a growing hub for the movement’s expansion. Plans are already underway for the next conference, with interest from potential hosts in Thailand, the Philippines, and even Europe.

As the final laughter session concluded with a heartfelt group hug, one thing was clear — while the conference may have ended, the ripple effects of shared laughter will continue to echo around the globe.

“When you laugh, you change. When the world laughs together, the world changes,” Dr. Kataria reminded attendees in his closing address — a message that resonated deeply with all present.