A Life-Changing Video (if you want to be healthier and happier).
A Life-Changing Video (if you want to be healthier and happier).
My daughter passed away a couple of years ago and at her memorial service one of her friends said something which has stayed with me, haunted and helped me. The friend said my daughter often told her “I know we can all do a little better.” Trivial, right? Not if you knew her. She was an old soul who became vegetarian at about four years old, if memory serves. She was the kindest person I have ever known. She had a belly laugh like an infant. Her spiritual quest led her to India more than once. And at 3:40am I woke up today and had an epiphany. I think it is part of what she was talking about. Anyway, the rest of this text is directed to the epiphany. I have linked an illustrative video. I started this morning and am already feeling the effects. I hope this improves your life!
Laughter has been called “the highest form of meditation.” Like breathing, eating, sleeping and loving, it is something we all know how to do but could be done more beneficially with discipline and forethought. Taoist instructors teach it as “laughing qiqong” (or “chi kung”). Yoga instructors teach it as “laughing yoga.” However it is known it is a powerful form of therapy and healing.
Why dedicate certain times of the day to laughing? Because it is instant medicine for the mind and body. Your biochemistry and metabolism change. You relax. You love more easily. Your day simply goes better. With a little discipline, you can make every day of your life better!
There are two kinds of people in the world. People who meditate in the morning and people who don't. If you do, add laughing qiqong to your routine (perhaps at the beginning). If you don't meditate, make laughing qiqong your new morning ritual. With practice, it takes less than five minutes, but feel free to do more.
Here's what I was taught by a Taoist master: 1) find an appropriate place, the more oxygen the better, if you are on break at work try to get outside, privacy is helpful, playful dogs should be sequestered (my German Shepherd jumps on me when I laugh hard); 2) relax, by breathing deeply, a little light stretching, wear comfortable clothes if possible; 3) sit upright on a chair (if you prefer, lay on your back); 4) place your hands gently on your belly or sides, whichever is more comfortable; 5) think of something really funny (usually this won't work, but it gets you in the mood); 6) start laughing-- usually the laughter is false at first, so fake it till you make, sometimes shaking your belly or sides will help induce real laughter, achieving real laughter gets easier with practice, just do it till you feel really good; and 7) wind down-- if you have a way of collecting your energy do it, or simply focus on how much better your mind and body feel. Congratulations, you have just loved yourself!
This can also be done in a group (as shown on the video). Like a really good dance party, it is awkward at first and no one wants to start and then by the end no one wants to quit.
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