Monday, June 28, 2010

HO HO HA HA HA....

Can you hear it? The laughter of course! This weekend I finished my training to become a certified Laughter Yoga Leader. It was AWESOME! We laughed so hard and for so long that I'm sure you could hear it from wherever you are. I went into the first day of class feeling a little sluggish and by the end of the second day I was literally THRUMMING with health and joy.

This is from the LaughterYoga.org website:
Laughter Yoga has been scientifically proven that laughter is both preventive and therapeutic. People practicing Laughter Yoga regularly report amazing improvement in their health as well as a more positive mental attitude and higher energy levels. The first thing participants say is that they don’t fall sick very often; the frequency of normal cold and flu reduces or even disappears. There are daily reports of partial or total cure of most stress-related illnesses like hypertension, heart disease, depression, asthma, arthritis, allergies, stiff muscles and more. While this sounds fantastic, it all makes perfect sense, as laughter is nature’s best cure for stress.

Most illnesses today are stress related and chronic stress attacks the immune system and makes us vulnerable to infections, virus attack and cancer. In fact, this is a major motive for people taking to Laughter Yoga. You can feel the difference from the very first session. You get energized; your mood changes and you feel great. With regular practice you can experience a big change in mental and physical health. Laughter Yoga practitioners are happier and healthier; they can cope with stress better, and have a positive outlook on life.


Still not convinced? Check this out:


If you haven't tried Laughter yoga yet go to the laughteryoga.org site here to find a club or class to try. Also, I will be offering a class in the Fall at Cedar Hills Recreational Center if you are interested in trying it with me. I'd love to have you come play with me.

Love and giggles to you all,

Jan

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Blogging my way out of catastrophe....

This is a "blog-lite" posting today. Just an attempt to get my feet back in the water and get inspired to post again. I've been overwhelmed with stress, unchecked emotions, and illness lately and the thought of writing has seemed insurmountable. "I'm too worn out" or "I won't be able to be creative enough right now". How silly. It's just writing. Do you build things up to ridiculous proportions in your own mind too? I love this quote from Mark Twain, "I've suffered a great many catastrophes in my life. Most of them never happened."

We humans are so talented at manufacturing hurdles for ourselves out of nothing. I try to catch myself doing this nowadays but it is insidious. The antidote of course is to just be real and present in this breath and moment. Because the past is done and the future will unfold as it will, but THIS moment is the one that we can give ourselves to wholly... again and again. This moment is very likely not filled with catastrophe at all, just space and mindfulness. Instead, it is pregnant with potential.

I invite you to look into your own life for things you worry about that have little or no basis in reality. I'd be so interested to hear your opinions on this or any other topic.

Wishing you a beautiful moment,

Jan