DID WE FIND MUCH TO LAUGH ABOUT OVER THE LAST YEAR ?? My guess is that many of us cannot remember the last time we had a good belly laugh. Many people suffer SAD syndrome during the winter months and laughter seems in short supply. On a positive note (as I always am) I love the first couple of months of the year , a new fresh start, new habits to form, cosy nights in catching up on whole series I missed in my long going out Summer days.
LAUGHTER is something we do often as children but it becomes more infrequent as the seriousness of life takes hold. So my fellow stylistas its time to laugh ……..be loud and proud. Laughing is proven to have many benefits.
- Relieves physical tension and stress
- Diffuses anger and conflict. Do this exercise with a partner if there is hidden resentment.
- Decrease pain.
- Boosts the immune system
- Increases blood flow which can strengthen the heart
- Burns calories
- Releases endorphins the “happiness drug”
As part of my training in the old days to become a Sound Therapist I had to learn and experience Happiness Yoga or…….Laughter Yoga as it is commonly known. This REALLY works and I GUARANTEE will have you laughing and releasing those feel good hormones and lift your happiness levels and fill your endorphin tubes to the brim. It is such fun if you do it with others but even on your own can start your day off the right way. Equally if you have had a hard day do it in the evening and laugh your way into bed great for relaxation and get rid of the days negative energy.
This is SOOOO good I wanted to share it with you………..
- No special clothing required . Location your own choice. Get the office involved.
- We are going to laugh your way up the body.
HUH
Stand with your feet apart shoulders relaxed. Hands on your hips. Bounce your body up and down on your heels. On the out breath vocal a series of rapid HUH, HUH sounds (as in the word hug). Feel your abdominal muscles tightening as you make the sound. Focus the sound into your hip/pelvic area. Rest
HO
Place your hands on your belly. Bounce up and down on your heels. On the out breath utter a series of rapid HO, HO sounds (as in the word holy). Feel your abdominal muscles tightening as you make the sound. Focus the sound in your belly area. Rest
HA
Place your hands on your chest. Bounce your body on your heels. On the out breath vocal a series of rapid HA, HA sounds (as in the word happy). Focus the sound in your chest/heart area. Feel your heart muscles vibrating with the sound. Rest.
HEH
Place your hands on or near your throat. Bounce your body by lifting your heels. on the out breath vocal a series of rapid HEH, HEH sounds (as in the word heaven). Focus the sound in your throat. Rest.
HEE
Bounce your body on your heels. On the out breath vocal a series of rapid HEE HEE sounds (as in the word Heal). Raise your arms above the head as you make the sound. Focus the sound at the top of your head. Rest
FLOW
Use all five sounds at random moving from one sound to another in no particular order. Keep the body moving. When you have finished laughing up and down your body, lie down and rest.
Once you really start laughing its a good idea to keep stamping your feet to keep you grounded and stop getting too light hearted.
If you have enjoyed your Happiness Yoga check out this video we did at The Edinburgh Fringe How TO Laugh More.
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: LAUGHING WHETHER FORCED OR NATURAL HAS EXACTLY THE SAME EFFECT ON OUR ENDORPHINS. TRY IT…..AND OFTEN. COME ON GUYS LETS HAVE AGOOD LAUGH TOGETHER !
Mwah mwah
JOJO XXXXXX
Inspiring 🙏