1 Guided Laughter Justin B. Wright, Certified Laughter Yoga Leader • Background • Research • Benefits • How-To • Conclusion
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Guided Laughter
Justin B. Wright, Certified Laughter Yoga Leader
• Background• Research• Benefits• How-To• Conclusion
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Assumptions
• Laughter is fun• Laughter is healthy• Laughter is contagious• Laughter is easiest with friends• Laughter can be produced
deliberately without comedy
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Philosophy
The Sanskrit word Yoga has the literal meaning “Yoke”. The root yuj means: to join, to unite, to attach, to get hold of, to integrate, or to harmonize.
Laughter Yoga can be a physical, mental, and/or spiritual discipline.
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• 1995 – 1st Laughter Yoga Club formed by Dr. Kataria
• 1996 – I graduate from TESC• 2001-03 – I serve as an AmeriCorps*VISTA• 2003 – “Laughing Clubs of India”
Documentary released on DVD• Circa 2004-5 DVD enters public library
system in West Linn, OR• 2008 – I’m dreaming (and blogging) about
Laughter Yoga• 2010 – My wife and I become Certified
Laughter Yoga Leaders• 2011 – Our friend, Kate, becomes a
Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher
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Olympia Laughter Yoga at OUUC
• We meet each Sunday at 12:30 at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
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CONTRAINDICATIONS
As with any aerobic activity, use precaution– Recent surgery (last 3 months)– Pregnancy– Major psychiatric disorders– Hernia– Heart Disease– Epilepsy– Urinary incontinence– Bleeding piles– Persistent cough
When in doubt consult your physician
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Benefits
• increased energy levels• a rapid decrease of stress levels and better
ability to deal with stress• improved commitment and motivation• increased performance, efficiency,
innovation and problem solving abilities• stronger team spirit• reduced absenteeism and improved health
leading to decreased sick leave and lower medical costs
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How-To
• Be Willing to Laugh• Attitude of Playfulness• Warm-Up Stretches• Call & Response• Signal to Break [VG,VG, Y!x2 or HH/HHHx3]• Eye Contact• Mingle• ‘Yogic’ Breath
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Examples of Themes
• Animals• Holidays• Special Events• Common Life Scenarios• Characters from Fiction