The healing feeling of laughing

Heal the spirit, heal the mind, and you heal the body! To help accomplish this for about 500 cancer and leukemia patients gathered at the Philippine Heart Center by Novartis Healthcare Philippines for its 7th Glivec International Patient Assistance Program, I immediately accepted Lona Gonzales’ invitation to conduct a Laughter Yoga session for them.   Having missed the opportunity to do this last year, I vowed not to let it pass this time. And the more participants, the better and merrier, as more are helped to be healthier, happier, and enjoy life better.

The desire to do Laughter Yoga for our sick kababayans, especially those who are undergoing chemotherapy, was inspired by positive feedback from cancer survivors, who claimed that chemotherapy pains vanished during and after Laughter Yoga sessions. There is that magical, healing feeling when we are in the company of happy, laughing people.

The participants, who did not a look and act sick at all, energetically and happily participated. Before the session started, they already were laughing as they watched video clips of past Laughter Yoga sessions. Laughter Yoga exercises the lungs, and helps flush out the stale, toxic air trapped inside our bodies, helping promote a healthier, happier way of life.

Here are comments and reactions straight from the mouths of participants:

• Lyn Tonsay, leukemia patient, 36 years old: I enjoyed it so much. The truth was that I was feeling sleepy as lecturers talked about medicines we were taking, so I stepped out. I got curious when the participants stood up, and chairs were put at the back, so I went back to the front. After the session, I felt so relaxed, so good, alive, and energized. During the healing mantra saying, “I forget, I forgive,” Elvie advised us to think of persons who hurt or offended us, so I thought of my husband, with whom I quarreled, and forgave him. I will teach him what I learned from Laughter Yoga. I hope there would be more Laughter Yoga sessions like this.

• Edgardo Mosende, acute colon cancer patient: Honestly, I was only curious to find what Laughter Yoga was all about. My impression was we would just laugh because of the word “laughter” and remain standing, as chairs were taken away. To my great surprise, the effect on me was so good, it made me happy. For the first time, I perspired profusely and felt all the pores on my skin open up to get those toxins outs. I realized Laughter Yoga is a very good exercise for the body. It did happy wonders to me, it’s beautiful! 

• Luz Sarmiento from Mariveles, Bataan: Diagnosed with leukemia and cancer, I have not laughed that much and that long in many years. The Laughter Yoga session, and the many inspiring, healthful trivia made me happy, relieved, and hopeful with my sickness.

• Henry Balbin, a patient coordinator from La Union: Very impressive. It will really, really help us, especially the patients. Laughter Yoga made me felt lighter and better, and released all the toxins from my body. It was really, really great!

• Sherly Miclat, leukemia patient, 55: It was very good, so beautiful. It made me feel real good. The yoga clapping and laughter energized me. 

• Juliet Monda, leukemia patient: “Very happy! My problems disappeared. Before the session, I felt weak, but now, I am feeling stronger and light. Ms. Estavillo’s outlook in life was so positive, it rubbed off on us. I wish for more Laughter Yoga teachers like her.

Let’s laugh to a healthier, happier us! For more info, visit www.laughteryogaphils.comp and watch www.youtube.com.

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E-mail author at mega_abundant_lv@yahoo.com.