Long before the invention of laughter clubs, some Buddhist monks used to laugh every morning for a few minutes: it was a breathing exercise, intended to get them in shape, while providing them with serenity. Several studies, including one conducted by the University of Maryland in Baltimore, have shown that a sense of humor and laughter reduce the risk of cardiovascular illnesses and increased our years of life. Here are several laughing exercises that will help you reduce stress and tensions.
The inner smile meditation
Sit on the edge of a chair with your feet flat. Exhale deeply to start, then breathe out deeply.
Close your eyes, and think of something that makes you very happy (a sunset, a melody, a child’s smile). Inhale this happiness like a perfume until your chest opens and expands, and as you exhale, let this happiness diffuse into your body. Add a smile to your face to amplify the feeling of dilation in your heart. Your face is relaxed, soothed, it connects you to the best of yourself.
Family tickling workshop
A volunteer lies down comfortably. The others settle around to tickle him. The chef is at the head and enforces the following 3 rules:
1 – Ask if there are prohibited areas and respect them
2 – Announce that we are starting
3 – Stop as soon as the tickled asks for it.
Create your laugh box
Building it is already fun and then using it is funny, even life-saving. Take the time to collect whatever makes you laugh: comics, radio shows, comedians, books, movies, phone numbers of your funniest girlfriends, etc. In case of low morale, dive into it!
Laughter hahaha!
Stretch, yawn, make a Tarzan cry, smile softly, inhale and fill yourself with air then slowly release the sound: ha, haha, hahaha. Repeat and do it with more and more conviction until a real laugh sets in.
Why not practice in a group
As a group you can try one of these exercises.
–The laughter of the heart: laugh as you raise your arms, palms up to the sky, head tilted back. You feel the laughter coming from the bottom of your heart.
–The laughter of the cell phone: you hold an imaginary cell phone in your hand and walk around to others, while mimicking a hilarious conversation.
–Gradual laughter: start with a frank smile, mouth parted, gradually adding chuckles or playful little laughs, which you gradually increase in intensity. At this point, all members are ready to burst into real laughter, for several seconds. Then gradually reduce the laughter until it stops. This laughter can last several minutes.
