Hahahappy reunion with ADB friends

If music is the language of the soul, then  laughter is the language not of the soul  but the whole body as well.  Laughter energizes, and has a magical healing effect, not only on the person laughing, but also on the people around that person.  To quote Dr. Madan Kataria: “When you laugh, you change, and the world around you changes.”

After resigning from ADB many moons ago, I got very busy with my twin advocacies:  conducting  Laughter Yoga, and water and sanitation project for my adopted public school every year, on top of my bread and butter, which is real estate business.  Thus, I was unable to attend the many annual reunions with my ADB friends and colleagues for the much-awaited-unforgettable ADB annual meetings, our only bridge to get invited to formal  dinners hosted by the president and  finance minister of the host country, and by the ADB president.  The added come-ons are the must-see tourist spots that each country proudly boasts, exclusively arranged for the delegates. I was very fortunate to have experienced such a memorable and enjoyable hospitality in Istanbul, Kyoto, Bali, and Madrid, and  rekindled friendships with colleagues coming from all parts of the world, from across the oceans — once again.

Having read, heard and seen my LYoga sessions, Carmen Bontia invited me to BF Parañaque to experience the fastest, easiest, best stress-buster ever there is —  Laughter Yoga, for  friends and colleagues  living in the area.  As friends  are one  of  life’s  greatest treasures, I right away accepted the invitation.  Also, Dr. Kataria, during our Osaka LYoga seminar, kept telling us to give some time for the young “once” — as most of them lead lonely lives, living separately from their families. With much time on their hands, I was hoping  some of them would get interested to be certified as LYoga teachers and leaders so they can  conduct LYoga sessions to help  spread LYoga in all parts of our country.  Another reason is that my cardiologist, Dr. Bingloy Diaz of Makati Medical Center, told me I would live beyond 100 because my heart is equivalent to that of a 25-year- old.  Initially, I was elated, but when it sank in, I  said, “I don’t like to live that long. You and my friends may be gone by then.”  I want to be around only for as long as I enjoy life.”

I started the LYoga session with two exercises aimed at breaking the barriers of shyness and inhibition, as many people think laughing for no reason at all is something shameful.  But that is LYoga — to laugh for no reason at all! Hahaha!  As explained, if we  look and wait for reasons to laugh about, we may not laugh at all anymore — what with all the busyness and noise around us, the never-ceasing gadgets that distract us, the deadlines to meet.  We have been taking life so seriously. Now, it is time to take laughter seriously.  The distinct advantage of LYoga:   It can be done alone, with a small and big group anytime, anywhere, in all life situations.  After explaining the energizing effects of warm-up exercises and doing the LY exercises,  the  participants’ amazement  continued  to  rise   as   they  recited  the  benefits,  positive  chants,  affirmation, and prayer of LYoga — not having a hint that it is an all-encompassing experience  touching on our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual     attributes! Yes, Laughter Yoga is a life-changing experience!
My friend Carmen must have been so fascinated by her LYoga experience that she went to the United States and attended the LYoga seminar conducted by Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of International Laughter Yoga Movement to become a certified Laughter Yoga teacher. She emailed us that “she is reinventing her life after attending Dr. Kataria’s seminar to be like him, and Elvie.”   The participants’  thoughts and feelings:

• Gamaliel de Armas: The BEST! Elvie is a big blessing to us and our fellow Filipinos! May many more come to experience Laughter Yoga and its benefits.

• Ludy Santillan: Very happy and relaxing.

• Nanette Chua: Very enlightening, relaxing, and inspirational!

• May Anne E. Velhagen: Very interesting! My first time to experience this activity, very informative and happy.

• Ma. Reynalda Labindalawa: It was indeed a healthy and enjoyable session. We must recommend and tell others to attend LYoga session.

• Lou de Belen: Excellent! I learned so many things. We can be healthy without spending much.  Everything is natural, back to nature.

• Liza Vitangcol:  Now I know why laughter is the best medicine!

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For more info, e-mail me at mega_abundant_lv@yahoo.com. Visit  http://laughteryoga.ph.