Laughter Yoga, Gangnam-style

“We owe it to ourselves and to everyone around us to be happy and spread that joy around.”  â€” Anita Moorjani

Whenever  the  Pedya  Kamp  volunteers get together, they talk about Laughter Yoga,”  says  Dr. Art Libao, founder of Pedya Kamp, an organization of  volunteers, mainly students, which specializes in taking care of special and disabled children.   

Every year, Dr. Libao invites resource speakers, specialists in their own fields, to give  the much-needed theoretical background.  Volunteers are given an opportunity to apply  what they learned from the speakers by giving them  time to spend  with the children — the mentally challenged children,  orphans, physically handicapped, abandoned children, and street children between four and 11 years old. Their 10-Sunday sessions, held every January to February,  culminate with  a six-day camping in various places in the country.   This year, they are  excitedly waiting to be in Daet, Camarines Sur come April 4 to 10.   Pedya Kamp’s 23rd year slogan goes,  â€God’s special children — imperfect yet amazing.” 

In support of Pedya Kamp’s advocacy, I conducted  a Laughter Yoga session at Makati Medical auditorium, attended by 300 participants including doctors, administration staff, nuns, and student volunteers.  Since a great majority were young people, I introduced the Laughter Yoga-Gangnam style.  The participants so loved it — it brought the house down, so we had to repeat it a number of times, as we roared with laughter.  Being young, they swayed, danced, swung their hips, bent their waists with much dynamism and boundless energy, with some participants almost rolling on the floor as they did the LYoga exercises.  Dr. Libao requested that I do the Argument Laughter, “I’m Sorry” Laughter, and Appreciation Laughter, among others.  I added new positive chants to suit their age group, which they chanted with much delight and full force.

Like the Pedya Kamp volunteers, I look forward to conducting LYoga session  with them, for  being with these volunteers, oozing with energy, enthusiasm, and dedication,   makes me feel energized and young, too. 

From the “mouth of the babes” come these illuminating comments.”

• Sam Buco: Humor and laughter are  a huge part of my life. My funny bones  easily get tickled.  Not a day goes by that I wouldn’t be smiling or cackling at anything or anyone even during   blue days.  In February, 2012, I had my first LYdoga experience.  I can still recall how Tita Elvie entered the auditorium and greeted us with a hearty, contagious laughter. As people turned their heads to see where  that  gleeful sound was coming from, I knew it was  another enjoyable morning. And it was only the beginning!  We had an almost nonstop laughing for two hours,  but despite getting  tired,  LYoga  made me more energized and uplifted.   I realized  laughter  lightens  one’s load!

• Renz Builler Bondad:  I really enjoyed the session.  Amazing, especially the ho ho hahaha! 

• Jerz Malonzo: There’s nothing more enjoyable than Lyoga. You will always long for the “unkabogable” laughter of Tita Elvie. It releases stress and relaxes the feeling after the session.

 â€¢ Nicole Joy Cartas: It was fun and I want to experience it again! “ Laughter is  really the best medicine!!! I love the LYoga, Gangnam style!

• Jeremias Bartido: Laughter Yoga Gangnam, very innovative!

• Jobenneth Nadera: Laughter makes me forget the stress in school, at home, etc.  Thank you  for another joyful year, Ma’am Elvie. 

• Shiella Gilles:  Pretty good!  Relaxing  though time seems never enough.  

• Les Lee Peñaranda:  Super fun and  enjoyable. Doing Lyoga, Gangnam style made it more different,  interesting and happier. 

• Mabrics Gloriana: I had the best day laughing!

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 The next  Lyoga session is  on April 12,  with  600 PNB employees.  Let’s keep laughing to a healthy, happy positive us!  For more info, visit www.laughteryogaphils.com.  To laugh, visit lycphohohahaha.