A hearty dose of laughter at the Philippine Heart Center

Laughter is like mental floss which clears the cobwebs of your mind.” In this modern high-tech world, as more inventions come up, more stress and tension are added to our everyday lives. The proliferation of wellness centers, spas, and gyms as well as yoga, taichi, and other activities designed to help de-stress people are testimonies to the challenging world we live in.

The employees of the Philippine Heart Center (PHC), in their intense desire to de-stress and relax, to be calm and happy amid the demands of their work topped by the ever-increasing responsibilities to their respective families, requested for a repeat performance of the Laughter Yoga session. Having heard about the astounding success of the Laughter Yoga session for the cancer and leukemia patients last March, PHC employees and Laughter Yoga enthusiasts clamored to experience the one-of-a-kind truly de-stressing Laughter Yoga. 

Last July 26, more than 100 attended the Laughter Yoga session at the Philippine Heart Center. What used to be just an hour-long session extended to almost two hours as we all super enjoyed it. The almost nonstop laughing and yogic breathing and stretching exercises were interspersed with healthy trivia culled from researches and studies by the International Laughter Yoga that was founded and headed by Dr. Madan Kataria.

Let the participants tell it themselves:

• Lorenza Paculdo of Cubao: “I enjoyed the session, I feel young and happy…”

• Irene Magbanua of BF Homes Quezon City: “It is positive and very relaxing. It’s nice to share with others because it’s not boring. The Laughter Yoga master was great. We hope that we can join again. This experience of happy moments is great. We are strong and active again.” (Comment: I am not the master, Dr. Madan Kataria is. I am a teacher, who brought Laughter Yoga to our country in 2007.)

• Dolly Palisada of St. Paul College: “It’s really de-stressing and relaxing ... if possible, can we invite Ms. Estavillo to our school at Saint Paul? Because we think it’s good for our faculty and students.” 

• Beng Sy of Dale Star Enterprises: “It is really quite an experience joining the Laughter Yoga. I’ve learned so much, ha ha ha!”

• Cristina De Guzman of Philippine Heart Center: “I felt refreshed. Laughter Yoga is very fun and relaxing. I would love to share it with my friends because I think it is healthy and I’m sure that they will enjoy it.”

Laughter Yoga helps rid our minds of cobwebs and reduce mental stress. The way we breathe affects our state of mind. When we are under stress, our breathing pattern is altered dramatically. And when we hold our breath, carbon dioxide accumulates in our blood system.

Laughter Yoga is an excellent cardiac workout that can trigger a breathing pattern that provides amazing respiratory benefits.

Even under stressful situations, mental stress can be avoided if we learn to breathe from the diaphragm. As we inhale, the diaphragm contracts and pulls down to make space for lung expansion. During exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes and pushes the lungs to facilitate exhalation. In Laughter Yoga, we learn to move the diaphragm and shift breathing awareness from the chest to deep abdominal breathing.

Hahaha-happy news: Laughter Yoga master Dr. Madan Kataria is coming over. For those interested to teach Laughter Yoga to our kababayans in all parts of our country, under the auspices of  the first and the original Laughter Yoga in our country. Dr. Kataria will be in Manila on Nov. 18 and conduct Laughter Yoga teacher training seminar on Nov. 21-22.   For more information, visit www.laughteryogaphils.com.  

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E-mail author at mega_abundant_lv@yahoo.com.