Laughter Yoga Archives | Laughter For Living

Passion, Play and Laughter Yoga

October 2, 2025October 2, 2025 by Lynette Mitchell

Feeling into what to write about and the word Passion came to me as being a quality that all we all focus on living in our everyday lives. I have heard a lot about it and what I want to share are suggestions to embody it in our feeling nature, working through the mental constructs of what we have heard, observed, been told – our conditioning throughout our lives.

Years ago, attending business meetings, some coaches and leaders used passion as a most important element to live out of, and I suggest that we may hear this message with our heads, rather than our hearts. We take on suggestions and they become words, should, to do and become, without an inner motivation which can best come from our own heart centre.

We beat ourselves up, judge and thrash about trying to make it happen, losing motivation, which ties in with the last issue’s topic where we reach a motivational dip in our lives. What we do has to have a true meaning for us and when it does, we light up. We look and feel lit up and our whole character embodies passion in what we do, whatever that may be.

Perhaps it is simple, such as the joy of knitting or crocheting, collecting and the fun in finding those objects. It can be sport, which anyone of us can be totally absorbed in. If it is exercise, a danger is that it may become an empty habit we keep on doing, without stopping and rejigging, questioning why we do it. A lot of us, myself included, adore gardening, losing ourselves in that activity, whilst a majority of us no doubt, will express an urge to go outside and connect with nature, whether it may be heading up into the hills, or down to the beach. Or simply as we do, going to a park, meeting other doggie people for a chat, being outside, especially at sunset.

As in the way of all habits, they become habitual, another new ritual, like a religion, which may serve us at the time and over time, becomes, shall we say, fulfilled? As in we keep doing it and habits can be outworn, when it is time to release them and go in another direction.

There is nothing wrong in giving up on something. It is when the mind keeps us hanging on to things, which can be anything in our lives (let’s not take personal, worldly commitments into this, we still have to honour those commitments). At times we need to take the time to be quiet, still, contemplative, breathe, meditate perhaps, and reflect upon whether it feels ‘right’ to move on, as our time can be better spent in turning to another activity.

A friend shared with me how in the Philippines, there are better results because their healing approach is treat the whole body. Cancer is the one she spoke of and overall, the human body is looked upon from a holistic bodily approach. I loved hearing that!

We have a four-body system, etheric, emotional, mental and spiritual. Our body is intelligent and I have often heard it said many times over the years, that it can heal itself of just about anything, given the chance to do so.

Coming back to the topic of Passion, Play and Laughter Yoga. It is not naughty to have fun. Our body is a beautiful, unique one. No two bodies or people are exactly alike and neither will t hey be alike all the time, because of the consistent changes that are happening, evolution in a nutshell.

I believe in living each day with love and enthusiasm and if we lose that, what do we have? Grumpy, disillusioned people walking the earth, projecting negativity and where does that come from? Within. We feel what we are projecting our first within ourselves. The same goes when we express or feel love, we are spirit living in a human body, lent to us by Mother Earth who is a loving, benevolent being. In order to give love, it wells up, is expansive and it flows from there, right inside our very own heart. Don’t try to fix the world, work on feeling love and a lightness, infused with passion, overflowing your cup into the world. The world needs it more than ever before and every person makes a difference. You do. I do. We all do. Let’s see if we can get in touch with the passion that has been covered over and get it happening again.

Laughter Yoga definitely helps to do that. It is very freeing. I will not say that it is the be all and end all. It is a wonderful, marvellous tool which we use to assist our body to be healthier and it works on the four body system, as mentioned before. How we do it at laughter club is fantastic as we are involved in playful activities, allowing our inner children to be released and expressed. We sing, laugh, breathe deeply and include positive affirmations. This all helps our overall wellbeing.

It is life changing for people who come along. At the same time, you can do it at home, especially with AI, which I am not a fan of. But if you Google about laughter yoga, many videos and much information comes up immediately for you to be able to do by yourself, if you have sufficient self-determination.

One of the benefits though is the social side of coming together with us or others in a group. Humans need connection with other humans. That I firmly believe. You are always welcome to join us.

So passion and play are crucial to live as if you are fulfilling your purpose in life. It may be a simple purpose too, to live each day to the best of your ability and to ground more love upon the earth. Simple as that. How about that eh?

Hobbies are good, to have an interest or outlet that really lifts you up, inspires you, something creative in particular I feel, not that I am judging watching TV or sporting matches, as they have their place. Choose something which helps you get in touch with your soul expressing through your body, where time stops, seems to stand still, are totally and utterly absorbed in the project, having a still mind and emotions. I find gardening works for me and a new hobby which I am revealing to the world here.

Sometimes we don’t know why we are doing something, at least I don’t. We may simply feel led, that for whatever reason, it feels right to do something, until it doesn’t feel right to do so. We can really miss that. Let me share that 19 years ago, right from the start of offering a free community laughter club and for four or five years, hardly anyone was coming, none at all a lot of the time. This seems to be a good example of following one’s heart. Somehow, I hung on, believing it had the potential of bringing people together, as I always felt it important to maintain positivity and hope in our lives as time passes. I had observed as a youngster that was not the case in adults and somehow, I made the decision, not to let it happen to me. Life can beat us around the ears and it takes conscious application to remain in a positive frame of mind at times. Especially when we are in our darkest hour. You know what I mean?

I have been dabbling in art all my life and would have given it up, and did not feel that I had a particular talent, except that I am dogged about things, hang on maybe too long as well. It is not about being good at it, the main thing is to keep on going. Once I had a bad argument and reacted to John, my hubby and greatest supporter. We were driving towards the city and he said that his previous wife was a real artist and I felt deeply hurt by his remark. I made him stop, jumped out of the car and thumbed a lift back home. This shows my low self esteem at the time and it is not a healthy habit to compare ourselves with another human being.

To be successful, I encourage you to work on your worthiness and monitor your reasons for whatever it is you are doing. You do it for yourself, because you are greatly loved and matter. Does it really make a difference after all, our judgment of what we do and whether we feel something is good or not, because if you are expressing yourself, feeling better for it, it has a purpose.

In my art I have done a lot over the years and each for a long time. I got interested in Zentangle drawing years ago and discovered that the loose, doodling drawings I had been doing for yonks, were very much in that style. Well at present I am passionate about combining my calligraphy, painting, drawing, positive words and affirmations into rock paintings. It feels important to write positive words or sayings and share them with people, as a reminder to keep your chins up – stay positive at all costs. It is alright to drop in doing so, as in steps forwards and backwards. Keep getting up, marching on, going forward and never, ever give up!!!

With my rock paintings, I feel absorbed, completely and utterly. I often listen to something while doing so and for me, it takes me into another space and time, as I feel very still and absorbed. This is what I am suggesting you may like to do, pick up an old creative hobby or a new one and get it happening. I had been doing a daily jigsaw on my tablet for a long time, which was very stilling for the mind and emotions, but not giving me the creativity connection which was missing.

Here is a photo of my rock paintings, as they are presently being expressed, because everything seems to be a new opportunity to learn and grow within myself. Isn’t life simply wondrous? Well it can be so at least.

What will you do?

I would love to hear and encourage you to give yourself a break and become totally absorbed in something which you can feel by the results of doing so, is highly beneficial for your whole body, the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies.

God bless. Sending you love and passion in abundance. Wishing you well.

Laughter and Other Events

The Ferntree Gully Laughter Club meets at 11am on the 2^nd & 4^th Sunday of the month behind the library. We are also greatly appreciative of Ajne, Team Leader at the Ferntree Gully Library who loves and believes in what we do, hosting laughter and meditation sessions on the 4^th Tuesday of the month at 2pm. I also facilitate regular spiritual growth classes and workshops, which you may want to hear about at some stage in your life.

First timers, please contact me, Lynette in case of a meeting change, and if you would like to read my email newsletter, receive the email reminder when the laughter club is on next, or even you may like to join the Facebook group (Google it or ask me).

Cheerio for now and be kind to yourself.

Lots of Love, Laughter and Blessings. Lynette Mitchell.

Can Laughter Yoga Improve Your Relationships?

May 8, 2025May 8, 2025 by Lynette Mitchell

Yes, it can! Hello again and can you believe we are a quarter of the way into 2025? There is not time to waste in our lives, being lazy, selfish or self-centred. It is likely that we can all improve our relationships and learn to communicate better. Can we keep learning, forever and until we cease to live? We most certainly can! What is more, whenever we begin, or return to having the attitude of doing our best and making our life count, it will be perfect timing. My ‘Never ever, ever give up’ motto originated from the content of Winston Churchill’s speech in 1941, which was the year before I was born. I believe it applies to everything we are drawn to in our lives.

Life can be so complicated and yet from my experience, human beings generally complicate their own lives. We can have a useful attitude to co-create our life with God, the Universe, Energy (insert here what you believe in), instead of being a victim to life, rather it being a co-creation with the Universe. We view through our own filters, put there by experiences and life’s conditioning ways. Our needs, desires, ambitions, yearnings, patterns and beliefs create an overall experience.

Most of us go to work for a time and perhaps reach a stage of seeing our unnecessary busy-ness, when we may have felt like life was happening to us, rather than our contribution in it all. We may make a decision about turning our life around, developing a more peaceful, harmonious life, connected with nature, holding greater meaning and purpose.

This can be like entering a new stage, that of decluttering on every level, heading towards living our life as simply as we possibly can, depending on our circumstances and involvement. I often write about decluttering and that too, will take its own never-ending journey, bringing to our lives, enrichment and long-lost meaning.

Laughter yoga has a place in all of this, the journey, self-discovery, empowerment, connections with ourselves and others. The prime reason for this is within the power of laughter and as well, connecting deep within our own sense of self and others. Laughter yoga particularly assists us in overall feelings of wellness in all of our bodies, emotional, mental, physical and spiritual. Our social connections are enhanced when we laugh together with people, especially in a group setting, as we do during laughter sessions.

If you are a regular reader of my blogs, you will have heard me say how things may happen slowly, organically, minimally, as evolution is designed to be that way. We can also hold a keen focus, like tunnel vision, for change to take place quicker. Our body is complex and operates on many levels, subtle as well as what was mentioned in the previous paragraph. Subtle in so far as our feelings are a sum of everything, including our soul and higher spiritual bodies (some people will relate to that).

Therefore, our relationships do in fact improve if we are involved in laughter yoga group activities and even to a lesser degree, laughing together with people in our daily lives.

There are ways to laugh alone also and feel free to email, phone or message me, if you want to find out about doing that. For example, various YouTube channels where laughter leaders have innumerable videos available. One by the laughter yoga guru, Dr Madan Kataria, in particular has a simple one, focusing on the breath and very little movement. It need not be complicated at all, and you can easily incorporate it into your life, if you but choose. And I will add, feel better for implementing regular laughter into your life.

How laughter yoga improves our relationships is therefore first and foremost, to belong to a laughter club, otherwise to practice it alone and develop your physical body awareness.

From my awareness and understanding, how it helps is the impact it has on our feeling of overall wellness, because the body benefits from laughing in a plethora of ways. Our relationships with others in our lives may possibly improve from some of the following.

We benefit from having improved communication and part of this is in this social group situation, we generally share by chatting together over a cuppa afterwards at Rapture café, in Ferntree Gully. This offers opportunities to find out things we have in common, lending a natural and loving support to others. Many people who come along live either actively involved or sedentary, lonely lives. Talking is important to feel we belong and have shared realities with others. Humans have a need to belong, to find our ‘tribe’ as it is often called. It is such a small world. One gentleman member grew up in the town I was born into and knew my two brothers. We have many affinities and people always find this to be the case.

Seeing the gifts in other people is a pastime I like to be involved in, as everyone has something special about them. No doubt many people love to do that as well, meeting with and finding mutual strengths and interests. But if we are too busy transmitting, needing to talk, blah blah blah, we will not be in a receptive, listening space and we will miss this people person richness. It is something I have been working on, being receptive and less needing to transmit. Although I’m very outgoing by nature, it feels important to balance that with being quiet, which develops an attitude which is more in harmony and balance with life, people, interests and relationships.

Conversations take on a life of their own as we discover how to truly listen to others. During laughter club, we practice being present, breathing, watching, listening, laughing and this simple formula assists in improving our ability to relate with other people. This all takes place very naturally and we may not even be aware of it.

Essentially, and summing up, laughter yoga is a great physical exercise which makes us feel better. Our communication and listening skills improve. It is a rich experience. Everyone benefits.

Yet again, I encourage and invite you to come to a laughter session in the park, or inside the Ferntree Gully and Boronia Libraries. It is never too late, and people have taken fifteen years or longer to do just that!

The Ferntree Gully Laughter Club meets at 11am on the 2^nd & 4^th Sunday of the month for half an hour and afterwards, we head to Rapture Cafe, for a hot cuppa and chat. Belonging to the laughter club is quite a social activity and we behave like lifelong friends, sharing together when given the chance to do so. Do you feel like coming along and being part of our small group (usually 6-8 of us each time).

Knox Library Laughter Yoga Sessions

We are at the Ferntree Gully Library 2pm on the 4^th Tuesday of the month and the Boronia Library 11am the 3rd Saturday of the month and I expect not to be able to run it in June.

First timers, please contact me, Lynette in case of a meeting change.

You may like to receive an email newsletter or a free discovery call/chat. Please contact me to arrange a time for either. Additionally, I send out a reminder email on the Friday before the laughter club meets and there is a Facebook group which you can join, so as to stay in touch.

Cheerio for now and be kind to yourself.

Lots of Love and Laughter. Lynette Mitchell.

Phone: 0425 799 258
Email: lynette@laughterforliving.com.au

Do you go crazy or withdraw like a recluse? Then stop it!

July 19, 2024 by Lynette Mitchell

Hello Folks

Recently a new laughter club member joined, who had been wanting to try Laughter Yoga for a couple of years. She enjoyed it a lot and I bring this up as a small prod to encourage you to attend too. Have you also been feeling that you need to laugh more and are considering coming along? Then, why put it off? It is free, you have nothing to lose, except your inhibitions, along with any discomfort you may experience because of trying something unfamiliar.

I have been leading the Ferntree Gully Laughter Club for over nineteen years and in that time, many people have come along, tried it, felt it was not for them and not returned. Others have come for a period and left, whilst some have stayed and become a happy bunch of friendly people. Pick up the phone and call me if you like, I am always delighted to meet you and talk about the laughter club and the benefits of laughing.

Life’s Challenges and Stress

Life seems to be very challenging and challenges can be a ‘good thing’. Challenges can be beneficial for our whole body and get out of passivity. We need to be stretched and challenged; there is such a thing as positive stress. There are also other more subtle challenges we may face, due to unhealed bits within us. Do you get the feeling of that what I am alluding to? It will ring true for a lot of people reading this and alternatively, there will be a great percentage of individuals to whom, it means absolutely nothing. Which is perfectly alright, as we are all so different, a multitude of combinations in our physical body, health, genetics, culture, work, hobbies, interests and on it goes.

Triggers

This is one word which refers to us or others who overreact in an irrational way. It is not obvious because there is some deep unresolved issue which takes us back to a time or moment and unhealed, unresolved subconscious memories are triggered. There is no obvious reasons and we can feel within our rights to act in the way we do. Such stuff can cause us to fly off the handle, become over emotional or mentally crazy, acting like a small child, losing temper or sulking, withdrawing and going off to be by ourself, having the feeling of wanting to be or play all alone.

When unhealed bits surface, we can act and feel very immature, like the age we were when an incident happened, or a period in our young life that was very difficult. I feel a lot of us have had the experience of being misunderstood and simply wanting to express love and be showered with love, not understanding grown ups or other kids.

There is nothing wrong either with you or me and in some difficult times in our lives, we may seek and need help, a counsellor, health professional, or perhaps to join a particular group or even a church. This is quite normal. I recommend becoming aware enough to catch feelings where there is self judgment and negative self-talk. And then to find ways to work with it in order to heal and release what would otherwise remain unresolved and unhealed. Our lives will be richer for doing that.

Another possible scenario is to work through and heal unhealed traumas with the help of another person, learning to be kinder to ourself, even taking on the role of becoming our own inner coach. Or we can choose to withdraw, to be a recluse which can be beneficial. A healthy way of withdrawing is to have quiet introspective time with ourself when we ponder, meditate, journal, sit with nature, take time out or ways you may come up with that fit the bill.

Seek Professional Help or be Your Own Help Versus Becoming a Shopaholic

Some people feel drawn to seeking out and clearing the trauma in one’s past, when we feel to become consciously aware, present and grounded, being responsible for our life. We may become introspective and wish to seek out an expert in the form of professional help. Another option is to become withdrawn and reclusive in an unhealthy way, when we struggle to cope with our feelings which bring us to act like a crazy, unhinged, human being. Examples of going into a reclusive shell might be not answering the phone, or walking off or leaving without letting people know.

On the other hand, the higher vibrational positive recluse would be to express needing to have time out from others, so as to regroup within one’s self. It can be such a positive thing to do, to have some quiet time with yourself, perhaps in nature, in order to become centred within, attuning to our soul and higher spiritual self.

Quiet time entails not to go out on a shopping spree to help fill an empty gap, or settle ourselves so as to cope with our stress, mind and emotions. Take it from one who knows, having been a shopaholic for much of my life. Spending money is not the answer, it is a temporary fix. This is not an absolute judgment on shopping, it of course depends upon the motive and essential need.

So we have two things here, one being when we act out like a crazy, frantic person, without knowing what brought on such behaviour, which is destructive to ourselves, the environment and others. The other thing is to look for support whether it is external, or if we are lucky enough to be able to do this, find ways to regroup within ourself, back into feeling a balanced, centred, kind human being.

And might I suggest, what can be highly helpful in these times of mental and emotional stress, that you come and visit with us and others to share laughter yoga? It is an excellent de-stressor which can make a huge difference in your life, whether you only need to come for a little while, or ongoing. I firmly believe that when you face yourself when things do not seem right in your life, you will intuitively find a way to make the necessary shifts and changes. Things genuinely get drawn towards us and of course, do please be careful about what you wish for, because it may not be the best thing to occur after all.

I believe you can do it, live a meaningful life, with clarity and purpose, no matter what time it is in your life, or position that you are in. You can grow, evolve, becoming in touch with your purpose, which may also change as well. It is never too late and never, ever, give up! You can choose joy no matter what is going on.

I wish you well and do reach out to me or another if you need support through a difficult time in your live. Remember to create some fun things to do in your life, perhaps something unexplored, or to give yourself more time for your passion. It could be simple things to spend longer in the garden, or with your favourite creative pursuits. Knitting and crocheting can be steady and healing for some, regular walks, the list is unlimited. Volunteering is also a fabulous opportunity which people love to do. Feel into it, make a list, what will help you right here, right now? Be the change you wish to see in the world. There is still time. And remember, never, ever give up.

Shall I see you sometime in the near future? Check out the Laughter Club page HERE.

Lots of Love and Laughter.

Lynette Mitchell

Minimalising and Laughter Yoga 101 in 2023

October 6, 2023October 6, 2023 by Lynette Mitchell

Hello Everyone

I feel to touch on decluttering again and bring up minimalising, as they can be expressions of our personality, because our habits are ingrained in our daily lives. A high percentage of people hoard and buy stuff, or even live in a way where they are being busy being busy, because of low self esteem. It may well be unconscious too, as we can put on a bravado attitude, which covers it up with others and we can be led to believe our strong bravado, outgoing way is a ‘good’ thing, when in fact it covers up how we actually feel about ourselves. Ha. It is all very complex, isn’t it?

Attending a laughter club may help us to change for the better, as we let go of rigidity, which can improve the way we conceive of ourself in a natural and spontaneous way. My last blog on decluttering struck a cord in many people and there was positive feedback, as it really struck a cord, as we have in general, grown up in a material world, where we can look outside of ourselves, getting more and more away from nature and what matters the most.

Many of us are aware of the value of releasing the hold that material possessions have on us for various reasons. I am doing well with letting go of possessions and enjoying a life where I feel more expansive, especially when I manage to create more space in our home. It has a beneficial affect physically on my life. There is also an awareness to review what I do, as many things have become, or have always been, unconscious ones which can make me feel flat. What we need is to wake up each morning with unbounded enthusiasm and positive self-talk, which releases positive endorphins into our brain and the more we do that, the better we feel, which is part of maintaining good brain health.

If you listen to podcasts, Mel Robbins on Spotify interviews psychiatrist Dr Daniel Amen on 7th August, entitled ‘Optimize Your Brain: 3 Important Habits for Productivity….. (based on 2000,000 Brain Scans). I hadn’t heard about brain health before, have you? It was extremely interesting to listen to.

We saw Peter Walsh from his TV show Space Invaders last week, as he was the guest speaker for Ryman Healthcare. I loved his presentation on downsizing, finding Peter most entertaining, informative and engaging. Peter spoke of two main reasons we hold onto so much material stuff, one is often out of duty, sentimentality and the other one we keep looking for fulfilment, instead of looking within and filling ourselves up. Peter’s third series is on TV now and he had been working 16 hour days filming it in Sydney, was obviously tired. I am looking forward to watching his show again, it is one of my favourites. Peter spoke of how we reach a stage that our possessions own us, we are so tied down by them, that we can feel suffocated and not have time to do things in our life that we would much prefer to do.

Minimalisation

This, I feel is a softer feel to implement to the somewhat heady method decluttering. It is developing a sense of what is essential in our lives, which means we have more inspiration and energy to live a full and meaningful life. I found myself doing this and it is not rigid about getting rid of stuff, some advice is about experimentation of what we need and what would be better to release. Every possession has a drain on our energy and time. We can become lost in the humdrum of life when we keep on going the same way.

Books by Joshua Becker, a famous decluttering and minimalising genius from the U.S.A. have had a positive impact on me, in my journey of letting go of stuff that I have accumulated over 81 years. It is an ongoing journey for me. Joshua shares that everything we own takes up our energy. We have outlaid the money, things take time to look after, we need to create more open space, which gives us a feeling of being able to breathe, as we can feel so claustrophobic. Joshua has written several books, one being The More of Less. One of his famous quotes and portrays his philosophy is “The first step in crafting the life you want is to get rid of everything you don’t. Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it. Owning less is better than organizing more.” I feel to share a YouTube video for you to connect you with who Joshua is. Click here to see it.

Laughter Yoga

Laughter Yoga, is what we do at the laughter club, laughing and deep breathing. This helps us somehow to be more alert, conscious, aware, present and connected to life. It is such a great way to come together in a gentle, loving, kind, caring community. We have childlike, playful fun together as we move about, creating new brainwaves by singing, dancing and laughing, as we do in our version of improv theatre. It energies and instils light-heartedness in all of us. We do not tell jokes; rather we focus on spontaneity, being present in the moment which is just as well, as if we aren’t good joke tellers, it would be a very flat laughter session.

Laughter really is a fantastic exercise, where we laugh together followed by a cuppa afterwards, simply chat and share what we have been up to, everyday news and happenings in general.

Get in Touch?

Find out more on this website, which includes information on self-help classes, the laughter club and more. Feel free to connect with me if you need support or to find out more about laughter yoga. classes etcetera.

Cheerio for now and all of us at laughter club are looking forwarding to seeing you sometime!

Lots of Love and Laughter. Lynette Mitchell.

Minimising and Decluttering, Why and How Laughter Yoga Can Help You.

July 19, 2023July 19, 2023 by Lynette Mitchell

Decluttering has been part of many people’s intentions over recent years and, quite a mini revolution in many homes. It has been a prominent buzzword and a whole range of businesses have arisen to cater for de-clutterers who embark on their own unique personal journey of letting go of possessions.

Marie Condo wrote Spark Joy, which helped create this enormous clearing out of stuff movement. I love her book, reading it opened my eyes and started me on a long journey to reduce material possessions. These include various hobbies and collectables such as ornaments of horses and elephants. (I am keeping the swans for now). I have accumulated a lot over my 81 years. Many people have referred to me as a hoarder. Does that ring a bell with you too? We can all be hoarders of a variety of objects and not others. Our interests can change, yet we usually accumulate more things, rather than letting go of what has passed to make room for the new.

I prefer the term ‘collector,’ it is kinder, and I feel has a depth of understanding, of emotions or reasons why we like to keep things. There is nothing wrong with having anything, rather it is our motives about possessing, collecting, hoarding, hanging on to things that is paramount.

Spark Joy helped me to value, respect and treasure my possessions, to treat them with appreciation and look after them as well. For example, to thank the clothes as we fold it and put it away, not to squish it into cupboards. To treat our belongings with gratitude and respect. Marie says that things last longer when we do so and treat things as energy, even a low level of intelligence. That is an interesting concept, who knows? Perhaps there is a miniscule of intelligence in everything, as everything is energy resonating at different wavelengths. And think about this, our possessions need our attention and energy, otherwise their energy is weaker. You can even feel it.

Why do we have Clutter?

We become who and what we are in our upbringing and influenced by our parents or caregivers’ behaviour. Added to this has been the outer influences in our lives, radio, television, printed material, and innumerable other things. Now there is Spotify, YouTube, Facebook, Blogs, all sorts of modern age apps and the list grows exponentially.

All these modern conveniences impact on most of us as a general rule. There is less time, less sitting quietly in stillness, more of being busy being busy. Our minds and lives become cluttered as we tend to rush and try to fit more and more into our lives.

Low Self Worth and Wanting a Happy Fix

A major reason we hoard or collect things to excess that is most commonly spoken of is due to our lack of worthiness. Oftener than not, it is out of our radar of awareness, as we struggle to cope the best way we can, in varying amounts and situations. We may not be aware of having a lack of feeling worthy. Many of us have unconscious needs to be fulfilled, as we struggle with feelings of unworthiness. Buying or acquiring something makes us feel better for a short time. We feel a little happier for a moment or longer, as we try to fill ourselves up with things. Then look for the next fix, like a drug addict. Shopping can be an addiction in this day and age.

The temporary fix may be objects or activities, we develop a life and habit to be so busy so as not to feel negative things such as sadness, anxiety, depression or empty. It is a big and complicated subject. The theory and scientific evidence are that there may be some underlying cause which is making us want a full house. It could be an unresolved loss in our life, something so horrible that we have not been able to accept or get over it is occurring.

Isn’t it wonderful that there is greater awareness about all this now? There are many hoarders shows on TV and a favourite of mine is Space Invaders. Peter Walsh is the presenter, with a psychology background who confronts participants as he uncovers usually traumatic experiences, which led to the deeply seated unbalanced obsession of hanging on to stuff.

Decluttering sure is interesting and has led to me to delve into the subject of becoming a minimalist.

Minimalisation.

I love this one, as I am learning that to minimalise which is like a higher turn of a spiral, a more evolved, less mental way of looking at our possessions. It is feeling based, less thinking involved, it is gentler, with one being able to do it slowly, gently, learning and appreciating ourselves and life itself. We can embark on an interesting journey where we develop a graceful relationship with the universe and discover our needs are less than what we thought they were.

What we really and truly need in life is unique to us and ever changing, as we discover how free-er we become with less accumulated stuff around us. People wrongly may have the understanding that a Minimalist is a person who has hardly any possessions. That may be so, but those who think that is what it boils down to misunderstand.

They can be frugal with an empty looking house, storage areas, etc, but consider this, it is not about forcing change, instead it is learning to live with less over time, which ultimately unburdens us.

Essentially developing this way of living is having a growing appreciation of what life has to offer and to value it, unburdening ourselves of much that gobbles up our time and money.

We can then feel enthusiastic about our future, to find time to do what is important in our lives and develop greater appreciation of who we are and our direction.

How Decluttering and Minimalisation Links With Laughter Club and Laughing

Part of the benefits of laughing together are psychological and social. When we come together in group harmony as we do, we feel many beneficial things. A sense of belonging, being loved, accepted for who we are, without judgment. Over time our sense of humour hones itself in ways that we do not ourselves notice. Simply put, many wonderful things change in our lives which naturally induces greater self-appreciation, as well as compassion for ourselves and humanity. As our belonging grows, we feel sucked into place and hold hope in our hearts. The hope is unique for each individual person.

Gradually, people who come regularly somehow feel a greater hope and connection with mother nature, with spontaneity. Gathering afterwards for a social chat and cuppa helps as we have an opportunity to share with others who feel like family. I firmly believe and have observed people feeling better about themselves, simply by coming and being part of the group and what it offers.

that over time these improvements add to the way we view life and, in this way, we ever so gracefully, with courage and conviction, let go of stuff we have gathered around us to feel better or to cover up feelings of inadequacy.

A Golden Rule to Live By.

William Morris’s famous quote is “If you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” I have also heard and live by an additional item, ‘Is it necessary?.” Many necessary everyday items these days and neither useful nor beautiful, possessing them brings ease into our lives. Necessary examples could be having a roof over our head, a car to drive, a television set.

Get in Touch?

Lynette is available to talk with you about this or other blog subjects, if you feel to reach out to her sometime. Also, she runs self-help classes, if you want to find out about that, you certainly can.

Cheerio for now and all of us at laughter club are looking forwarding to seeing you sometime!

Lots of Love and Laughter,

Lynette Mitchell.

It is Never Too Late For New Things – You CAN Teach an Old Dog New Tricks!

June 29, 2023 by Lynette Mitchell

The Ferntree Gully Library regularly hosts Laughter Yoga for the Ferntree Gully Laughter Club. It believes in providing the community a taste of what activities, groups, interests are available for them to be part of.

One said that she had spontaneous light-hearted laughter afterwards, which continued for a couple of days and she planned to join us on a regular basis. And so she did, together with a friend, who participated and enjoyed it as well. As a result of this occurrence, two ladies have joined us as regular members/attendees, both as a result, also bringing a friend along.

Another new club member loved it, deciding at the end of the library session to join us and stop procrastinating. She has been aware of our existence for a very long time, perhaps not quite eighteen years since we first began, however for a very long time. She was not going to put it off any longer!

Following the laughter club session, she kindly shared her experience. “I thought that I would be self-conscious with new people and others walking past us in the park. But it was so much fun, everyone was great, and I was surprised how easy it was to join in wholeheartedly too.”

Her experience inspired me to do a blog about it never being too late to begin something new. “You can teach an old dog new tricks”.

Her turning up after so long, was a reminder I felt for all of us, that it is never too late to start something new. How often do we fall into a way of thinking that it is too late to start something else in our lives?

I do not concur with that! In fact, I totally disagree and feel we need to continue to get out of our comfort zones and extend ourselves, in a healthy, gently stretching way. Hubby John frequently shares that, “get out of your comfort zone”.

The same lady shared over a hot cuppa at the café following laughter club her feelings. Which are, similar to others to whom I have spoken, become more involved in life once again. Covid restrictions were psychologically damaging, and she makes it a priority to keep busy, joining social and interest groups, resolving to live life fully, with vim and vigour.

This ties in with Neuroplasticity, which I frequently touch on, that we need stimulation and new whatever’s, for our brain and general wellbeing.

Would you agree, to be active and that it is beneficial to learn something new? When we are doing our ‘old’ interests and hobbies, we may be unaware of ourselves becoming less engrossed. So often we have a ‘good’ habit and lo and behold, without realising it, what we are doing for fun, service, hobbies, physical activities etcetera, loses its sparkle. It might be time to stop and review what we spend our time and energy on.

There is the risk of becoming stale in our interests, even bored, when we do not stop to take stock to check and see how we are going. It may be time to bring in something new to switch things around somehow. I am not suggesting stopping something for the sake of it, rather to check in, review our life, our habits to consider what we are spending our time on, as usually with the rhythms of life it can be beneficial to swap something over, let it go to make space for new stuff.

I reckon that laughter club is pretty good for helping in this, because of the spontaneity involved with what we do. It helps us be in the moment and generally feels fresh every time we meet, even though it’s usually the same regular people, it feels fresh and energises us. There may be different people walking past, picnics happening, changing weather; it adds to the freshness and enhances our laughter creativity. We get ideas and run with it, adults playing, like back in the days when we were kids. Remember those times?

We would love to see you come too and give it a go. Don’t be shy. Would you agree with my views, to bring in something new? As time goes on, we can be influenced by the media, people’s opinions, what is expected of us and especially due to our age, interests, abilities and being either male or female. It can be a struggle to step out of the box of other people’s expectations and to take opportunities as they arise.

There are a multitude of health benefits from the simple matter of laughing more. A simple benefit is that it renews our ability to be light-hearted, to update our sense of humour and play. Adults frequently say they forget to laugh, becoming serious over time, weighed down by the worries of health, family and world affairs. Watching the news on television is something many people choose to stop doing, because it can be depressing, the ‘bad news’ so outweighs the news that is more positive.

Also we can take on and believe what we see on television, which may be influenced by things other than sharing truthful situations and events. How uplifting, how refreshing, it is to watch a hopeful news story, especially with a good outcome.

I trust that you are finding some fun and joy in life, as together we have all been through a very hard time for a few years and are emerging from it like a butterfly, with new growth. There are very likely new opportunities coming your way.

Does this inspire you to join us someday soon, or check in with consideration what you are up to? I sincerely hope so and invite your phone call if you feel to share a chat together before you first come.

Finally, a huge thank you to the Ferntree Gully Library for hosting laughter sessions, which gives people a taste of many things out there, beyond our awareness. If you are interested in attending the Rowville Library to join us for the next laughter session, it is at 11am on Saturday 12^th August. Book with them on 9800 6443 or to book online, log in with your library details.

Lynette and John lead the free Community Ferntree Gully Laughter Club on Sundays, at 11am on the 2^nd and 4^th Sunday of the month, behind the library. First timers, please contact Lynette in case there’s any alteration to that.

We also express our heartfelt gratitude to Janet Claringbold at the Studfield Wantirna Community News for including an article and Ferntree Gully Laughter Club information for over 8 years. Thank You!

Lots of Love and Laughter,
Lynette Mitchell.

Energy Field Clearing and Laughter Club Meetings

November 22, 2022November 22, 2022 by Lynette Mitchell

This blog shares how clearing your energy field ties in with the laughter we do together. At the end of laughter meetings and other public sessions, I lead a short harmonising energy meditation because it is something I personally practice and believe it to be most valuable. It is called ‘Basic Energetic Hygiene Resource’ and is an important part of my weekly personal growth/energetic hygiene classes. You can also engage in this regularly in your everyday life.

As it is an important topic, it felt timely to tell you about it, as you may be unfamiliar with the concept of energetic clearing and it may be of interest to you.

Here is its introduction, as displayed on the Laughter For Living website. “How would you expect to feel if you carried around years’ worth of accumulated debris and toxins? Probably pretty terrible. Without our being aware of it our auric field (which consists of the physical body, emotional body, mental body and spiritual body) collects and stores all kinds of things: mental debris, emotional residue, negative energy, pollutants, accumulations of old energy that has never been cleared, energy from others and stagnant energy etc. Just as we shower and bathe our physical bodies to keep them clean, so we need to do the same for our energetic bodies. It is essential that we regularly cleanse and clear our system.”

How Energy and Laughter Work Together

Everything is energy which is vibrating at different frequencies or speeds. Understanding this, can you think of anything that is not energy? Energy can be heavy, coarse, solid, slow moving and it may feel lighter, more refined, even ethereal. Examples are molecules moving in walls or wood, even concrete, at miniscule rates. Then there is faster energy vibrating within us, in nature, the animal kingdom and everything that exists here on planet earth.

Faster moving vibrations of energy can be termed positive and slower vibrations called negative energy. flat. We do our best at laughter club making a point to be upbeat, positive and cheerful. Individually we may begin feeling a little flat, which quickly goes once we start laughing.

Whatever we do when we gather to laugh together is carried out for the purpose of uplifting ourselves and each other, which we then take away with us when we leave that day. Laughter exercises the body, mind, emotions, and spirit, individually and collectively. Laughter is uplifting and raises your frequency vibration to be positive, somewhat similar to the energetic hygiene clearing that I conduct in class. Laughter potentially can be life-changing; as we change, naturally and spontaneously, we automatically assist others, which rolls out energetically around the world. Yes! Our influence is far reaching and does make a difference.

Are we Victims or Are we Responsible for our Energy?

No! We are not victims, although we often feel like everything is happening to us and in particular, growing up, learning about life, are possibly viewing life in that manner. The fact is that we are all responsible for our energy and what we set forth in motion. When we are aware of this, we can feel responsible for what we do, such as how we speak to others.

The Ferntree Gully Laughter Club member understand that we have to energetically and enthusiastically throw ourselves into the laughter exercises. We deliberately laugh and spend time together as adults, in playful, childlike fun. We allow ourselves to be involved in child-like fun, to act silly, sing songs, breathe deeply, clap and laugh. By throwing ourselves into the activity, over time we naturally let go of inhibitions, raise our energy, feel uplifted, joyful and ready to go forth into the world again with hope and positivity.

Also to be aware of, our energy becomes lighter and we release and let go of ‘stuff’ that is dragging us down. This partly clears our energy fields, although in a different manner to when using the Basic Energetic Hygiene Resource. I trust you can see the value in both activities, i.e. laughter yoga and the energetic hygiene resource.

If you want to learn more about this free Basic Energetic Hygiene resource, contact me and if you mention this blog, you are entitled to book a complementary class or one-off session.

Please take advantage of the opportunity to arrange for a chat if you feel to, with any questions that you might have regarding either the laughter club or energetic hygiene classes I run, online and in person.

New people are ALWAYS WELCOME! It does not matter what age or anything else that you can imagine.

Lots of Love and Laughter, Lynette Mitchell.

Laughter Yoga 101 – in Other Words, Basic Info.

June 2, 2022May 31, 2022 by Lynette Mitchell

Laughter clubs run on the premise that we laugh together for fun and fitness. There are many things we can do for fun and fitness, but none as simple as choosing to laugh and consciously do deep breathing exercises. You do not need any props, just a willingness to make it regular and do it. It is easier to laugh together in a group, that’s why laughing clubs have taken off all around the world.

Deep breathing has many benefits, some are to oxygenate and circulate our blood around our bodies. It also increases our lung capacity, strengthening the muscles around our lungs. We become more aware of how we breathe too and it encourages deep, diaphragmatic breathing, instead of the shallow upper lungs, which becomes automatic to breathe shallowly when we feel stressed or uptight.

Deep belly laughing gives us an aerobic workout, even more than exercising on a rowing machine, which you may find quite surprising? Then we have little, quiet, gentle breathing, which reminds us to calm down, be quiet, still. How beneficial to receive such a reminder?

Following are just a few of these, to give you a feeling of what we do at laughter club. Go to the Ferntree Gully Laughter Page click here.

Exercises:

Deep breathing – breathe deeply through the nose and out the mouth. We frequently do three big breaths and on the third out breath, we laugh loudly and at times, giggle it out.

Slow breath in short bursts – breathe in with short sniffing breaths, which is a type of basic yogic breath, following by a long slow exhalation through the mouth.

Chanting – between the exercises we shout ‘ho ho, ha ha ha’ three times and as well at times throw our arms up in the air and say ‘Very good, very good, yay’ twice.

Singing for health

I often mention we sing a lot, because it helps with establishing brain neurons, known as Neuroplasticity. The songs are often nursery rhymes or very well-known songs – you can do this yourself in the shower! Occasionally we use the song words, however generally we sing the tune with ha ha words, or humming, even he he he, because we mix them up. You can sing the words to remember the tune and switch into non-verbal, because it fires up the right side of the brain, also called the creative side of your brain.

Laughter exercises

We do the laughter exercises as in improvisation theatre, which helps extraordinarily, laughter attendees to tap into their own ingenuity, to be and feel inspirational and you are never the same again!!! Laughter is often referred to as ‘faking it till you make it,’ because you may find it difficult at first, which is rather to be expected than to the contrary. Because the body cannot differentiate between genuine and fake laughter, it relaxes and gets involved, providing the many and varied health benefits of spontaneous laughter.

Examples of laughter exercises

There are traditional, almost old as time, ones that we regularly do, such as

– Greeting – High fives, Namaste with hands in prayer position, shaking hands, other international ones too.

– Unbuttoning Cardigan – say ha, ha, ha, as one undoes each button and with the final button, a big laugh.

– Lion – good for the thyroid gland also – make like a mane with your hands by your ears, poke your tongue out, growl and laugh, clawing your hands around.

– Cup of tea – we jiggle it to ho, ho, ha ha ha, then throw the tea bag over our shoulder, put out our pinkie finger and act superior, pretending to be Mrs Bouquet, or have a Twining’s, or at the Windsor Hotel for high tea.

– Kookaburra – make Kookaburra sounds.

Basically, laughter exercises are both regular ones and with a lot of spontaneity throughout the session as well. When we do a Zoom one, various people from other countries bring the flavour of their country and share their favourite laugh.

Cheerio and do your best to be kind and gentle with yourself, have fun, at the same time exercising a good balance of hope and discipline. Bye for now, until next time, laughter blessings.

Feel free to contact us for a chat as we are friendly and love meeting people, as we are all in this together, this business of living a life. Thank you for your interest in reading this, did you learn something of interest today?

We would love to see you sometime, either when we meet in the park or on Zoom. We meet outdoors at 11am on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Sunday and on Zoom the 1st Sunday. You may also join the Meetup group, click the button below.

Lots of Love and Laughter, Lynette Mitchell. xo

Nuroplasticity and Laughter Yoga

July 27, 2024December 16, 2021 by Lynette Mitchell

Laughter Yoga and Our Brain

Laughter Yoga is the name we use when we combine laughter and deep breathing. People trained in laughter yoga consciously practice the art of using laughter yoga to benefit the whole body, whilst understanding laughter helps in creating brain cells (Neuroplasticity).

Our Intelligent Body

Human bodies have amazing abilities to adapt and heal themselves and overall, we are largely ignorant of possibilities that may be achieved. Unaware, not on our radar, ignorant until someone inspires us about what is possible. We express ourselves through our conditioning, our experiences. Much is tied in with our deeply held beliefs, coupled with motives – we may need a strong reason to get out of our own way and go for our goals and ambitions.

Covid grossly lessened our much-needed brain and general sensory stimulation. It brought frustration on many levels, the most post powerful, obvious being the inability to see and be with our family and go out to work. It has reaped havoc in our lives, as well, it brought new situations and chances to be and do differently. It brought new, higher evolved opportunities to experience and embrace. I feel there is a gift in every circumstance and situation waiting for us to embrace it.

Your Plastic Brain

Have you heard the notion that you can change your brain? Scientists have proven that your brain is influenced, restructured and shaped by what you do every day, which is referred to as neural plasticity, or neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity can be defined as the ability of the nervous system to change its activity, by reorganising its structure, functions, or connections. New neuron pathways may be produced when required. We can consciously engage in activities which stimulate our brain, such are jigsaw puzzles, learning a new skill, iPad/tablet games, memory games. A different part of the brain can become active to compensate for an injury or inability to function at primal level.

Laughter, singing, dancing, are major contributors to creating new brain neurons, ‘Neuroplasticity’, is only one of many benefits attributed to regular laughing. Thai Nguyen, a write from Brisbane has written an article about it and he has made a list of 10 things, which are beneficial for our wellbeing when we are aware to stimulate our brain: Fasting, travel, mnemonic devices for memory training, learning an instrument, doing non-dominant hand exercises, reading fiction, expand vocabulary, artwork, dancing and sleep.

Positive thinkers change their brain function by focusing on gratitude, meditation, kindness to self, self-awareness, releasing negative thoughts and more. We can weaken old habits and create new habits, which help enforce them into our lives. I find that awesome. Once upon a time, scientists thought that brains stopped developing when people reached adulthood. How inspiring. Think about it. We have the power within us to change our lives positively and answers will unfold to us if we are open to the change. ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ – so untrue!

Laughter Club Helps Create New Brain Neurons

Members of the laughter club feel invigorated, joyful, fulfilled and with more sense of purpose when they come together. We include a lot of singing, some dancing and laughing, which stimulates the brain, as well as receiving other physical, mental, emotional and spiritual benefits. There is an abundance of stimulation with our imaginations, as we role play the various laughs = grown up playful fun. It is great!!!

And now there is a new rage that Lynette brings to her professional laughter yoga sessions, which is Bollywood Laughter Dancing! You can even find it online and be able to do it yourself at home. What a great combination, for people who love to sing, dance and laugh. People find it a very light-hearted practice to do.

Laughter Club Back in Person and on Zoom

We will meet again in person on the 9^th January. Zoom laughter clubs are available worldwide and easy to track down. The laughter family has expanded to be truly worldwide and is a superb community to belong to. We all resonate and have a sense of belonging with each other. Contact Lynette if you wish to join the Ferntree Gully Laughter Club Facebook group.

Trusting that you are doing as well as possible as things are opening up as we will shortly head into a wonderful new year, filled with unknown possibilities and experiences.

Wishing you the very best Christmas wishes and a safe December, followed by a prosperous 2022. I like that, lots of 2’s. Cheerio for now. Until next time, love and laughter blessings.

The Ferntree Gully Laughter club meet behind the library at 11am on the 2^nd and 4^th Sunday of each month. If you wish to come along, please let me know, on the off chance of a time change or necessary cancellation. You may also like to join the reminder email list that is sent out the Friday before we next meet.

Phone: 0425 799 258 or you may like to Email: lynette@laughterforliving.com.au

Photo credit: Photo by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash

Humour Helps Laughers Outlook on Life

September 16, 2021 by Lynette Mitchell

Ferntree Gully Laughter Club 19 September

Having a sense of humour is widely spoken of as being an important element to hold in one’s outlook on life, especially since Covid has entered our lives. How we live our life is dependant on our viewpoint which has developed as we are naturally conditioned by our environment. We become conditioned as small children, watching, learning, listening, expressing and experimenting with what works in our attempts to get along and receive love. in particular from our parents.

Oddly enough, as adults we may not lose this unconscious habit of seeking love and approval. We may look for it outside of ourselves and it may is related to our sense of who we are, whether we feel we belong and are a worthwhile person. Laughter is similar, part of our growing up and conditioning, which is also cultural and consequent to our background and you can understand then why everyone’s sense of humour is unique.

There are many reasons why we laugh, which are mostly unconscious as a release, to alter our mood. We can laugh because we are happy, sad, in pain, feeling uncomfortable, in fact for innumerable reasons. Laughter needs cultivation, as does any good habit. Children laugh freely and as we grow up, we tend to close up as a general rule, become self conscious and limit the amount of laughter in our daily lives.

An Indian physician, Dr Madan Kataria started the free community laughter club movement 26 years ago and now there are thousands worldwide. Lynette became involved 17 years ago when she started the Boronia Laughter Club which transitioned into the Ferntree Gully Laughter Club. The experience of running one has given her first-hand experience of the transformation in members’ lives.

We laugh together for the health benefits and initially for newcomers, they begin with ‘fake it till you make it’, because the body cannot differentiate between real and pretend laughter. How it is done is like improv theatre, pretending to laugh in different scenarios. This makes it easy to laugh without jokes or props and very quickly, the laughter is spontaneous, automatic and genuine.

Laughter sends positive messages to our body, releasing endorphins, resulting in us feeling uplifted, lighter, joyous and energised. There are enormous benefits from what we do, which is basically adults engaging in playful, childlike fun activities. Remember too, a laughter yoga session includes deep breathing, which helps to oxygenate the blood and is very cleansing for the body. Deep breathing is calming, lowering stress levels within us as well.

Attending a laughter session creates an opportunity to come out of your comfort zone. Laughter is an aerobic exercise and there are innumerable health benefits, physically, emotionally, mentally, socially and spiritually. Laughing for one’s health has become widely researched and it is now understood that it benefits all who do it. It does not discriminate and is an inclusive activity or pastime.

Laughter Yoga, as it is known, nowadays is incorporated as a wellness activity in business and other organisations. How wonderful indeed. Perhaps you will experience it in this way or by attending a laughter club. Either way, it is recommended attending a few times for you to discover how it helps you. Otherwise, you will never truly know how incorporating more laughter into your daily life will assist you. Lynette suggests making laughter a daily habit.

The Ferntree Gully Laughter Club meets every Sunday during lockdown at 11am on Zoom. Please message or email Lynette if you wish to become involved. Message Lynette on 0425 799 258 or email: lynette@laughterforliving.com.au.

Click button below to go to the laughter club website page.

Cheerio for now. Until next time, love and laughter blessings. I look forward to hearing how you go with these ponderings.

Lots of Love and Laughter, Lynette Mitchell.

Can I Incorporate Laughter and Affirmations to be More Mindful?

May 31, 2021March 15, 2021 by Lynette Mitchell

The good news is that we can reprogram ourselves with more positivity and presentness through combining the power of laughter and positive affirmations. Our mindfulness is enhanced when we combine these together and it can be done either alone or with others.

Think about what it is that you would like to affirm, to improve in your life. It may be a physical material thing, or more obtuse, such as a change in behaviour which raises your joy quotient. Give this suggestion a go, and let it be as simple, short and sweet as you like. I will share here some affirmation ideas with you.

Firstly, I suggest you check in to what your body is telling you and adjust it if needs be. If you are feeling flat and dejected, your body language will reflect this. Observe and maintain an upward, positive manner. You can practice and see how you feel when you do the laughter mindfulness exercise any old how and then see the difference it makes when you choose to be aware and bring all of you into the present time.

Begin by taking a positive stance or sitting position, placing your arms, hands, and feet in strategic positions. An example would be hands together in a prayer position, saying your chosen affirmation, for instance, ‘I am happy, I am healthy, I am abundant’ then laughing out loud.

You could stand tall, with arms outstretched above your head and repeat the affirmation. I like the idea of doing this with my fingers wide open, then closing them into fists, bringing my hands down onto my chest. Even add the word ‘yes’ said with vim and vigour. This option gives a more powerful feeling, that of drawing what you wish to affirm towards yourself, making it stronger. Even more powerful would be to repeat the affirmation three times and then add the words ‘Let the rain of blessings fall!’.

Do you already use affirmations? I have done so on a regular basis for many years and it’s recommended that you say affirmations daily, at about the same time, for a full lunar month, 28 days. They can be done more than that if you feel the need.

Here are some great affirmations for you to try out and no doubt, you can come up with some of your own, or favourite ones-

I am happy, I am healthy, I am abundant.
Laughter and fun come my way when I am being myself.
I create laughter and feelings of happiness and joy wherever I go.
I have lots of ideas, life inspires me.
I am in love with life.
I can do this. (Or if you do it in a group) I, You, We, Can Do this!

Laughter Affirmation Guidelines:

Long term, keep your mind consciously and unconsciously seeking laughter and positivity in your life. Repeat the affirmations three times and then say ‘Let the rain of blessings fall!’ You may imagine being enveloped in a loving, coloured mist. Most likely you will find that fun, being positive minded and laughter take place more effortlessly than before. Endeavour to do them daily for a month.

Your energy and mind will create it for you even when you are occupied with other thoughts and concerns. You are programming your subconscious mind with beneficial energy, to help you manifest and become who you would genuinely love to become. In other words, you are working with the Law of Attraction.

I look forward to hearing how you go with it.

Cheerio for now. Until next time, laughter blessings.

Lots of Love and Laughter, Lynette Mitchell.

Lynette & John Mitchell lead the free Community Ferntree Gully Laughter Club, in person 2^nd,4^th & 5^th Sundays, Zoom the others.

Phone: 0425 799 258 or John on 0425 798 115

Email: lynette@laughterforliving.com.au

5 Benefits of Laughter Yoga for Seniors

May 29, 2019 by Lynette Mitchell

It feels timely to focus on being a Senior and share below the five main benefits of Laughter Yoga for Seniors in our society, as outlined by Indian Physician Dr Madan Kataria. He was the Founder of the free community laughter club movement in 1985 and since then, research on laughter is having an increasing impact all around the world.

At our laughter clubs, the majority of people who come are women and in their senior years. We have a few gentlemen also, however coming along to laugh may be a little daunting for some people and especially to the men. Mind you we highly recommend ‘getting out of your comfort zone’.

May I also suggest you consider becoming involved as a volunteer, involved in a laughter club in Victoria? It is easy, a commitment well worthwhile and rewarding. From what I observe people who commit to regular laughter find, without realising it, their lives becoming transformed. Club members have shared how it helps them move on and be involved in life, one after being in a depression for some years and the other simply feeling rather flat and without purpose.

As I often share, it is wonderful for developing brain neurons (Neuroplasticity) as is singing and dancing. You can see people’s eyes light up and feel their energy become lighter, more fun filled, joyous, spontaneous, when in the process of a laughter session.

Obviously, it is best for it to be regular, for a facilitator to attend an aged care place or for people to come along to a laughter club regularly. Language is not a barrier either, or inability to speak, the language of laughter and love surpasses all. Hearts connect and we are very honoured to be able to share the laughter and upliftment with those willing to do it with us. We finish each session with a short meditation, some people haven’t even experienced that before and relish it. Sometimes we include some music for a short sing along and occasionally a few residents get up for a little dance movement. It is such a joy to see the change in their demeanour when they do so, a real joy.

Following then are the 5 main benefits of Laughter Yoga, as outlined in the professional training manual of Laughter Yoga International. They do not say all the physical, emotional, social benefits, rather concentrating on the general ones that are so easily recognisable for why seniors would benefit from more laughter in their life.

1. Adds More Laughter to Life: With advancing age we laugh less or stop laughing. We get out of the habit of laughing and often with dementia and Alzheimer’s that is more so the case. Laughter Yoga is a physically oriented technique, is an ideal exercise that provides many health benefits without using mental and cognitive abilities.

2. Promotes Physical Health: With the wear and tear of old age many seniors develop ailments like high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis etc. Laughter Yoga facilitates healing by strengthening the immune system, improves blood circulation and increases oxygen to the body’s cells. It is also a cardiovascular workout.

3. Improves Mental Health: Isolation, loneliness and depression are common among older adults as they lose loved ones and their health begins to decline. Mental health is improved by boosting neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin.

4. Building Social Bonds: Laughter Yoga helps bring people together and improve their social bonding. Retirees and able-bodied older adults who attend our laughter clubs develop friendships and rapport. This helps them to move on, be resilient and decrease loneliness at the same time increasing their quality of life.

5. Longevity: Laughter Yoga helps us when we feel we have lost our way giving us greater reason and purpose to continue living a full and rewarding life. It is a simple and easy routine, which is practiced by people all throughout the world in their 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. As the population is increasingly older every day, Laughter Yoga is a tool for transformational aging and increased longevity.

From my personal experience Laughter Yoga does all of the above and gives me a lift in my life and relationships. Life becomes more fun filled and you can also be a part of that. It is free and we love to laugh together. You are not committed to attend every time, only as much as you can fit in with your (probably) very busy life!

Thank you for your interest in reading about this very important topic. I hope to see you soon on either a Saturday or Sunday.

Cheers, Lynette.

Acknowledgement Dr Kataria, Founder of Laughter Yoga International