October 2009 Healthy Laugh-Style Newsletter

October 2009 Healthy Laugh-Style Newsletter

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Laughter Yoga Report

Thank you for your continued support of laughter, love and peace, a.k.a., laughlovepeace. Even though the practice of laughter yoga is light-hearted, most people don't come to classes because they're having such a great day. Because we're using laughter as exercise, you don't have to be in a good mood to participate.

These are the lastest updates to our schedule and reports from classes:

Recovery Support Picnic: Through Region Ten. This Saturday! About 50 in attendance.

The Senior Center: We have about 5-7 regular participants and hope for more! Every Sunday from 3-4 pm. It's so much fun to be with these "veteran" laughers.

Studio 206: We started a weekly Saturday class from 2-3 in the afternoon per requests. We seem to have one regular participant - like any new class, it takes time for people to hear about it, schedule it, etc. Free parking in the garages with their stamp.

Lee Park: Discontinued due to the fact that no one is actually in Lee Park early in the morning. We may start a morning class at First Street over the winter after construction is finished.

ACRJ: Leigh is still volunteering with women inmates. See the report below for the latest.

UVA: Body/Mind staff laughter yoga class November 7th. I'm a speaker in a "positivity" class December 1st. Over 50 students attended my first class, "ha ha happy hour" at the gym. They plan to add me as a regular teacher for the winter semester. I hope to start a laughter club on The Lawn everntually.

"Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it." -- Thomas Jefferson

Retreats: Info coming soon for workshops this fall and spring at Bridge Between the Worlds.

Parks & Recreation: NEW winter classes, Wednesdays from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Location & start date TBA.

3rd Annual Valentine's Laughter Celebration through Parks & Recreation, 2/13/10. (can you believe it'll be 2010?) Location & time TBA.

We are very excited and grateful!

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Pure silliness.

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The Ageless Senior Center Laughter Club

We're still meeting every Sunday afternoon from 3-4 p.m., and would love to have you join us! All ages and ranges of mobility welcome. Laughter yoga has been endorsed by the AARP.

Open to ALL AGES - Senior Center membership not required. Suggested donation: $5.

Report! We have 5-7 regular "members" and growing. Very good, very good, yay!

Find out more...

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NEW Saturday Class!
Weekly, 2-3 p.m.

At beautiful Studio 206!

206 W. Market St. Downtown

Between Felini's & Brown's Lock & Safe

near Vinegar Hill Theater

Parking in garages at 4th & Market and Water St. validated for up to 2 hours.

Led by Leigh & Jon.

More information: www.yogalaughs.com
www.studio206downtown.com

Suggested donation: $5

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A Balanced Relationship

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Dolphins Play with Underwater Bubble Rings
(click the pic)

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Crying Her Way to Laughter, Love and Peace

I volunteer with women inmates at the local jail. My "laughter classes" are part of the re-entry program. If you're selected to be in the program, you're required to participate in all of the classes. I lead laughter classes twice a week. I asked for two classes a week so participants would get the full benefit of regular laughter.

Last week, one of the women was in my class while her 4 year-old son was in surgery. He apparently had a 50/50 chance of surviving the surgery. She couldn't be with him -- well, because she was in jail. Her anxiety seemed off the charts.

Through her tears, she shared her situation with the group. We tried to empathize, listen, and ultimately ended up giving her a big group hug. "There's a time to laugh", I said. "You're welcome to skip today's class." Courageously, she said laughter may help her cope.

So we began laughing exercises and games, through which she cried at first. Then she announced she was going to use her laughter to release stress. She, along with the rest of our group, blew the top off of the jail with our robust laughter.

I include time for feedback at the end of classes. She had much to say - but one comment truly touched me. She said, "Now, THIS is peace."

Her courage led her through the process of laughter, love and peace. I sign all of my emails with laughlovepeace, because we can't help the progression of the three during laughter yoga. I invite you to try out a class. We welcome your tears, laughter, love and peace.

laughlovepeace,
Leigh

PS - Her son made it through surgery just fine.

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