fi tbody
will burst out laughing. The position
builds up pressure inside the lungs and
Prescribing Laughter for Health
laughter, you can bring about a change
facilitates laughter; gradually, the brain
in your overall emotional expression.
develops a new connection between
by Susan aimes
It helps to keep the following
breathing, stretching and holding the David Martin, a Fort Myers-based Doctor of Oriental Medicine and acupuncture
Yoga
points in mind while doing laughter
breath and laughter, and it becomes a physician, prescribes laughter for his patients. “Laughter is a powerful way to
yoga exercises:
conditioned reflex. move stagnant energy and get it flowing though the whole body again,” says Mar-
• The purpose is to prolong the exha-
Another variation is to keep your tin, owner of the Lotus Blossom Clinic. When patients need suggestions for how to
lation, in order to empty the lungs
eyes closed and take a long breath. tickle their funny bone, he gives them a list ways to create laughter opportunities:
LAUGHTER
completely. This will help you to
Hold it as long as possible, avoiding
inhale deeply and get more oxygen
the urge to laugh. The anticipation of • Watch a funny movie or TV show
flowing into the body. While do-
laughter is what prompts real outbursts • Go to a comedy club
ing laughter exercises, try to keep
Exercises
of laughing. In the beginning, do it • Read the funny pages
laughing until you run out of breath,
deliberately or pretend to laugh; soon, • Seek out funny people
removing residual air from the lungs.
you will experience the real feelings • Share a good joke or a funny story
• Keep your chin up; it becomes much
and laughter will be spontaneous. • Check out your bookstore’s humor section
easier to laugh if you are looking
Catalyst for laughing alone
• Host game night with friends
upwards. It also makes the respira-
Holding Your Knees
• Play with a pet
tory tract straight and facilitates the
Laughter
• Go to a Laughter Yoga class
flow of air. • Goof around with children
by dr. madan kataria • Spreading your arms out and looking
This last exercise helps facilitate the
• Do something silly
up creates happy body language.
upward movement of the diaphragm by
• Make time for fun activities (bowling,
Because of the body-mind link, a
pressing in on the abdominal muscles.
miniature golf, karaoke)
happy posture facilitates the release
It, too, helps improve circulation and
stimulates blood flow to the brain. It
T
he slogan of all laughter clubs Everyone has a distinct signature
of happy chemicals in the brain. Meg Scott, a certified Laughter Yoga teacher, has been leading sessions on land
involves simple steps of pulling in the
is, “Fake it ‘til you make it.” of laughter that continually changes,
and sand in the Fort Myers area for the past three winters. “Laughter Yoga is about
knees and releasing them as you exhale
This is based on a scientific fact according to our state of our mind and Voice Reinforcement
more than exercising, lowering your blood pressure or boosting the immune
and inhale.
that even if you are faking it, the body personality type. Given the natural
Voice reinforcement techniques help
•
system,” says Scott, who suggests that the least publicized benefit to laughter is the
Lie on your back, hold your knees
cannot differentiate between real and feedback between body and mind, by
to bring laughter more easily. Start by
act of emotionally connecting with others by making new friends and participat-
together with both your hands and
make-believe emotions. This is how opening up your voice to the sounds of
taking a long breath and start saying
ing in the camaraderie. Scott, the author of Happy Hour Without the Hangover,
slowly bring them closer to your
laughter exercises convert artificial
haaaa-haaaa-haaaa-haaaaa-haaaa
a book for Laughter Yoga leaders and teachers, notes that she is most impressed
chest.
laughter into bouts of real laughter. It
five to seven times. Then, try to laugh
•
with how the universal language of laughter dissolves social and cultural barriers.
While doing this, push your chin up-
hinges on coming to genuinely laugh at
and keep laughing until you com-
“It also leaves no room for hierarchy within a group and improves coping skills.”
wards and keep your mouth a little
hearing the absurd, silly sounds of your
pletely run out of breath. Another
open and exhale. This straightens the
own voice.
approach is to use the vowel sound
Dr. David Martin’s office, Lotus Blossom Clinic, is located at 12811 Kenwood
respiratory tract and allows a freer
The fun starts with
Fake it
Aeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, and prolong it
Lane, Ste. 114, just behind the Olive Garden Italian Restaurant on U.S. 41. For an
flow of air.
ha-ha-ha, he-he-he,
while raising your arms over your
appointment or more information, call 239-277-1399 or visit LotusBlossomClinic.
ho-ho-ho, as you play
‘til you
• Now, release your knees and inhale
head. With your chin up, laugh ha-
com. See ad, page 36.
while taking in deep breaths.
with laughter exer-
make it. ha-ha-ha. Repeat the technique, using
cises to discover what
Aaaaaaaaa and Oooooooo. Do each
Meg Scott, of
LaughterYogaWithMegScott.com, presents regular opportunities to
As you bring your knees closer and
amuses you. Initially, faking laughter
five to six times and take a few deep
experience the benefits of Laughter Yoga:
push your chin upwards, use the sound
may seem awkward, but with practice,
breaths in-between.
• Scott and Jeanette Bevilacqua lead attendees in rhythmic clapping, mild
reinforcement techniques of laughter.
your body will become conditioned,
Voice reinforcement techniques
stretching, deep breathing and laughter exercises, on Fort Myers Beach, 1000 Es-
Say a prolonged haaaaaaa in a cre-
and the moment you start faking, it will
are best performed while standing,
tero Blvd. every Friday at 8 a.m. No yoga experience or registration needed. Bring
scendo and then start laughing. Take a
quickly turn into the real thing.
but you can also do them while lying
a beach towel and a sense of humor. Parking fee: $2 per hour.
few deep breaths in-between spells of
Laughter yoga employs a voice
down. Some people find that bringing
laughter. While laughing, you can open
reinforcement technique based on the
their knees towards their chest helps
• Scott leads Laughter Yoga sessions at the Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center,
or close your eyes, depending on what
natural sounds of laughter. As chil-
to expel the residual air more easily.
16760 Bass Rd. in Fort Myers on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 7 p.m. One-time
makes you comfortable and helps keep
dren, we shout and scream to express
membership fee: $10.
you laughing.
ourselves fully, but as adults we have
Breath Holding Technique
• On February 20-21 and March 20-21, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Scott will host
Childlike giggling is another great
been conditioned to control the pitch
two, 2-day Laughter Yoga Leader training workshops at Health & Harmony Center
and tone of our voice to the point
The way to employ the breath- holding way of breaking into truly tickled
in Fort Myers, 15951 McGregor Blvd. Presentations include: mission of Laughter
where we are unable to express our
technique is to take a long breath, raise laughter.
Yoga, training in breathing and laughter meditation, demonstrations of exercises
feelings to the fullest. The freedom
your arms over your head and hold
and activities, and tips on developing clubs. Attendees receive certifications and
and expression of the voice affects
your breath, while stretching the spine
Dr. Madan Kataria is the founder of
50-page training manual. Fee: $225 if registered before February 7; $250 after.
the freedom of emotions in the
backwards. As you try to continue to
Laughter Yoga Clubs; connect at
mind, and vice versa.
hold the breath a little longer, you
LaughterYoga.org.
Visit
LaughterYogaWithMegScott.com for registration form and more information
on all events, or call 614-216-9371 or 239-590-9933.
natural awakenings February 2010
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64