Laughteryoga 
The old saying that “laughter is the best medicine” is well on the way to be a proven fact with a plethora of scientific studies examining the effects of laughter on relieving the symptoms of a wide range of physical, mental and emotional conditions. “Laughter Therapy” has been used in a number of clinical studies worldwide and though it’s still unclear just how far-reaching the effects of laughter are upon the physical body, it has been established that it has a beneficial effect upon the endocrine and lymphatic and circulatory system.
Laughter Therapy has been shown to reduce rehabilitation time in a large number of post-operative cases and has been used with some success in the holistic treatment of some forms of cancer. With all this in mind, we heard that a local yoga teacher was promoting “laughteryoga” in our area and we just had to find out more. All we knew about it was what we had gleaned from Wikipedia: “Laughter Yoga (Hasya Yoga) is a physically oriented technique that uses a blend of playful, empowering and otherwise “tension-releasing” simple laughter exercises. …..Laughter Yoga is done as a way to improve health, increase well-being and promote peace in the world through personal transformation.” Wikipedia
We turned to our local expert, Gill Taylor, to tell us more: I shared Laughteryoga with several thousand people when I was interviewed on BBC Radio Solent and we giggled along to put smiles on our faces and a willingness to laugh for no reason. Dr. Kataria started ’laughteryoga’ in Mumbia, India in 1995 with a handful of people. It has now spread to over 5 continents, over 50 countries, over 5000 clubs with over 1 million members. Laughing ‘for no reason’ brings all cultures and languages together – actions speak louder than words! Laughter also keeps us in the present moment where there is no fear – just joy. How to participate: 1. have eye to eye contact 2. willingness to participate 3. and we have this lovely saying,” fake it fake it till you make it” – meaning that the body and brain knows no difference between real laughter and fake. I can assure you that it doesn’t take long for giggles to be infectious if you are not belly laughing already.
It is such a fun and child like thing to do and what cheap health care it really is. These simulated laughter exercises have incredible health benefits: Combat stress as they increase endorphins (the happy hormones), and lower cortisol and other stress hormones increase the white blood cell count, & raise antibody levels so colds are decreased.
It is thought that 75% of illnesses are stress related – so if this can help – why aren’t we doing more!!!!
Laughteryoga is especially helpful for team building and as an ‘ice-breaker’ at conferences, meetings etc.
I have taken laughteryoga to a local school for a day and regularly chortle along with pupils at a pre school too. This helps integrate all children and for those who are shy it boosts their confidence enormously.
Giggle with laughteryoga before an exam or before going on stage and it keeps the ‘nerves’ from taking over – keeping you in the present.
Last summer I led laughteryoga at a National Teachers Regional AGM – a great way to break the ice with people who may be meeting for the first time and team building; the new teacher laughing alongside the Head of Faculty……!
I came across Laughteryoga a few years ago and became certified as a laughologist. I have facilitated laughteryoga with various groups and had enormous fun – the underlying seriousness of laughing is the JOY to be found so easily in that place of being Present.
If you wish to find out more about Laughteryoga, you can contact Gill at www.thehealingplace.co.uk . And laugh your way into the New Year with a session in Highcliffe on January 9th Gill Taylor teaches Hatha Yoga to adults and pre school children. She is an EFT Practitioner, having 121 consultations during the week which she says may help enormously to get rid of beliefs that are no longer necessary, help with phobias and anxieties, as well as helping to enhance peak performance in sport and music. Please browse her website for more info and if you wish you can contact her by e-mail and book her for your events!! www.thehealingplace.co.uk |
