Laughter yoga - after the storm
MANILA, Philippines - The Banaba Elementary School in San Mateo, Rizal is struggling to recover from the ravages wrought by horrific typhoon Ondoy that drastically changed the school’s landscape, which used to have a “university-atmosphere,” as described by its principal, Federico Fortunato. Located right beside the Nangka River, which rose to unprecedented levels during the height of the typhoon, its two school buildings and stage area were inundated and covered with thick mud that rendered them completely wasted and useless.
Taking notice of the school’s need for toilets, Laughter Yoga sponsored construction of five toilets. On the turnover date of the toilets last November, and after having seen the extent of devastation typhoon Ondoy did to their school, we invited the principal, teachers and everyone involved in the school, along with the parents of the school children for a Laughter Yoga session — to shore up their spirits and keep their hopes alive. Despair sets in when hope is gone! As the only space available for the LYoga session was a classroom, some parents were not accommodated and had to make do watching from the windows and by the door.
At the start of the session, as was always my experience, the teachers and parents wondered what Laughter Yoga was all about — having heard LYoga for the first time in their lives. During the LYoga session, I admonished the principal and teachers to learn and absorb as much as they can, the techniques, steps and kinds of laughter we will do so they can pass them on to their pupils, who were not around at that time. Same advice was given to parents and mothers, some of whom came with their small children, others even holding babies in their arms. Inspired by such presence and moved by deep desire to help them cope, as they think, their world has turned upside down, I did my best to share and impart to them the FASTEST, SAFEST, and most of all, FREE — STRESS-RELIEVING ways of Laughter Yoga. Equipped with the best stress-buster there is, will surely help them in their daily struggle to rise from their hope-will-never-happen-again-painful experiences. I encouraged them to constantly practice what they learned with their families, relatives and friends, as often as the need to de-stress arises. The unique added advantage of LYoga is that it can be done anywhere, anytime, under any and all life situations. To reap the full benefits of LYoga, it must be done daily... until it becomes a habit, a second nature. Just like any activity that needs constant practice like basketball, swimming, golf or aerobics, laughter must be done regularly until it comes easily and handily. Laughter Yoga can make one positive, brim with hope, experience sense of joy and find life’s challenging-and-difficult situations... lighter and brighter!
To help them ward off diseases and sickness as much as possible, I cited Dr. Otto Warburg, a Nobel Prize winner twice in the field of Medicine. It was to Dr. Warburg’s credit that the connection between oxygenation and the cells in the major organs of our bodies came to fore. He also explained how and why people get sick due to stress. Also mentioned was the classic case of Norman Cousins, a respected New York editor, who was diagnosed with a fatal, incurable spinal disease. When all medications failed, he checked out of the hospital and holed himself in his house and laughed his heart out — all day long. A month later, he went back to the hospital for a check-up, and amazed the doctors with almost-could-not-believe-it attitude. He was not healed, traces of his dreaded disease was nowhere to be found! When asked, he revealed the secret of his complete recovery — laughter! Later, he wrote a book about his illness and recovery titled Anatomy of an Illness.
In some parts of India, LYoga has been introduced early on to school children as part of their daily school activities, particularly in morning ceremonies. Laughter Yoga International reports that in school where LYoga was integrated in their daily routine, school children’s behavior turned vibrant, become more alert and mentally brighter. Some school principals even reported zero absenteeism, as children were eager to attend classes! Personally, I surmised LYoga is the secret why Indians of today are more intelligent, brighter and outgoing. Spreading LYoga in our schools will be a real good move for a better educational environment. As Fortunato exclaimed after the LYoga session, “Laughter Yoga is very, very nice. Very good for our health, and will help improve our life habits.”
We earnestly look forward to that time when LYoga can be integrated in our school children’s morning activities, to motivate and energize them mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Towards this goal, the help of volunteer teachers and students is warmly solicited and wholeheartedly welcome, in coordination with public and private school administration.
Laughter enriches one’s life. It calms the mind, body and spirits as it releases endorphins — the feel-good hormones in our body. Let’s laugh! Ho, ho, ha, ha, ha!
(Please log on to www.laughteryogaphils.com or www.youtube.com/watch?v=guvnNwCkhcs)
