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Guided Laughter

Justin B. Wright, Certified Laughter Yoga Leader

• Background• Research• Benefits• How-To• Conclusion

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April Fool’s 2009

• Charles & Wendy Pied

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2011

Over 500 Willing Faces

Pied

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Assumptions

• Laughter is fun• Laughter is healthy• Laughter is contagious• Laughter is easiest with friends• Laughter can be produced

deliberately without comedy

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Philosophy

The Sanskrit word Yoga has the literal meaning “Yoke”. The root yuj means: to join, to unite, to attach, to get hold of, to integrate, or to harmonize.

Laughter Yoga can be a physical, mental, and/or spiritual discipline.

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• 1995 – 1st Laughter Yoga Club formed by Dr. Kataria

• 1996 – I graduate from TESC• 2001-03 – I serve as an AmeriCorps*VISTA• 2003 – “Laughing Clubs of India”

Documentary released on DVD• Circa 2004-5 DVD enters public library

system in West Linn, OR• 2008 – I’m dreaming (and blogging) about

Laughter Yoga• 2010 – My wife and I become Certified

Laughter Yoga Leaders• 2011 – Our friend, Kate, becomes a

Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher

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Portland Laughter Yoga

Laughter Leader Certification June 2010

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Olympia Laughter Yoga at ENR

• We met at Evergreen Nursing and Rehab every Tuesday for 3 months

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Olympia Laughter Yoga at OUUC

• We meet each Sunday at 12:30 at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation

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CONTRAINDICATIONS

As with any aerobic activity, use precaution– Recent surgery (last 3 months)– Pregnancy– Major psychiatric disorders– Hernia– Heart Disease– Epilepsy– Urinary incontinence– Bleeding piles– Persistent cough

When in doubt consult your physician

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Benefits

• increased energy levels• a rapid decrease of stress levels and better

ability to deal with stress• improved commitment and motivation• increased performance, efficiency,

innovation and problem solving abilities• stronger team spirit• reduced absenteeism and improved health

leading to decreased sick leave and lower medical costs

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New York Times 9.13.11

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How-To

• Be Willing to Laugh• Attitude of Playfulness• Warm-Up Stretches• Call & Response• Signal to Break [VG,VG, Y!x2 or HH/HHHx3]• Eye Contact• Mingle• ‘Yogic’ Breath

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Examples of Themes

• Animals• Holidays• Special Events• Common Life Scenarios• Characters from Fiction

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Yaaaawn

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Handshake/ Namaste Greeting

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Opera Laugh

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Animals

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Blow Kisses Breath

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No Money Laugh

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Won the Lottery Laugh

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Roller Coaster Laugh

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Silent Laugh

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Shiver Laugh

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Hot Cocoa Breath

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Pirate/ Swashbuckler Laugh

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Bow & Arrow Laugh/ 1 Meter Laugh

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Cell phone

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Toothache/ Nitrous/ Gargle

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Cutting Onions/ Crying

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Hula Hoop/ Hula Dance

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Elvis the Pelvis

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Unbalanced Washer

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Bouquet Breath

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Sneeze

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Wicked Laugh

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Wolfman, Ghost, Witch

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Zombie

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Vader Breath

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Characters from Fiction

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Gradient Laugh

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Further info

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Safe, Appropriate, Profoundly Memorable Surprises

With or withoutRed Nose