Laughter Yoga For Women???
Laughter Yoga For Women. You think I’m screwin’ with you, don’t you? Because it would be disrespectful to turn the quiet, personal, respectable practice of yoga into what basically sounds like a joke, right? Nope! No disrespect here, although that was exactly what my thoughts were the first time I heard of it. Laughter Yoga for women is not a joke. It’s a real thing, and an amazing way to keep your spirits high and your overall health in good shape!
So Let’s Take a Look at the Logistics Here…
Laughter is, without a doubt, the best medicine for the soul. It’s that magical elixir that brings an instant smile to your face and lifts your spirits, no matter what life throws your way. But to incorporate that wild abandon of pee-your-pants-laughter… with yoga? To be honest, ‘laughter yoga’ for women sounded ridiculous to me, and until I did some research, it felt like an extremely odd and unlikely pairing.
I’ve been wrong once before (…okay maybe twice). In this case though, being wrong made me so excited to not only experience this newfound activity, but to share it with my “people”! So, let’s jump into what I learned about “Laughter Yoga”.
What Exactly is Laughter Yoga?
Imagine a room full of people, all laughing their hearts out, not because of a joke or a comedy show, but simply because they want to. Laughter Yoga is a unique concept that combines unconditional laughter with yogic breathing techniques. Created by Dr. Madan Kataria in the 1990’s, this practice has now become a global sensation, bringing joy and health benefits to countless people worldwide.
What Happens in a “Laughter Yoga” Class?
In a Laughter Yoga class, the primary goal is to induce laughter through a series of intentional exercises and activities. Participants engage in a combination of playful laughter exercises, deep breathing techniques, and physical movements, all facillitated by a Laughter Yoga instructor. The key technique used to initiate laughter is called “forced laughter”.
During the session, participants are encouraged to practice various simulated laughter exercises, such as the “milkshake laughter”, “lion laughter”, or “silent laughter”, among others. These exercises often involve playful interactions, eye contact, and body movements that mimic the act of laughing.
Participants are encouraged to let go of inhibitions and embrace the concept of unconditional laughter, which eventually transitions into genuine and contagious laughter. Additionally, deep breathing techniques borrowed from traditional yoga practices are incorporated, promoting relaxation and enhancing the overall experience.
These controlled breathing exercises help in oxygenating the body, reducing stress, and boosting overall well-being. As the session progresses, the forced laughter often transforms into genuine, spontaneous laughter, leading to a joyful and energizing atmosphere within the class.
The Magic of Laughter Yoga for Women Over Fifty
Life after 50 can bring its own set of challenges, but it’s important to remember that age is just a number. Laughter Yoga offers an incredible array of benefits tailor-made for this golden phase of life…
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- Boosts Immunity: Laughter has been shown to enhance immune functions, helping your body combat illnesses more effectively.
- Stress Buster: Laughter reduces the levels of stress hormones in the body, providing a natural way to combat anxiety and stress.
- Improves Mood: It stimulates the release of endorphins, the natural feel-good chemicals in our body, promoting an overall sense of well-being and happiness.
- Strengthens Relationships: Laughter is infectious and creates a sense of community, fostering stronger bonds and building lasting relationships.
- Enhances Heart Health Laughter is known to improve blood circulation and increase the efficiency of blood vessels, thus contributing to a healthier heart.
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Join the Laughter Yoga Revolution
Now you might be wondering where you can find this magical laughter group? Well, it might be closer than you think. Laughter Yoga clubs and sessions are sprouting up worldwide, with many offering specialized classes for seniors.
Check your local community centers, yoga studios, or even consider starting your own laughter club with friends. Laughter is contagious, after all!
A Little Preparation for Your Laughter Yoga Experience …
Okay, I’m thinking that if I gathered up my sister, and a few of my crazy friends, this might really be fun. Remember when you laughed so hard your stomach actually hurt?
I also remember laughing so hard I was afraid I’d pee my pants, but didn’t cuz I was young. But now I’m not. So, wait… Yikes. If I want to take a class like this and enjoy it without any distractions, there are definitely a few things I need to address. Hang on while I do a little shopping.
Okay, I’ve shared a few products below that are on my list to get before my first class (I’ve given an explanation why for each).
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Back in the day, I would have latched on to a class like this with reckless abandon and stayed for hours laughing my ass off!
These days, though, I don’t know about you, but I’m not completely comfortable that I could laugh hard while I was exercising, and pull it off without some leakage happening.
Extra-Thick Yoga Mat
I’ve done yoga and exercise classes in the past at the gym and community centers, etc. I’m not a germaphobe or anything, but I do have to admit that I prefer sweating on and rolling around on my own yoga mat. I know the “house” mats are cleaned and disinfected, (they are, right?) but why have that thought sitting in the back of your mind when you’re straddling that sucker?
Along with the sanitation thing, I’ve got some aches and pains and I like a little cush in my mat. I loved the thickness of this one.
This might be more of an odd “me” thing, but I’m not all that great with surprises. Here’s the deal…I’ve researched this new crazy laughter yoga class, and it sounds like a hoot, plus I definitely need to get my body moving, and who doesn’t need to laugh more? It should be a lot of fun…but what if it isn’t? I want to know more before I dip my toe in.
This book is written by the founder of Laughter Yoga, Dr. Madan Kataria. I like knowing that after reading this, I’ll be more excited than anxious going to a new class armed with a better feel for what to expect. I know, I know, “Where’s your sense of adventure, Pat?”. (I just really dislike being stuck somewhere that turned out to be not what I was expecting, ya know?) Anyone else?
Yoga Pants w/ Pockets
These yoga pants are the BEST! I have several pair of these, some full length, some capris, all patterns. They stretch and stretch and bounce right back into shape. They’re comfortable. They’re flattering.
They last forever! (I bought my first pair three years ago in 2020), wore them a lot, and I mean a LOT! They still look great, and still have that bounce-back thing going on. See recent pics below. (The inseams are only just a little bit frayed, but those thighs-o-mine did some major rubbing for a time, so I can’t fault the pants. My chubby little thighs causing constant friction were the culprits.)
This brand is my number one recommendation in yoga pants. You won’t be disappointed! I liked them so much I wrote a review on the the ones I bought in 2020 (different pattern than those shown above – same pants). You can read the review HERE.
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In Conclusion…
Laughter Yoga is not just a passing trend; it’s a new and creative way of embracing joy and well-being. So, unleash that laughter, be uninhibited, and embrace that feeling of just letting yourself be free. Laugh your way to better health and a more vibrant life. Because, as they say, laughter truly is the best medicine, and it’s never too late to start!
Let’s Do This!
I’m pretty pumped to get busy searching to see if there’s one of these classes in my area. I would LOVE if any of you has tried one of these Laughter Yoga classes to please comment below and share your experience with us!
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