Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse Day Laughter
Yes, here is your chance to discover the health benefits of sustained laughter, one on a Full Moon and Total Lunar Eclipse day nonetheless! Two more laughter sessions before Christmas! Dec. 10th and 17th. Some people are still asking if we do contorted postures (as is imagined in some “YOGA” practices) and I have to assure them that we don’t!
The only reference to “Yoga” in “Laughter Yoga” is the breathing exercise, which goes like this: Breath in, breath out. Sort of sounds like ordinary breathing, eh? Well it IS done with a wee bit of control and a dash of consciousness. Overall, it’s laughter exercising – and THAT is worth laughing about! (There is even no need to bring a yoga mat.)
What happens at a Laughter Yoga session? It’s basically simulated laughter exercises which are just simple tension and release exercises based on mime and play. It sounds complicated but just imagine laughing for no reason. At a Laughter Yoga session, we keep laughing going for a longer time and this is where the health benefits really pay off. It’s simple, easy, and loads of fun!
LAUGH YOUR CHRISTMAS STRESSES AWAY
Two Laughter Yoga Leaders (Alan and Susan) will be (Dec. 10 Sat. 1:30 Zen Zero) laughing to melt away your pre-holiday stress and uplift you into the true Holiday spirit of merriment, good cheer and heartfelt connections. See and laugh with you there! Alan will be wearing a Santa hat, so you can’t miss him!
Wikipedia’s Definition of Laughter Yoga
Reminder! Laughter Yoga Dec. 3, 1:30 in Zen Zero, Courtenay!
Laughter Yoga (Hasyayoga) is a form of yoga employing self-triggered laughter. The “laughter” is physical in nature, and does not necessarily involve humor or comedy. Laughter Yoga combines unconditional laughter with pranayama (yogic breathing). Laughter
is simulated as a body exercise in a group; with eye contact and childlike playfulness, initially forced laughter soon turns into real and contagious laughter. The concept of Laughter Yoga is based on the scientific observation that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter, and that both provide the same physiological and psychological benefits.
Laughter yoga was made popular as an exercise routine developed by Indian physician Madan Kataria. Kataria writes about the practice in his book Laugh For No Reason. Kataria launched the first Laughter Club at a park on March 13, 1995. Today, it has become a worldwide phenomenon with more than 6000 Social Laughter Clubs in about 60 countries. Each club has its own Laugh Captain and operates as an independent cell.
Method
Laughter is easily stimulated in a group when combined with eye contact, childlike playfulness and laughter exercises. Fake laughter quickly becomes real. Laughter Yoga brings more oxygen to the body and brain by incorporating yogic breathing which results in deep diaphragmatic breathing. Laughter Yoga is based on the concept that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter – physiologically and psychologically the benefits are identical.
In the mid-1990s Laughter Yoga was practised in the early mornings, primarily by groups of older men in open parks. Later, a more formalized version was created and popularized as “Laughter Clubs”. Kataria’s first Laughter Yoga Club began on 13 March 1995 in Mumbai. Beginning with five people in a local public park, the concept has rapidly spread worldwide. As of 2011, there are more than 8,000 Laughter Clubs in 65 countries.
Laughter Yoga is a unique exercise routine which combines unconditional laughter with yogic breathing (Pranayama). Anyone can laugh without needing to rely on humor, jokes or comedy. Laughter is initially simulated as a physical exercise while maintaining eye contact with others in the group and promoting childlike playfulness. In most cases this soon leads to real and contagious laughter.
Scientific studies have demonstrated that the body does not differentiate between simulated and real laughter. (“Make ‘Em Laugh Laughter can keep you happier and healthier.” Rebecca Fast. “Our body doesn’t seem to know the difference between simulated laughter and stimulated laughter. We experience the benefits of laughter whether it is simulated or actually stimulated by something funny,” says Dr. Gerald Ellison of Cancer Treatment Centers of America. http://www.okmag.com/April-2011/Make-lsquoEm-Laugh/) Laughter Yoga is the only technique that allows adults to achieve sustained hearty laughter without involving cognitive thought. It bypasses the intellectual systems that normally act as a brake on natural laughter.
Laughter Yoga sessions start with gentle warm-up techniques which include stretching, chanting, clapping and body movement. These help break down inhibitions and develop feelings of childlike playfulness. Breathing exercises are used to prepare the lungs for laughter, followed by a series of ‘laughter exercises’ that combine the method of acting and visualization techniques with playfulness. These exercises, when combined with the strong social dynamics of group behavior, lead to prolonged and hearty unconditional laughter. Laughter exercises are interspersed with breathing exercises. Twenty minutes of laughter is sufficient to develop full physiological benefits.
A Laughter Yoga session may finish with “Laughter Meditation.” This is a session of unstructured laughter whereby participants sit or lie down and allow natural laughter to flow from within like a fountain. This is a powerful experience that often leads to a healthy emotional catharsis and also a feeling of release and joyfulness that can last for days. This can be followed by guided relaxation exercises.
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Laughter is the best medicine — and contagious!
…laugh for no reason, without the use of jokes or comedy, and still receive great health benefits! Come to a free Comox Valley class – it’s easy and fun!
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CERTIFIED LAUGHTER YOGA LEADERS
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Alan Pattinson CLYL Let us come to your location and use laughter to reduce stress: call 250-339-2687 or -------------------------------- 
Susan Baker CLYL 250-890-0626 ------------------------------
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MORE INFO |
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Other Vancouver Island towns that may have sessions:Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland, Nanaimo, Victoria, Cowichan Valley, Parksville, French Creek, Royston, Nanoose, Qualicum, Sooke, Sidney, Campbell River, Port Hardy, Black Creek, Ladysmith, Duncan, Ganges, Salt Spring Island, Port Alberni, Ucluelet, Tofino, Comox Air Base, Chemainus, Hornby Island, Denman Island, Mt. Washington, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Laughter Yoga Clubs are also occasionally known as Laugh Clubs, Laughing Clubs, Yoga Laugh Clubs - whatever they are called, they will get you laughing!!! |
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