Well, April starts off with a joke, April Fool’s Day, and National Humor Month’s intention is to make the laughter last all month long. What is the point of all this silliness? National Humor Month was conceived as a means to heighten public awareness of the therapeutic value of humor. Laughter and joy – the benchmarks of humor – lead to improved well-being, boosted morale, increased communication skills, and an enriched quality of life. Humor as a tool to lift ailing spirits is an established notion supported by scientific research. The curative power of laughter and its ability to relieve debilitating stress and burnout may indeed be one of the great medical discoveries of our times. The science of laughter as good medicine, particularly benefiting seniors is behind a new kind of yoga for seniors called Laughter Yoga. The key to getting the most out of this giggly group exercise is making eye contact when you are open enough to laugh at yourself and be vulnerable with others.
What’s the story behind Laughter Yoga and why is it catching on? Laughter Yoga combines Laughter Exercises with Yogic Deep Breathing, for a complete workout of wellness. Elderly people may suffer from a variety of diseases due to their reduced immunity or decades of unhealthy habits. Laughter yields instant physical changes such as reduced stress and risk factors for stress-related cardiac diseases. Laughter helps to reduce blood pressure and lowers cholesterol levels, triggers feel-good hormone releases and relaxes muscles. In the mid-1990s, laughter yoga started as a social club under the leadership of an Indian doctor. It’s now being practiced worldwide in different venues for a variety of age groups. Some say, it’s a great alternative health therapy for complete body-mind wellness. When you practice this type of yoga, you can laugh for no reason—without relying on a punchline or funny experience.
Read more here: https://news.wbfo.org/post/laughter-yoga-trend-gains-popularity-among-local-seniors
Find a laughter yoga group near you: https://laughteryoga.org/finder/find-club