| “I once was at a meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who was asked by participants how he could be so full of laughter and joy when the world is in such turmoil. The Dalai Lama’s response was incisive and insightful. He said that it wasn’t just in spite of the world’s suffering that he laughs and finds joy in each day, but rather because of the suffering. If we don’t cultivate our innate capacity for joy and laughter, then the suffering of the world will have won.” Siegel, Daniel J. (2018). Aware: The science and practice of presence. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, (p. 355). On March 30th 2021, our community was introduced to the practice of Laughter Yoga. Laughter Yoga will be presented as a mindfulness-based and trauma-sensitive practice to cultivate heartfelt joy. A mindfulness practice enhances our ability to be present to our lives leading us on a pathway to equanimity and peace. Against the backdrop of a world in turmoil and accelerated change, we are bombarded every day about the violence and degradation that manifests across the globe as crime, warfare, abuse, systemic oppression, corporate and government, environmental degradation, climate change, and species extinction. So, what does this have to do with Laughter Yoga? In this session, you will be introduced to the value of laughter as a way of increasing joy in your life and releasing stress! Participants will learn about and experience: – The origins of Laughter Yoga – Key highlights from the scientific research – Experience a selection of laughter yoga exercises – Laughter Yoga as a vehicle to building a mindful and joyful global community. Participants will be invited to experience laughter in a safe and inclusive virtual environment. Taking a trauma-sensitive approach, we will gently approach our regulatory boundaries and witness how we can apprehend and connect to joy and gently hold joy with increasing ease in the body. Laughter and its associated benefits, however, need not come exclusively from jokes or comedy. If you consider Laughter Yoga, a promising and evidence-based practice in which participants “laugh for no reason,” it becomes apparent that a series of simple and fun exercises in a group setting can trigger giggles that quickly turn into a wave of real and contagious laughter. Interestingly, we benefit from both “fake” and “genuine” laughter – the body does not know the difference! And when we laugh, we are afforded an opportunity to get “out of our heads” and connect with our heart-felt joy in our bodies. This connection to joy provides the bridge to extend and connect us with others and build a global community of joy, compassion, and peace. |
Steven Hughes, M.Ed., CYA-RYT200, recently retired, Steven was an Education Specialist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto for over 30 years. As a life-long learner Steven has interests in delivering programs pertaining to the creation of inclusive and psychologically safe work environments that are characterized by optimal individual and team learning, resilience and well-being. Steven has been a certified yoga teacher since 1985 specializing in yin yoga and yoga nidra. Steven integrates his interests that include transformative learning, positive psychology, dialogue methods, contemplative neuroscience, mindfulness, breathwork practices, and trauma-sensitive wellness-based modalities that assist individuals to cultivate self-awareness and unlock their full potential.
I am Purnima Sharma, a mindfulness practitioner. I use laughter yoga with my work but people still not get the concept. I have practiced laughter yoga since my childhood when we used to do yoga in neighborhood parks with all neighborhood kids. This was a common thing in my childhood for kids to learn yoga and meditation.
I am very happy that you are using it in your work. I love to know more about your program.
I run a yoga meditation group in the morning with senior citizens and run teens, parents and kids groups at my work. I also do a yoga class during my lunch time with my coworkers.
I will be happy to connect with you and if can do some work together.
Thanks a lot
Purnima Sharma
Thank you to everyone who participated in the “AMindful Awakening of Joy with Laughter Yoga” … please share the resource booklet for anyone who can benefit.