Laughter for Health - AliciaSmith.com

Length:	45 – 90 minutes
Description:	Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health.

	Laughter Yoga is a revolutionary idea – simple and profound. An exercise routine, it is sweeping the world and is a complete well being workout. Today, it has become a worldwide phenomenon and there are thousands of Laughter Clubs in more than 72 countries.
	Laughter Yoga combines Unconditional Laughter with Yogic Breathing (Pranayama). Anyone can Laugh for No Reason, without relying on humor, jokes or comedy. Laughter is simulated as a body exercise in a group; with eye contact and childlike playfulness, it soon turns into real and contagious laughter. The concept of Laughter Yoga is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter. One gets the same physiological and psychological benefits.

Objectives:
Objectives:	Releases endorphins (the “feel good” hormones), boosts immune system, provides aerobic exercise, reduces stress hormone levels, improves circulation, enhances emotional intelligence, releases suppressed emotions, Improves social connections, reduces blood pressure, reduces pain, Improves self-confidence, and expands creativity.
Resources:	www.aliciasmith.com/laughterresources
Fee:	None, although travel expenses* are required.
Engage Alicia:	If you are interested in Alicia speaking to your group, on one or two topics, please click Engage Alicia to make your request.

	Alicia is a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader (CLYL), and is available to speak to your group

Presentations: Flyer	Flyer December 13, 2013: The Ridge Athletic Club, Bozeman, MT December 13, 2013: Park County Senior Center, Livingston, MT November 15, 2013: Park County Senior Center, Livingston, MT November 15, 2013: The Ridge Athletic Club, Bozeman, MT October 11, 2013: Park County Senior Center, Livingston, MT


Testimonials:	Before: I have never done Laughter Yoga but I’m excited to try something new. After: I feel energized & happy! ~Participant Before: I have no idea what this is going to be like. Thought I’d try something different. After: Very fun! We don’t laugh enough in the day and this was a great way to get the laughter out! ~ Kailyn Before: Shy about purposefully laughing. After: I feel more open and had fun! ~ Kathy Before: Near migraine headache. After: Slight head pain, much better. LY really gets those endorphins going. Feels weird at first, quickly gets comfortable & very enjoyable. Easy exercise even when sitting ~Birdy Before: Tired. After: Energized. Very enjoyable! Good for the body and soul. ~ Elisha Before: Nervous. After: Much more relaxed and happy. Keep this up! You have a great program. Seniors need this to get out of their shell. ~Ann Gholz Before: Semi-tired. After: Uplifting and energizing. ~Participant Before: Apprehensive. After: Great! My heart and lungs feel so much more open. ~ Janie Helps to increase circulation and warmed my body and my heart. Great FUN!!! ~Participant A refreshing break with a group of people, some of whom you know and others you do not. At the end of class you like everyone there, plus fill very uplifted. ~Joe B. “I’d been wanting to try Laughter Yoga for some time now and was excited to see it taught in Bozeman. Laughter Yoga expands your lung capacity – a bonus for the yogi looking to improve their prananyama (breathing) experience. I loved connecting with other participants through the laughter exercises. I left the class feeling energized and elated! Thank you Alicia! ~Gloria O., Yoga Instructor I knew I would have more energy since this is my second class. Perhaps people can bring small props from home if they want. ~Participant At first I felt silly and a little embarrassed but found myself getting more and more into it. I became less inhibited. It was a great workout too! ~Participant It was so joyful; induced laughter right to the heart! ~Rick Very beneficial. Older folks can really benefit from Alicia’s Laughter Yoga class. ~BB.W., Participant I was self conscious when I first got here. It seemed so embarrassing to do the exercises with laughter. After awhile I relaxed and more comfortable with those around me. Then it became really fun. I’ll be back! ~Participant

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