Awakenings Laughter Club
When:
Tuesday Mornings beginning 10/14/08 @ 7:10 am - 7:40 am
Where:
Awakenings Wellness Center 1016 SE 12th Ave. Portland, OR
Because it's fun, good for your health and builds community!
Laughter Yoga on the Phone
Can't make the Awakenings Laughter Club? No problem! Now you can call into a bridge line and laugh with others 24/7. First started by Gaga Barnes, there are now 7 live calls 365 days a year. Each call lasts for 20 minutes except for the 12 pm (pacific) call which is 12 minutes. The calls are recorded, so even if you can't make on of the live call you have no excuse. You can call any time and laugh along! For details visit Gaga and Khevin Barnes' website.Laughter Yoga
Laughter Yoga is a unique new physical activity where anyone can learn to laugh for no reason at all! It is a perfect blend of playful, empowering and otherwise "tension-releasing" laughter exercises. These are interspersed with gentle yogic breathing and stretching exercises, rhythmic clapping and chanting of Ho Ho Ha Ha Ha in unison.
Anybody can laugh for 15-20 minutes without a sense of humor, jokes or comedy. In Laughter Yoga we use laughter as a tool, not an emotion. Through group activity and eye contact simulated laughter exercises quickly become real, contagious and enthusiastic laughter.
We laugh as a way to improve health, increase well-being, and promote peace in the world through personal transformation. All exercises are adapted to suit the needs and abilities of the group participating. The soft chuckle of a 99 year old man is as efficient to that person as the belly rippling laughter of a 20 year old.
The second part of laughter yoga is called “laughter meditation”. The group members sit on the floor (or on a chair if they can’t) in silence for few minutes and then start faking laughter until it flows spontaneously. Deep, natural laughter naturally happens without the need for comedy or jokes. In the final stage of laughter meditation all participants lie down on the floor with their eyes closed. They just can’t help laughing!
Laughter Yoga for Your Organization
I currently offer various presentations on Laughter Yoga for corporations, senior centers, churches, schools and various other organizations. I can present the benefits of laughter, followed by a brief session or I can simply lead your group in a quick 10-15 minute session! It is an energizing and team building ice-breaker during training and conferences. And a wonderful after-lunch-pick-me-up! I can also train your employees or members to be Certified Laughter Yoga Leaders™ if you wish to carry on with your own on-site Laughter Club.
Laughter Yoga has many benefits beside the joy of laughter. It strengthens the immune system, combats negative effects of stress, and is a powerful antidote to depression and anxiety. It can alleviate high blood pressure and asthma and increase tolerance to pain. Due to these reasons and more it could help reduce absenteeism and the rising cost of health care! In addition, it improves people’s sense of humor, self confidence and communications skills. Contact me for more information on the science behind laughter or to schedule a consultation to learn how this can meet your organization's needs!
Testimonials
"Andréa's demonstration of Laughter Yoga was so engaging and fun, I didn't want the lesson to end. I appreciate the health benefits laughter and yoga are proven to provide and Andre'a is a warm, kind and caring coach. I recommend Laughter Yoga and Andréa as a personal coach to any individual seeking a healthier path." ~ Brenda, R.N.
“Laughter is such good medicine! I was sold the first time I tried laughter yoga. It is so much fun and all those belly laughs really give the stomach a workout. The best natural high!” ~ Teri, Birthday Celebration
Meanwhile watch this five minute video from the Discovery Channel on Laughter Yoga.
Laughter Yoga for Events or Special Occasions
Laughter Yoga is also perfect for events or special occasions. It can be used as an ice-breaker or a break during special events or promotional events. It can also be the focus of a birthday or anniversary celebration. Contact me for more information about how Laughter Yoga can make your next event or party even more memorable!
Laughter Clubs
The unique concept of Laughter Yoga was discovered in 1995 by Dr. Madan Kataria, a physician in Mumbai, India. Realizing that laughter truly can be "the best medicine," he started working with a small group of people and discovered that anyone can laugh for no reason. It has since grown into a world wide movement with more than 6,000 clubs in over 60 countries. All of which are free!!
Led by a Certified Laughter Yoga Leaders™, members take part in activities that combine laughter exercises (simulated laughter) and yoga breathing, which turns into real laughter when practiced in a group. Participation in a laughter club encourages playfulness, laughter, social connection, and a balance of mind, body, and spirit.