Today is usually called April Fools Day! Traditionally, it has been when all sort of pranks have been tested out, usually to elicit laugh for the pranksters. Some people's emotions and egos will be bruised today. Does it have to be so? No!
This idea of laughing at another person's expense is alien to laughter therapy. In laughter therapy or laughter yoga, we LAUGH WITH others and NOT AT others.
Why don't you use this day as a day of laughter, laughing with others, doing fun and silly things. I am sure that many pranks performed today are considered silly. If we can do silly things to evoke laughter for ourselves at the expense of others, then WHY can we just laugh for no reason, even if it seem SILLY! Laughing for no reason is what laughter yoga is all about.
Agapelife / P Nicholas
Showing posts with label laughs for healing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label laughs for healing. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Energy Medicine - Part 4
This is the last few days of the 7 day challenge.
K Fields of Articulates shares her experience below
"I have done quite wonderfully at it. I have kept my cool under the most extreme circumstances of when my mother who is undergoing some medical treatments was experiencing serious problems and when I first asked the MD assistant, about it I got a shoulder shrug... instead of getting upset, I took a deep breath, smiled and asked as nicely as I could if there was something I could do to help reliever her of the pain she was in... For some reason this seemed to sink into the MD that this was a serious problem and he became instantly helpful, and my mom is doing better now.. Thank-you! "
http://www.arcticulates.org/arcticulates.html
Please send in your comments!
Agapelife / P Nicholas
K Fields of Articulates shares her experience below
"I have done quite wonderfully at it. I have kept my cool under the most extreme circumstances of when my mother who is undergoing some medical treatments was experiencing serious problems and when I first asked the MD assistant, about it I got a shoulder shrug... instead of getting upset, I took a deep breath, smiled and asked as nicely as I could if there was something I could do to help reliever her of the pain she was in... For some reason this seemed to sink into the MD that this was a serious problem and he became instantly helpful, and my mom is doing better now.. Thank-you! "
http://www.arcticulates.org/arcticulates.html
Please send in your comments!
Agapelife / P Nicholas
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Energy Medicine - 7 Day Challenge -Part 2
Several blogger and readers have decided to take up this challenge. I applaud you for your courage! Definitely, courage is essential in taking up this challenge!
After reading some of the comments from the participants, for" 5 minute Laughing in the Bathroom seem difficult for some as they felt their family or neighbors would think they were crazy. Yes, that is likely - generally, people think you have to laugh for some reason or else something is wrong with your mental faculties. Yet, I have worked in psychiatric facilities, and hardly heard any laughter there!
First to clarify - 1. After about a minute or so of laughing, PLEASE take one or two deep breaths, which is breathing in, through the nose with your mouth shut, and breathing out through your mouth as if slowly blowing out a candle. So in 5 minutes, there should be about 5 to 10 breaths in between the laughing.
2. Let your family or neighbours know why you are laughing and get them to join. If that is out of the question, then break up your laughing into segments. Like Columbia asked, Yes 3 minutes would be sufficient for the bathroom, however, do 2 minutes in the bedroom while dressing or go on the phone / cellphone and pretend you are talking to your friend who is making you laugh. Don't forget to breathe every minute or so, so it looks like you are listening.
3, You could also continue the laughing in your ride to work, waiting for the bus, in the bus or subway, with the cell-phone close to your ear. You can laugh in the car. Be creative and make the laughter as natural as possible. The first few times, you WILL Feel as if you're faking it. Just see what happens after a couple of days.
4. Let the 5 minutes in the morning only be the start of the rest of day, If you can have 5 minutes in the middle of the day and 5minutes during the journey home from work and 5 minutes in the night, notice the difference in your emotions and attitudes.
5. These tips was given by Richard Schooping "Create daily reminders of awareness through computer reminders, hourly phone alarms, etc," ..."the most important "step" is to create quiet time daily for stillness so that all aforementioned steps will have the soil of silence to flower." Thanks Richard.
6. JOT down your emotions, your well-being each day in your calendar or day agenda, so that you can compare it on the SEVENTH day.
The video above is to help you to laugh and just go to You-Tube to see more of these laughter videos - and YES that was several belly laughs!
For some of you, the first day is gone - so please let me know how it went and if you need any assurances, support, etc.. If you have issues, I will e-mail you, you could put your e-mail in comment, marked confidential and it will not be published.
Just received news flash from Melinda - she states " it is good and fun" Yes Fun it should be if not these first days, then in the next couple of days. If you're not having fun, let me know, I'll show you how you can make this 7 day Challenge - a Fun Filled experience.
Rooting for your success!
Agapelife / P Nicholas
After reading some of the comments from the participants, for" 5 minute Laughing in the Bathroom seem difficult for some as they felt their family or neighbors would think they were crazy. Yes, that is likely - generally, people think you have to laugh for some reason or else something is wrong with your mental faculties. Yet, I have worked in psychiatric facilities, and hardly heard any laughter there!
First to clarify - 1. After about a minute or so of laughing, PLEASE take one or two deep breaths, which is breathing in, through the nose with your mouth shut, and breathing out through your mouth as if slowly blowing out a candle. So in 5 minutes, there should be about 5 to 10 breaths in between the laughing.
2. Let your family or neighbours know why you are laughing and get them to join. If that is out of the question, then break up your laughing into segments. Like Columbia asked, Yes 3 minutes would be sufficient for the bathroom, however, do 2 minutes in the bedroom while dressing or go on the phone / cellphone and pretend you are talking to your friend who is making you laugh. Don't forget to breathe every minute or so, so it looks like you are listening.
3, You could also continue the laughing in your ride to work, waiting for the bus, in the bus or subway, with the cell-phone close to your ear. You can laugh in the car. Be creative and make the laughter as natural as possible. The first few times, you WILL Feel as if you're faking it. Just see what happens after a couple of days.
4. Let the 5 minutes in the morning only be the start of the rest of day, If you can have 5 minutes in the middle of the day and 5minutes during the journey home from work and 5 minutes in the night, notice the difference in your emotions and attitudes.
5. These tips was given by Richard Schooping "Create daily reminders of awareness through computer reminders, hourly phone alarms, etc," ..."the most important "step" is to create quiet time daily for stillness so that all aforementioned steps will have the soil of silence to flower." Thanks Richard.
6. JOT down your emotions, your well-being each day in your calendar or day agenda, so that you can compare it on the SEVENTH day.
The video above is to help you to laugh and just go to You-Tube to see more of these laughter videos - and YES that was several belly laughs!
For some of you, the first day is gone - so please let me know how it went and if you need any assurances, support, etc.. If you have issues, I will e-mail you, you could put your e-mail in comment, marked confidential and it will not be published.
Just received news flash from Melinda - she states " it is good and fun" Yes Fun it should be if not these first days, then in the next couple of days. If you're not having fun, let me know, I'll show you how you can make this 7 day Challenge - a Fun Filled experience.
Rooting for your success!
Agapelife / P Nicholas
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Laughter's Capsule
What a fantastically Happy, two weeks. The joy of researching and writing about laughter - words are just so inadequate to describe it.
If, you my readers have come up with any words, that can truly describe, pure unadulterated joy or happiness, then let me know.
We had looked at the Gelotology - which is the study of laughter on our physiology. Hospitals and other health facilities have included laughter therapy as various researches had shown the positive effect of laughter on our physical body. Laughter enhances the immune system, the respiratory system, lowers blood pressure and relieves pain.
We also discovered how laughter was good for our mental and emotional well-being. Laughter connects people of different languages and cultures and religions, breaking down barriers, bridging the gaps. It is a universal language. Dr. Katari founder of the Laughter Yoga club which now has 6000 clubs world wide, feels that laughter is capable of bringing peace to the world.
Laughter specialist,Alice Hortop whose research and practice in Laughter therapy, showed how to bring laughter into our lives and the necessity of laughter in social life as well as in relationships
Then, we spoke of the types of laughter and how to practise them. Spiritual benefits of laughter was discussed for those of different religions or for those who had none.
There are still ongoing research in laughter.
I would like to continue on this theme but it will have to be interactive. Please send me your happiest moments, events or situations, which gave you belly laughs or the memories of those events that perpetuate those belly laughs. Also include people who made you laugh. EMPOWER your Life with LAUGHTER!
Laughing with you
Agapelife
If, you my readers have come up with any words, that can truly describe, pure unadulterated joy or happiness, then let me know.
We had looked at the Gelotology - which is the study of laughter on our physiology. Hospitals and other health facilities have included laughter therapy as various researches had shown the positive effect of laughter on our physical body. Laughter enhances the immune system, the respiratory system, lowers blood pressure and relieves pain.
We also discovered how laughter was good for our mental and emotional well-being. Laughter connects people of different languages and cultures and religions, breaking down barriers, bridging the gaps. It is a universal language. Dr. Katari founder of the Laughter Yoga club which now has 6000 clubs world wide, feels that laughter is capable of bringing peace to the world.
Laughter specialist,Alice Hortop whose research and practice in Laughter therapy, showed how to bring laughter into our lives and the necessity of laughter in social life as well as in relationships
Then, we spoke of the types of laughter and how to practise them. Spiritual benefits of laughter was discussed for those of different religions or for those who had none.
There are still ongoing research in laughter.
I would like to continue on this theme but it will have to be interactive. Please send me your happiest moments, events or situations, which gave you belly laughs or the memories of those events that perpetuate those belly laughs. Also include people who made you laugh. EMPOWER your Life with LAUGHTER!
Laughing with you
Agapelife
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Do you know the types of laughter
I am sure there are more types of laughter than the ones I will describe in this post.
Etiquette laughter This starts with a smile.It can be quite restrained and easily managed.
Pigeon laughter - Requires you to take a deep inhalation with the mouth shut and produce laughing sounds like the hum of a pigeon.
Soundless laughter. Inhale gently through the nose with mouth closed. Then open mouth and put tongue out and let the laugh out without making a sound while exhaling as long as possible. You should feel your stomach and upper abdomen muscles moving. The exhaling part while laughing makes a rhythmic movement of the diaphragm which is called " inner jogging"
Belly laughter This is the same procedure as soundless laughter except when you open your mouth, you let go and laugh loudly. With this laughter, you could roll on the floor or double up.
Practise these types of laughter daily. It will make such a difference to the outcome of your day. If you have any questions, please ask them by clicking on comment. Other comments welcome. If you are doing the laughter exercises, how often do you do them and how has it changed your outlook. Would like to hear from you!!
Agapelife
Ref:- R. Belasekar
Etiquette laughter This starts with a smile.It can be quite restrained and easily managed.
Pigeon laughter - Requires you to take a deep inhalation with the mouth shut and produce laughing sounds like the hum of a pigeon.
Soundless laughter. Inhale gently through the nose with mouth closed. Then open mouth and put tongue out and let the laugh out without making a sound while exhaling as long as possible. You should feel your stomach and upper abdomen muscles moving. The exhaling part while laughing makes a rhythmic movement of the diaphragm which is called " inner jogging"
Belly laughter This is the same procedure as soundless laughter except when you open your mouth, you let go and laugh loudly. With this laughter, you could roll on the floor or double up.
Practise these types of laughter daily. It will make such a difference to the outcome of your day. If you have any questions, please ask them by clicking on comment. Other comments welcome. If you are doing the laughter exercises, how often do you do them and how has it changed your outlook. Would like to hear from you!!
Agapelife
Ref:- R. Belasekar
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Spiritual Aspect of Laughter- 2
A good laugh brings sunshine in the house. (William M. Thackeray)
Laughter is a deeply spiritual Emotion! Why?
Laughter has the ability to clear the air and makes us present in the moment. It brings inner peace and Dr Kataria of the Yoga Laughter clubs believe if more people joined in the laughter, world peace is possible.
Do you see the absurdity in daily life?
Laughter is able to help you focus, not on problems but solutions to them. Laughter has a way of clearing your mind to focus on what really matters. Laughter is attention grabbing. Laughter is powerful enough to release pent-up emotions and regenerate helpful memories.
So laughter is important for daily spirituality as it Lightens the heart and Lifts up the Soul. Remember the proverb - "Laugh and the whole world laughs with you"....
Tomorrow on Gelotology which is the Study of Laughter, we wil1 visit 4 types of laughter.
Agapelife
Laughter is a deeply spiritual Emotion! Why?
Laughter has the ability to clear the air and makes us present in the moment. It brings inner peace and Dr Kataria of the Yoga Laughter clubs believe if more people joined in the laughter, world peace is possible.
Do you see the absurdity in daily life?
Laughter is able to help you focus, not on problems but solutions to them. Laughter has a way of clearing your mind to focus on what really matters. Laughter is attention grabbing. Laughter is powerful enough to release pent-up emotions and regenerate helpful memories.
So laughter is important for daily spirituality as it Lightens the heart and Lifts up the Soul. Remember the proverb - "Laugh and the whole world laughs with you"....
Tomorrow on Gelotology which is the Study of Laughter, we wil1 visit 4 types of laughter.
Agapelife
Monday, July 14, 2008
Easy Ways to Bring Laughter into Your Life
I have researched and taught all aspects of Laughter Therapy for the last 9 & 1/2 years and have been completely inspired by its power to lift mood, reduce pain, connect people, boost motivation and confidence and much, much more.
I think often people make the laughter and smiling search more complicated than its needs to be. I do look at humour types and analyse occupations to try and optimize opportunities for laughter... but I also think finding laughter should simply be put on to your daily agenda like eating fruit and veg.
Make a conscious decision to try and find your day fun, spend twenty minutes (plus if you can) actively looking for the funny in situations or around you, see someone who is light and smiley, do an activity that may bring in laughs (see a comedy, join a new gym class, people watch etc).
People often get distracted by the type of laughter they want, most people want rip roaring belly laughs.. they often come later after you start to enjoy life, laugh more and change your daily perspective.
Think back to the past, what made you laugh? What did you do as a child, teenager,in your twenties, thirties etc that made you laugh? Who makes you laugh? Can you find more people with the same attitude, could you see this person more or when you need their lightness to balance your day with humour?
Ask yourself questions, what stops you laughing? Who don't you laugh with? When don't you laugh? Then be pro-active... if you don't laugh with someone can you change How, When and Where you see them? Maybe meet them out for coffee as opposed to going to their house or invite them to a stand up comedy night. Give opportunities for relationships to change and develop.
Focus on finding fun, happiness and laughter in all you do. Try not to think I am not laughing whilst I do whatever it is you're doing... think instead what can I do to get laughter now or next time.
Alice Hortop
Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy In University of West England (UWE)
Laughter Therapy Specialist
I think often people make the laughter and smiling search more complicated than its needs to be. I do look at humour types and analyse occupations to try and optimize opportunities for laughter... but I also think finding laughter should simply be put on to your daily agenda like eating fruit and veg.
Make a conscious decision to try and find your day fun, spend twenty minutes (plus if you can) actively looking for the funny in situations or around you, see someone who is light and smiley, do an activity that may bring in laughs (see a comedy, join a new gym class, people watch etc).
People often get distracted by the type of laughter they want, most people want rip roaring belly laughs.. they often come later after you start to enjoy life, laugh more and change your daily perspective.
Think back to the past, what made you laugh? What did you do as a child, teenager,in your twenties, thirties etc that made you laugh? Who makes you laugh? Can you find more people with the same attitude, could you see this person more or when you need their lightness to balance your day with humour?
Ask yourself questions, what stops you laughing? Who don't you laugh with? When don't you laugh? Then be pro-active... if you don't laugh with someone can you change How, When and Where you see them? Maybe meet them out for coffee as opposed to going to their house or invite them to a stand up comedy night. Give opportunities for relationships to change and develop.
Focus on finding fun, happiness and laughter in all you do. Try not to think I am not laughing whilst I do whatever it is you're doing... think instead what can I do to get laughter now or next time.
Alice Hortop
Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy In University of West England (UWE)
Laughter Therapy Specialist
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Laughter's impact on your social life
So how can laughter affect your social life?
Laughter is a universal language. It is contagious. It breaks down barriers. It is a natural diversion.
Laughter therapy has proved successful in relationship repairs for couples. How many times have you heard a woman saying of her partner, "I love his sense of humor", or a man stating that he fell in love with his wife's sense of humor. It has been used in psycho-therapy. It brings people together.
Please enjoy and send me comments on this video below by the founder of Laughter Clubs Dr. Kataria on world laughter day!
Agapelife
Laughter is a universal language. It is contagious. It breaks down barriers. It is a natural diversion.
Laughter therapy has proved successful in relationship repairs for couples. How many times have you heard a woman saying of her partner, "I love his sense of humor", or a man stating that he fell in love with his wife's sense of humor. It has been used in psycho-therapy. It brings people together.
Please enjoy and send me comments on this video below by the founder of Laughter Clubs Dr. Kataria on world laughter day!
Agapelife
What does laughter do to your body?
So I hope you had at least about a dozen laughs yesterday. Today, we will see how those laughter affected your body.
Laughter does the following as research shows -
1. It lowers blood pressure.
2. It decreases the stress hormones.
3. It boosts the immune system by raising levels of infection-fighting cells.
4. It increases the proteins that fight diseases
5. It triggers the release of endorphins which are the body's natural pain-killers.
(Drs.Lee & Beck)
6.It empties the lungs more, resulting in a cleansing effect. Very beneficial for people with emphysema and other breathing or lung conditions.
7. As a cardiac exercise, a belly laugh is equivalent to jogging and as Norman Cousins stated it is internal jogging.
So laughter is an aerobic exercise.
On Monday, we will have a guest blogger - Laughter Specialist, occupational therapist from UK, who has researched and uses laughter in her practice. So return to check it out. Tomorrow how laughter helps you mentally, emotionally and spritually?
Agapelife
Laughter does the following as research shows -
1. It lowers blood pressure.
2. It decreases the stress hormones.
3. It boosts the immune system by raising levels of infection-fighting cells.
4. It increases the proteins that fight diseases
5. It triggers the release of endorphins which are the body's natural pain-killers.
(Drs.Lee & Beck)
6.It empties the lungs more, resulting in a cleansing effect. Very beneficial for people with emphysema and other breathing or lung conditions.
7. As a cardiac exercise, a belly laugh is equivalent to jogging and as Norman Cousins stated it is internal jogging.
So laughter is an aerobic exercise.
On Monday, we will have a guest blogger - Laughter Specialist, occupational therapist from UK, who has researched and uses laughter in her practice. So return to check it out. Tomorrow how laughter helps you mentally, emotionally and spritually?
Agapelife
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Laughter relieves these negative 3
Laughter relieves these three negative emotions - 1. anger, 2. anxiety 3. boredom
Anger
I remember when a patient was angry and demanding, I would say something funny or do something funny which would induce laughter from the angry person - O did I say angry - the person was no longer angry.
Anxiety
Did you notice that when you went for an injection or blood tests, if the nurse or technician was saying something funny, you hardly felt the needle?
Boredom
When a job is boring or tedious or you are in a boring situation like waiting in traffic jams, listening to a comedy cd or joking or laughing with a colleague suddenly alleviate the boredom. I know the DJ in our local radio morning show always has funny incidents or stories.
According to A. Hortop, we should laugh fifty times a day to have great health. Did you gasp at 50 times. This includes giggles, belly laughs, grinning,peals of laughter. Dr E. Chow stated 8 belly laughs a day in her qigong therapy.
Tomorrow, we will look at how laughter exercises certain parts of the body to good health.
Agapelife
Anger
I remember when a patient was angry and demanding, I would say something funny or do something funny which would induce laughter from the angry person - O did I say angry - the person was no longer angry.
Anxiety
Did you notice that when you went for an injection or blood tests, if the nurse or technician was saying something funny, you hardly felt the needle?
Boredom
When a job is boring or tedious or you are in a boring situation like waiting in traffic jams, listening to a comedy cd or joking or laughing with a colleague suddenly alleviate the boredom. I know the DJ in our local radio morning show always has funny incidents or stories.
According to A. Hortop, we should laugh fifty times a day to have great health. Did you gasp at 50 times. This includes giggles, belly laughs, grinning,peals of laughter. Dr E. Chow stated 8 belly laughs a day in her qigong therapy.
Tomorrow, we will look at how laughter exercises certain parts of the body to good health.
Agapelife
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Muscles needed for a smile and for a frown
This question was placed on BC forum and no-one came close to the answer for a frown but one person gave the right answer for a smile. Most of the respondents stated that more muscles were needed for a frown.
We use 72 muscles to Frown. We use only 14 muscles to Smile. Smile is the beginning of a laugh. Both are infectious.
Laughter has been re-discovered as a Powerful Arsenal in the battle against many mental and physical diseases.
Even though we seem to be exercising more muscles for a frown, it is laughter that has been called "Inner Jogging" Norman Cousins. That is why it has helped patients who had poor physical endurance or poor limbs that prevented them to jog exteriorly.
Seriously folks, laughter has been given a boost in the Health Care System, finally!
Studies have shown that people who laughed and had a good sense of humor were 40% less likely to have heart attacks or strokes. Some Hospitals have included formal and informal laughter therapy programs. India has laughing clubs as many as there are rotary clubs in the United States. During the National Health Week in Wales, prominence was given to Laughter workshops conducted by none other than a Laughter Specialist.
Tomorrow we will continue with Laughter and Humor. What emotions it releases? Explore the functions of Humor and laughter?
Forget about apples. How many Laughs a day will keep the doctor away??
Agapelife
We use 72 muscles to Frown. We use only 14 muscles to Smile. Smile is the beginning of a laugh. Both are infectious.
Laughter has been re-discovered as a Powerful Arsenal in the battle against many mental and physical diseases.
Even though we seem to be exercising more muscles for a frown, it is laughter that has been called "Inner Jogging" Norman Cousins. That is why it has helped patients who had poor physical endurance or poor limbs that prevented them to jog exteriorly.
Seriously folks, laughter has been given a boost in the Health Care System, finally!
Studies have shown that people who laughed and had a good sense of humor were 40% less likely to have heart attacks or strokes. Some Hospitals have included formal and informal laughter therapy programs. India has laughing clubs as many as there are rotary clubs in the United States. During the National Health Week in Wales, prominence was given to Laughter workshops conducted by none other than a Laughter Specialist.
Tomorrow we will continue with Laughter and Humor. What emotions it releases? Explore the functions of Humor and laughter?
Forget about apples. How many Laughs a day will keep the doctor away??
Agapelife
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