When Life Changed Overnight

In 2014, my life changed forever when I was diagnosed with leukaemia. Suddenly, I was confronted with the frightening reality that tomorrow was no longer guaranteed. I began chemotherapy filled with fear, uncertainty, and anxiety. The treatment was physically exhausting and emotionally overwhelming. There were days when I could not even imagine smiling, let alone laughing.

While I was in the hospital, I heard that laughter could help strengthen the immune system. I wondered if it could really be true. With nothing to lose, I began making a conscious effort to laugh together with my fellow patients. At first, our laughter was completely forced. But something remarkable happened.

As we looked into each other's eyes and continued laughing, those artificial smiles gradually became genuine. Before long, our hospital room was filled with joyful laughter. Those moments became a precious escape from our illness. They gave us the courage to say, "Let's live fully today"

Discovering the Power of Laughter Yoga

After I recovered and was discharged from the hospital, I discovered Laughter Yoga. For the first time, I learned that you don't need a reason to laugh and that intentional laughter has a positive effect on both the body and the mind.

I was deeply moved when I realised, "What we were doing in that hospital room was Laughter Yoga without even knowing it!"

Laughter Yoga gave me hope when I needed it most. It transformed not only my outlook on life but my entire life itself. Laughter Yoga is not a magic cure for disease. However, it is a powerful practice that awakens the desire to live, strengthens the human spirit, and reminds us that hope is always possible. Through my journey, I discovered one profound truth:

We do not laugh because we are happy.

We become happier because we laugh.

That simple understanding changed everything for me.

A Mission to Bring Hope Through Smiles

Inspired by my experience, I wrote my book Living with a Smile.

In its pages, I share what my illness taught me, how laughter helped me through the darkest days, the importance of human connection, and why I believe that because tomorrow is never guaranteed, we should live today with a smile.

Today, as a Laughter Yoga Master Trainer in Japan, I have the privilege of bringing smiles and hope to people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, companies, community groups, and disaster-affected areas. Every time I see someone who arrived in tears leave with a smile, I am reminded once again of the extraordinary power of laughter to transform lives.

Looking back, I often think that if I had not decided to "just try laughing" in that hospital room—and if I had never discovered Laughter Yoga—I would not be the person I am today.

From the bottom of my heart, I am deeply grateful to Dr. Madan Kataria and Madhuri Kataria for sharing this beautiful gift of Laughter Yoga with the world.

Just as Laughter Yoga gave me hope during one of the most difficult chapters of my life, it has now become my life's mission to bring smiles, hope, and healing to as many people as possible.