Is Laughter Yoga Appropriate Right Now?

In our personal lives and in the world, things are quite serious. When laughing with others, we must choose when and how to offer Laughter Yoga in a respectful way. Because this skill does not rely on jokes or humor, it’s much more flexible to be used in a variety of circumstances. During stress, choosing to laugh by yourself can provide valuable stress relief.

From my perspective, laughing every day is a useful form of exercise and mental health care. I have suffered through loss and health problems where depression can sneak in easily. Making the choice to laugh alone daily allows me some influence on my own health. Sometimes laughter flows easily, while other times crying is the result. After surgery, silent laughing or daily smiling is all that is possible, yet continuing the habit maintains my sense of self. Loss of control can add to already stressful events. Regaining some autonomy through smiles and laughs feels empowering!

During tough times, sadness, stress and fear build up in our minds and bodies. Laughter Yoga as a coping skill is a simple and effective release. Our mind can shift into a relaxed or even cheerful state with hearty laughter. Life circumstances may not change, yet how we feel can actually change very quickly.

When I feel awful, the old fashioned advice of my great grandmother still applies: try a drink of water, a solid night sleep and a good hearty laugh! Ha Ha Ha Ho Ho Ho!

Cynthia Paris
CLYT — Eagle Lake, Wisconsin

Online Laughter Groups with Zoom

We have many options to continue laughter despite many locations still social distancing. Zoom interactive video conferencing is one of the easiest and most popular options from a computer or smartphone app. Because it is interactive, it allows eye contact which we know encourages contagious laughing! Early in March, many laughter professionals began hosting free sessions on Zoom.

Here are some basic ideas to help you join in the fun!

1. Mute? Video off? Generally, we use Zoom so we can hear and see one another in real time, allowing contagious laughter. If you have background noise- be courteous and mute your microphone. Being online can get tiring. Some may be tempted to multi-task, especially if there is excessive talking or distractions. Video does take a lot of bandwidth (internet power). If there is an issue with screens freezing often, you may need others to turn off their video. Of course, the downside is less group eye contact, although in a pinch it can help. If you need to walk away for a moment, turning off video is a good idea.

1. Prepare your lighting and background. Light your face and arms from side or front, not from behind or ceiling.  Try a practice Zoom to check for shadows or bright spots when you move. Be aware to look directly at your camera and not just at screen. It is easy to get distracted and look at your own image too often, so practice will help. Studies show that cognitive fatigue occurs more often when we constantly look at our own image. It is not natural to see yourself every moment and it causes slow grade cognitive distress! Solve it by looking at camera and others more.
   Keep your background simple if possible. Be aware of your audience and adapt your background. Child friendly? Professional? Cheerful? Promotional? However, avoid promotions of your groups, clubs or training when in someone else’s group- unless they ask of course! As a courtesy, message host before session if you plan to have a sign advertising your or someone else’s business/club. Zoom allows us to be intimately invited into groups and clubs that we did not have access to before! With this invitation comes the need to walk gently. If you choose to use the feature allowing computer photo to show as your background- please be aware that it can be distracting and sometimes you “disappear” into the background. Of course, many of us are at home on Zoom- don’t forget to look behind you for dirty dishes, messy tables or other things that might look odd on camera! You can always turn off your video if you suddenly notice a background that is too distracting.

3. Troublemakers? Many people are stressed and looking for an outlet. Same as an in-person group, you may see outbursts or other behavior that’s not appropriate. Fortunately, the host can remove a participant by right clicking on their picture or place them in waiting room (time out). If it is a large group, co-hosts can be designated to assist. Be sure to keep the default video setting which allows only host to share computer screen content. Address trouble quickly and go on with your group.
   If you find some LY Pros joining your sessions and not respecting your lead or style, please message them privately. When you are a guest, be sure to show support and respect of the host!

4. Meeting ID and password. A method to control who attends online sessions- the host can create unique meeting IDs or passwords. Some people feel this helps prevent troublemakers, however, it could make it too complicated for group members. If you host a weekly session, it is easiest to keep the same ID each week. For one-time or private sessions, emailing attendees the new ID is simple.

5. Landline? Did you know that Zoom works with any phone? From within the USA, using a dial in option will allow participants to listen and join laughter Zooms. Of course, they will not have video, but hearing laughter can rejuvenate those without higher tech options.

6. Support others yet allow the host to lead. Being online with Zoom allows us to visit clubs anywhere! It’s a wonderful opportunity to be joyful and support other Laughter professionals. We can jump into their club with just a few clicks- no travel needed! Hosts often open their sessions for clients, new laughers, laugh pros or others and post information allowing anyone to join. However, another reminder, please be courteous when you are a guest. Please wait for host to invite sharing before you share about your own club, training or other event. Keep in mind that each host has a different feeling about promotion — especially regarding paid events or trainings. Some hosts want guests to share, while other hosts prefer not.

As you travel on this zoom journey- you will notice a variety of styles,themes, and formats.

Basic style categories can be described as:

1. Talking (introductions, explanations, discussion, etc.)
2. Follow the Leader (limited or no talking)
3. Just Laugh (laughing, giggling without a leader or specific LY exercise)
4. The Arts – music, dance, sing, play (with or without laughter)
5. Combination of Ctyles (mixture of any or all the above)

In the next newsletter, we will share best practices for each style. Please send us your thoughts and comments! It is exciting and fun to participate with so many different styles- without ever leaving your home! For many, Zoom laughter groups are here to stay. Join in the fun- I look forward to zooming with you soon!

Cynthia Paris
CLYT — Eagle Lake, Wisconsin

It’s timely that we should launch our 2020 Laughter Yoga USA Newsletter during the pandemic and the rising of racial upheaval and political unrest.

Recently, we have found ourselves awakened to a new world. The world as we know it has forever changed.

Laughter Yoga as a healing art form has the ability to educate, inspire, motivate, awaken our senses, our mindfulness and enhance our creativity. The laughter exercises themselves are improvisational and they allow us to remain alert and think quickly on our feet- which is helpful in our personal and professional lives. It’s no wonder that many creative types are drawn to the Laughter Yoga community. We as Laughter professionals are like magicians or alchemists; we weave and cast our magical laughter spells, which help to transform a depressing or negative mood for our client’s population. At any given time, Laughter Yogis get to start out our day using a blank canvas, as metaphor. Coloring our world, we decide on the strokes, the images, the words, and how this can help to shape or frame our day and transcend any emotional and physical pain. We apply these brushed strokes- which give us permission to laugh in the face of adversity, be creative, joyful and playful.

The Alexander Pope quote, “Hope springs eternal,” comes to mind in the darkest of times. In The Laughter Flash: The Creative Corner,  we’ll SHINE A LIGHT ON and get to highlight a few Laughter Yogis in the community who have shared their creativity in various art forms. I’ve chosen the theme of HOPE, which seems fitting during these challenging times, to uplift our spirits towards brighter future full of possibilities.

Throughout the Laughter years, these women profiled, have journeyed in their homes, streets, beaches, and gardens- stumbling upon new vistas and gaining fresh perspectives through their creativity. These explorations have helped to stir their creative juices and ignite their spirits- leaving them bubbling with new insights and emerging creative endeavors.

Poetry of Hope

I’ve included Cara Nusinov’s poem entitled “Tomorrows.”  Cara writes, “When I saw children popping bubbles and deer leap in these challenging times, I laughed and felt hopeful. I laugh for health as a laughter leader. As a poet, I write about serious and happy events. I strive for balance. My mother says, where there is life there is hope.”

Flowers of Hope

Cynthia Conus Keeler‘s photographic images are a series of yellow hued flowers and plants. I choose her uplifting yellow colored images, as the color yellow represents: optimism, creativity, happiness, enthusiasm, and confidence. Cynthia writes, “Walking in nature is my meditation. It keeps me in the here and now. Each time I visit the gardens, different flowers are blooming and replacing those that are fading away, which represent the cycle of life, I guess.”

Color Me with Hope

Sarah Routman creates playful, whirly and swirly pages to color on Laughter Doodles. You can download her designs on the Laughter Doodle Facebook page for free.

Here’s Sarah’s Laughter Doodle of HOPE. Sarah writes,” When you’ve laughed yourself out of your mind, a few minutes coloring can be just what the doctor ordered. When you color Laughter Doodles, you get the best of both laughter and coloring together.”

Download the Laughter Doodle of HOPE.

Morning Dew of Hope

Elaine Nieberdling’s photographic images are morning remnants of a nighttime shower. Elaine writes, “There’s beauty in them collecting in a way we could notice and honor H20, the same water that compromises 60% or so, of our physical presence.” When Elaine is taking photographs, she adds,” Sometimes, it’s just textures and visual delight. The sidewalk chalk with the word HOPE really captured the playful curiosity that I associate with hope. Openness to joy that a being, more free and innocent- expresses, embodies.”

Here’s to continued joy, laughter and creativity in the upcoming months, as we navigate this precarious time of uncertainty.

I look forward to seeing you around the corner.

Francine Shore
CLYT — New York, New York