Laughter Yoga? What'll they think of next?

Just when ya think you've heard it all...somebody comes up with something to make you scratch your head...and laugh! In case you haven't heard about it, there is a wave sweeping the world (yes, the world!) called Laughter Yoga. Not surprisingly, the movement began with a doctor from India, Dr. Madhuri Kataria, who, along with a whole group of other doctors around the world, had been doing research on the benefits of laughter. The University of California (Irvine) did its own research to find that "mirthful laughter" actually killed cancer cells.
HUH?

And now, Laughter Clubs are popping up all over the planet. People gather together (usually early in the mornings) to begin their day with the exercises that combine both laughter and Yogic breathing techniques. There are online clubs for those who can't find one locally. There are also BlogTV sites where you can join in the fun right at your computer.

I'm still cracking up over all this. I watched the video (it's down at the bottom of the post) and still couldn't get over how brilliant the idea. I also found the website, where there is lots of information and other entertaining stuff to make you laugh. For my part, I'm going to look into some of the clubs in these parts. How fun it will be to gather together with a group of people, listening to the ocean roar in the background, and laugh ourselves silly. I'll let ya know how that goes.

Anyway...I just wanted to share these links and the video with you. It made me laugh so hard...and the grin remains, even now. Oh...and yea...I do feel better too.

Laughter Yoga International Website

P.S. Ain't it funny....I had just finished a piece for my HubPages and guess what it was about...

Oh yea. You guessed it.

"Humor in Lieu of Medication: How to Ease Your Pain Without Drugs"

Go figure.

When Humor Hits the Road

Humor packed her bags and hit the road. She gave no warning. Didn't leave a note. Just up and left one sunny afternoon. Didn't even bother to close the door. Rude. Just plain rude. It's quite possible she ran off with The Muse. Not sure, but seems like they both disappeared around the same time. Probably lounging around some glamorous poolside, sipping Margaritas and having those cabana boys fan them with palm fronds. Little hussies.

When Humor takes off, she doesn't mess around. She takes the whole she-bang with her. Giggles, chuckles, big-fat-belly-laughs, pee-in-your-pants-uncontrollable laughter and every little thing in between. She's quite the little scamp when she walks out. Based on the way she left, without warning and all, I'm guessing she probably laughed her ass off all the way to the airport where her private jet was waiting (and, no doubt, The Muse too).

When I realized she was gone, I did what any 'normal' person might do: I got all pissed off at her. I cursed her. I shouted 'good riddance'. I took all her pictures off the walls. I told myself I didn't need her silly ass anyway. I can do this on my own. To hell with her. I'll show that selfish #!*&!

And then...(isn't there ALWAYS "and then"?!)

Woke up one morning and realized just how much I missed her. Realized it had been a long, long time since I'd laughed so hard that I cried. I missed her silliness and her child-like glee and the way she could laugh even in the face of the most dire situations. I missed her goofy guffaws and her twinkling eyes. I felt the tears roll down my cheeks, and that horrible knot in my gut, wondering if she was ever coming back. Wondered if she missed me as much as I missed her. Wondered how in the world I was going to find her and so I could beg her to come home.

About an hour after I had my cry, I decided that the only thing I could do was let go of the angst and try to remember what it felt like to have her around. To somehow create the feelings within myself to get the laughter back. It took me a bit longer than I'd expected, but pretty soon I was walking around with this giant grin on my face. I was rolling on the floor with my dog (who is a VERY funny guy), telling jokes and working myself into a full-blown giggle fit. It was SO much fun.

Shortly thereafter, I heard her come through the door. She was roaring with laughter, tears rolling down her angel face, with her arms outstretched and the love shining from her eyes. Right behind her was The Muse. Yep. The two of them showed up together, all happy and silly and thrilled to see me. I could hardly believe it. There we were, hugging and laughing and having a party like they'd never been gone in the first place. Even Bruzer (that's my dog) was doin' a dance.

Go figure.

back and forth

So how do you not think about the pain when the pain is so big? How do you not fight it? How do you move into the pain without having it consume you?

It's been said that our bodies know exactly how to heal themselves. That there is no malady nor injury we cannot completely recover from. The trick is to believe it. To actually feel it all the way to the core of our being...and just let go of the limiting thoughts that say "no you can't". I want to believe it. More than anything. Sometimes I actually do. Other times, not so much. The 'not so much' comes when the pain is so freakin' big that it immobilizes me. And that, in turn, just pisses me off.

So how does one get from "here" to "there"?

Maybe it's about the stillness. Maybe all that's required is to lie still, breath well, and let the energy of the whole splendid Universe do it's work. Maybe it's about laughing at it. Staring it right in the face and laughing at it for the jokester that it is. The laughter is healing...I do know this. And it's very effective when that freakin' pain is that freakin' big. So what's the mystery?

Today, as I vacillate between pain and humor, the warrior wants to fight; the goddess wants to soothe. The warrior is heading for her armory...to gather her weapons and don her suit of steel. The goddess is whispering loving endearments into my ears. Back and forth we go...until...it is time to just BE.

In the words of Abe Lincoln, "every man has the right to be as happy or as miserable as he chooses".

Wise words indeed. It appears that Mr. Lincoln knew about choices, in varying degrees, and chose himself to exercise said choices over and over (even to his demise). The 'argument' of the day is: Joy versus Misery. Which is the better choice?

As simple (and perhaps, silly) as this may sound, it's quite surprising to see just how many people choose misery. But the question is why? Is it something we are programmed to do? Or perhaps, somewhere along the way we have forgotten we have the choice at all? Following are this writer's opinions on the merits of choosing Joy:
Joy is our natural state of Being. We are born with joyful hearts and know instinctively that Joy is our birthright. In the image of our Maker, we came forth to this Earth to live our Joy as an expression of our Maker's Joy.

Joy alleviates stress.

Joy never makes you feel Icky. (I am allowed to take creative license; it's part of my Joy.)

Joy is the cure for all malady, regardless of severity or diagnoses. Joy can literally eradicate dis-ease. (proven fact!)

Joy is more fun than misery. Don't believe me? Just spend one day in each "place". A full 24 hours in Joy, and then 24 more in Misery. See which one is more fun.

Joy does not require money, compromise, immoral or illegal action, or the selling of your soul to the devil. It's free and available whenever you wish. 24/7/365.

Joy is easier on the psyche and the spirit. It allows for more of Who-You-Really-Are to surface.

Joy greatly diminishes the advancement of the aging process (as in 'frown marks', gray hairs, lethargy, lack of elan, loss of libido, etc.)

Joy greatly increases the production of endorphins (you know, those marvelous little peptide hormones that make you feel so good?)

Joy is contagious (in the very best way!)

On the flip side of said argument ~ Misery:

Misery loves company. Problem is, the company is miserable too. Gee. Doesn't that sound like fun?

Misery is a stress factory. One ounce of misery has the ability to reproduce itself exponentially. It's quite the prolific little cuss.

Misery induces ulcers, nervous breakdowns, family fights, relationship woes, financial distress, loss of humor, weight loss/gain (depending on one's penchants), alcohol/drug abuse, fist fights, melees, chaos, cancer, loss of faith, lack of trust, and other unhappy situations.

Misery is not free. It costs you everything.

Misery adds years to your day. It also has the mysterious (opposing) ability: to rob years from your life.

Misery is about as much fun as a thousand fleas in one's armpits.

Misery will keep you from deep slumber (known as REM) which then results in severely diminished overall health (Also a proven fact. Studies show that lack of sleep has a detrimental affect on metabolism (leading to diabetes, in extreme cases), cognizance, verbal speech patterns, growth (in children),immune systems, digestion, ability to concentrate, decision making, logic, etc.)

Misery is in no way life-enhancing. It is a life leech.

In short, it is this writer's opinion that when given the choice (always), Joy is by far the better path to walk. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.