Who doesn’t need more laughter in their lives? It’s supposed to be the best medicine (except maybe for those recovering from abdominal surgery!)
On Blue Monday – the January day deemed by some to be the most depressing of the year – we decided to try out a Laughter Yoga session in Spalding. Here’s Louise Chapman’s take…
Laughter yoga felt a bit like toddler group without the toddlers. It was ridiculous, silly, uncomfortable at times, and, I think, all of that was entirely the point.
Much of the time the laughter was forced and fake but again that’s allowed – actively encouraged in fact.
In a place where you’re enticed to give yourself a hug (a ‘Healthy Selfie’) and act out clearing your mind with Mental Floss (yes, that does involve pretending to dental floss your own brain) pretty much anything goes.
There were moments of genuine laughter – for me that was mostly when I imagined loved-ones watching me taking part in the session’s activities, but whether fake or real the idea is to laugh and extract all the benefits.
Laughter floods your body with happy hormones, encourages deep breathing, works out many muscles and, of course, puts a smile on your face. They say laughter is food for the soul and positive thinking is incredibly healing and Laughter Yoga attempts to promote both things.
I felt silly singing If You’re Happy and You Know It-type songs, complete with actions, in a room full of adults, but also wondered at what it says about us all that it’s so difficult to really let yourself go (whilst sober at least).
The atmosphere could not have been more warm and welcoming, with a ‘we’re all in this together’ emphasis that meant everyone loosened up more and more as the session went on.
In addition to exercises that prompted you to laugh either as the outward breath on a deep breathing exercise or whilst shaking the hand of and making eye contact with another group member, there was an element of ‘mindfulness’ to the session too.
It rounded off with quiet meditation, the soothing voice of coach Linda Nightingale encouraging you to focus on nothing but your own breathing, backed by peaceful instrumental music.
The whole point of the session was to leave your troubles at the door, enjoy the company of a gaggle of new friends and immerse yourself entirely in the moment – surely something everyone would benefit from doing a little more of.
Give it a go and ‘let out your inner child’ at Spalding’s Pennygate Foundation, Pennygate, Spalding, fortnightly on Mondays 11am-noon (£5 per session including tea or coffee).
