Laughter Yoga Ellen Snoeyenbos, Director, West Bridgewater, ellens@westbpl.org Jessica Lamarre, Head of Children’s, Duxbury, jlamarre@ocln.org

What is Laughter Yoga? Combines laughter exercises with yoga breathing. *Laughter is a universal language *Helps to see others laugh *Can be done alone or in a group *Anyone can do it! Tip Fake it till you make it The body cannot distinguish between real and fake laughter. The benefits are the same!

History https://laughteryoga.org/ Dr Madan Kataria The Laughter Guru Dr Madan Kataria, a medical doctor from Mumbai, India popularly known as the ‘Guru of Giggling’ (London Times), is the founder of Laughter Yoga Clubs movement started in 1995. Started with just five people in a public park in Mumbai in 1995, it has grown into a worldwide movement of more than 6000 Laughter Yoga clubs in over 60 countries.

A rich network of emotional connections is one of the most powerful factors in happiness. Tip Laughter yoga is about developing joy, becoming more emotionally sensitive, developing feelings of caring and sharing, and improving mental attitude.

Laugh for the Health of It Good Mood and More Laughter Healthy Exercise to Beat Stress Health Benefits: reduces the blood pressure, increases oxygen, releases endorphins and serotonin, and strengthens the immune system. Quality of Life: Laughter is a positive energy which helps people to connect with other people quickly and improves relationships. If you laugh more, you will attract many friends. Positive Attitude in Challenging Times : Everyone can laugh when life is good, but how does one laugh when faced with challenges? Laughter helps to create a positive mental state to deal with negative situations and negative people. It gives hope and optimism to cope with difficult times.

What people are saying Depression, anxiety, and chronic stress related diseases report more positive state of mind. Emotional pain, bitterness and hatred found release through cathartic effects of laughter. Chronic pain, migraines, headaches, and asthma are less frequent.

Our Experiences Seniors Girl Scouts Special Needs Nursing Homes Our experiences doing Laughter Yoga with: Seniors Girl Scouts Special Needs Nursing Homes Storytime Transitions

Our Framework Warm Ups Segments Cool Down 20-30 minutes Combination of seating and standing depending on your audience Warm Ups Segments Cool Down

Call: What time is it? Response: IT’S TIME TO LAUGH! Tip Don’t talk too much. LY is about doing and experiencing. Response: IT’S TIME TO LAUGH!

Sample Set List Happy things to laugh about: Scratch ticket Opening: Someone ahead of you in line bought your coffee You got a compliment from someone you didn’t expect You wake up in a great mood You are surprised to find your bank gave you an unexpected credit You just received frequent flyer miles Annoying things to laugh about: Traffic on Route 106 Someone cut in front of you in line Traffic is speeding down your once quiet street The sale price is no longer in effect You can’t find your car in the huge parking lot Your zipper on your favorite pants broke Songs: Take me out to the ball game Row, row, row your boat – on the Town River ABCD- EFG…tune (laughing) Frere Jacques William Tell Overture Seasonal: Rake away the leaves… reveal new growth! Sit outside in the sun… soak up the rays Gratitude laugh Very good, very good, yeay! Final Challenge: 2 minute laugh (build up, go down) Cool Down: Ellen: “#5 Conscious Breathing” Be Laughter CD, Laura Gentry or “What a Wonderful World” Louis Armstrong Jessica: “I’ve Got so Much to Give” by Laurie Berkner” Opening: Breathing & Stretching exercises (Angry Cat/Happy Cat) Close your eyes. (Opening words) Smile to yourself. Become aware. Giggle. Open your eyes and make eye contact! Aloha Laugh (3x) Very good, very good, yeay! Start off: Shake out your hands with laughter. Mental Floss Laughter Cream all over your body Sneeze Laugh Vowel Laughter (a,e,i,o,u) Animal Laugh Argument Laughter Electric Shock Hot Potato Laugh Milk Shake Laugh Ho, ho, ha,ha,ha Evil laugh Goofy Laugh Peek-a-boo laugh Ear wiggle laugh Teeth wired shut laugh Laughter soup Library laugh (quiet, then bursting forth) Embarrassed laugh Credit card laugh Roller Coaster laugh Waiting in line Stand Up: Bumper cars Jack in the Box Rollercoaster Promenade: Car Wash, Dancing Queen Very good, very good, yeay!

Our Resources Websites Media Laughter Yoga University Robert Rivest Laughing Laura Media Laughology DVD Laugh Blasters CD Laugh app 40 Laughter Exercises Robert Rivest Laughter Phone Laura Gentry Laugh CDs

Our Resources (cont.) Local clubs Leader Trainings Articles & Books Clare Godwin- Falmouth Meetup.com Groups Let’s Laugh Today- Franklin & Sharon Westford Laughs Leader Trainings Robert Rivest Articles & Books Why You Should Be Laughing More Spontaneous Happiness by Dr. Andrew Wiel