Firstly, let us share this big secret – you do NOT have to be happy to come to a Wellbeing Laughter Yoga session.
Secondly, you may be relieved to hear that there are no Yoga mats or need to wear Lycra clothing – happily the Yoga part of Laughter Yoga is the deep breathing in between Laughter Yoga exercises.
I often get asked how much space is needed for a session. For a short 30-minute session, participants need enough room to stand in a circle with arms stretched to the sides. For a lengthier one-hour session, they need enough room to lie down on the floor. A floor covering can be provided if there isn’t one already there.
An enclosed room without tables (or tables put around the edges) rather than a hallway, where people can pass by, is preferable. In general, any room square shaped or large works well if it has sufficient lighting.
What can you expect?
At the start of the Laughter Yoga session, you will be reminded how to breathe efficiently. This is deep Yogic breathing known as Pranayama. The only Yoga bit of Laughter Yoga. It may seem obvious to some, but from the surveys received from past participants, they are often very often unaware of their breathing. Breathing deeply relaxes us and enables the mind to focus in the current moment.
The next thing you would do is to activate your abdominal muscles to start creating deep, hearty laughter. You will, of course, start to use your facial chuckle muscles, laughing gently on purpose.
You will then enjoy participating in approximately 10-15 Laughter Yoga exercises. Some will be relatable to real-life situations, and others will be fun and playful elements of Laughter Yoga.
In the 30-minute session, you will be guided in a short grounding breathing and relaxation exercise.
In the 1-hour session, you will go on to enjoy a laughter meditation (not quiet!) usually involving laying on your back, your eyes and letting the cathartic release of stress come out as laughter. To make things comfy, we supply inflated pillows and soft fleece blankets for you to lie on.
Following the laughter meditation, to rejuvenate and ground you, a complete sublime guided body relaxation, also known as non-sleep deep rest takes place for between 15-20 minutes. This completes the full 1-hour Laughter Yoga experience.
Participants feel relaxed, rejuvenated and energised. With so much oxygen in their brains, they often think that soon after is the perfect time to set to a task which they must accomplish.
There’s no better time than the present to book your Wellbeing Laughter Yoga session and benefit from a happiness boost and rejuvenating experience within your workplace or community.
For more information on Laughter Yoga sessions, happiness workshops
and Bollywood Laughter Yoga Dance sessions contact Sara Kay at happy@seriouslaughter.co.uk or call 07974 778091.
