Stay well. Be well.” So goes the theme of Wellness 101 of the Lopez Group of Companies. Having read my past articles on Laughter Yoga, and intrigued by the numerous consistent positive experiences and comments from those who have attended Laughter Yoga sessions, Russell Solitario contacted us for a Laughter Yoga session for their executives. Edsel Sanchez of Lopez, Inc. comments, “Laughter Yoga can be exhausting, but a great relief from stress. It releases feelings of heaviness and helps acquire positive energy.”
The two-day wellness seminar for executives from EDC, ABS-CBN, FPH, SkyCable, First Phil. Industrial Park, INAEC Aviation, First Gas, ELC was held at the Lopez Training Center atop a mountain in Antipolo, Rizal, overlooking Marikina and nearby places.
In between the different kinds of laughter, we did yoga breathing and stretching exercises. I narrated the findings of a study that adults in this high-tech, super fast-paced world laughed at an average of five minutes a day compared to our great-grandparents, who averaged about 30-40 minutes per day. Understandably, the modern gadgets, the super pressing demands and challenges of our highly- computerized era are taking their toll on our ability to laugh.
The study also shows that while children laugh 400 times daily, adults laugh only 15 times, or worse, not at all. We need to remind ourselves that “a day without laughter is a wasted day.” After motivating and cajoling the participants to drop their inhibitions and doing some warm-up exercises to loosen up, they began to laugh to their hearts’ delight. And were they thrilled and surprised to have laughed sooo much for no reason at all! So relaxing and so light is the feeling when we laugh heartily. .
Asked what the root cause of modern-day illnesses is, the participants guessed it right away STRESS! Intently, they listened when informed about how our bodies react when under stress. How breathing affects the flow of oxygen to the major organs of our bodies. Kapamilya Gretchen Birog aptly attested: “Laughter Yoga is an effective tool to de-stress. We were all happy doing the Lyoga exercises and recommend it to all.”
Laughter Yoga is the only way by which a person can laugh heartily even if there is nothing to laugh about, for 30 to 60 minutes. The executives were like children once again reliving those innocent-hassle-free-no-responsibilities-happy-bygone days of yesteryear marked with greater innocence and purity of heart. When life was simple, slow-and-moderately-paced. When we had time to savor and appreciate the simple things that give pristine joy.
When we recited the positive chants, along with the affirmation and healing mantras, I reminded them to do so wholeheartedly for if we are what we eat, what we think and say is what we become. They asked for a bonus how to de-stress their eyes. They laughed hard when I said the eyes are the first and last organ we use. Hearty, hilarious, magical, healing laughter filled the room from beginning to end! Truly, Laughter Yoga was at its best!
Below are some of the participants’ heartwarming and inspiring summation of the Laughter Yoga session they had:
• Alfred A. Go: We have many reasons to thank God. Likewise, many reasons to laugh about because we are blessed.
• Sam Hernando: The LYoga session was a new experience. Hearty laughter is very good.
• Hazel Velasco: Our speaker is one of the most positive speakers I have met. Ms. Elvie, thanks for sharing.
• Manuel S. Ogena: Very enriching session for the body and more for the soul.
• Pia Muriel Amores: The bonus eye treatment was sincerely appreciated. I will teach my two kids the yoga hands/fingers position.
• Clarito Sobrio: Laughter Yoga is a unique way of incorporating alternative medicine.
• Ellsworth R. Lucero: My stomach muscles firmed up after the session and I felt lighter.”
• Ronald L. Romero: A very energetic activity. Relaxing, with good and lasting memories.
• Danilo V. Cabantog: Very revitalizing Laughter Yoga session. I love it!
• Reyna, Briones: LYoga session made me feel relaxed and younger.”
• Cay Muñoa Marbella: Enjoyed it so much! I never thought I could laugh for no reason at all. Am glad I experienced it. Thank you!”
• Emil C. Argoncillo: Laughter Yoga is really stress- relieving, I will recommend it to corporate VIPs.
• Danny D. Guevara: Very heartwarming experience, enlightening session.
• Loren Alejandrino: Ms. Elvie never runs out of laughter!
• Sheena Cariso: Effective way to cope with stress.
• Joanne Ponce: Relaxing. We enjoyed laughing!
• Russel Alleta F. Solitario: Effective stress buster!
• Cito Gosito: Enriching, relaxing, and wonderful!
Laughter Yoga sessions are scheduled as follows: July 1, Asian Development Bank; July 10, St. Luke’s Hospital; July 22, DOJ, Parole and Probation Adm.
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Visit www.laughteryogaphils.com; e-mail mega_abundant_lv@yahoo.com.