Roaring laughter with Rotarians
Teach the wisdom of laughter and joy, happiness healing and emotional expression, and the same wisdom goes back to you. More than that, a stirring sense of fulfillment beyond your realm of imagination will envelope you.”
Rotary Club of Makati, Paseo de Roxas president Marivic Del Pilar e-mailed and requested me to be their club’s guest speaker to talk about Laughter Yoga. As we were talking on the phone, I burst into a loud, looong laughter, which Marivic said was so contagious she insisted I come — as her club mates would be so delighted to have me around. In the course of our conversation, she asked how I am related to Atty. Karlo Marco. Aha! When told her that he is my son, her persuasive pitch went up several notches. Having known they were classmates and good friends at Ateneo, how could I refuse?
When I arrived at the SGV building, where their club regular meeting is held, she gleefully whispered to me that surprisingly there was a major, major attendance that particular evening. Wow, the conference room was full! Some Rotarians from far-away Tarlac came to excitedly find out, hear, and experience Laughter Yoga. Ho, ho, ha, ha, ha!
Laughter is not only contagious and infectious — it is a perfect come-on for people! The need to de-stress and relax our bodies, to calm our minds and spirits must really be that great! For adults, the barriers or roadblocks put in place by ourselves, family, and tradition inhibit us to fully and freely express ourselves. We, therefore, must break and remove those layers of self- (and outside) imposed inhibition and programming to truly enjoy laughter. The unrestrained laughter that expresses one’s emotion to the fullest comes from the heart!
To help fully develop a person’s inhibited ability to laugh can be likened to a “drain blocked with rocks and rubble” that must first be cleared. Only after the rubble of inhibition and shyness is taken out can free and full laughter flow so naturally and happily. And Laughter Yoga does wonders in facilitating this clearing process to allow full expression of joy and happiness … through laughter. As Marivic comments, “After hearing Ms. Elvie’s talk, I felt lighter and happier about life …”
From Ms. Donna: “It has been a long time since I laughed that hard.”
I narrated that when I was still with Rotary Club of Makati, JP Rizal chapter, we went to Bangkok to attend a Rotary regional conference. While on board the plane, I glanced at the movie being shown. It interested me and made me smile at first. Later, I giggled. Then, I laughed sheepishly, shyly. When I could not suppress my emotion any longer, I let out a loud, continuous laughter. Then the roaring laughter spread and touched the funny bones of practically all the passengers. Everyone was laughing. Lita Wells, a fellow Rotarian, then asked what I was laughing at, and I overheard someone reply, “What else but the comedy movie?” Lita retorted, “But look, she does not even have any earphones at all!”
At that time, I didn’t know about Laughter Yoga yet, and looking back, I looked at that incident as another sign, as various signs kept surfacing sparklingly of that God-given gift — the ability to laugh infectiously and contagiously at will that I now share. Laughter has its scientifically proven magical and healing effect!”
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Laughter Yoga sessions are scheduled as follows: Thursday, October 7, Makati Medical Center; October 14, Philippine Coast Guard. For details and info about Laughter Yoga, log on to www.laughteryogaphils.com.
I invite everyone to the Certified Laughter Yoga Leader Training by the master of International Laughter Yoga Clubs, Dr. Madan Kataria, on Nov. 20-21 in Tagaytay City. Share this life-changing experience with our kababayans. Spread joy and positivism — if we all think, act, and talk positively about ourselves and our beloved country, we can attain peace and prosperity. To enroll, e-mail laughteryogaclub.phils@gmail.com.
