Funny Business
I checked out the Laughter Yoga class at the Floyd Fitness Center because I thought it would make a nice story for the paper because I know we could all use a good laugh right about now in the middle of a blizzardy February.
The group was less than half its normal size because of the recent bad weather and still iffy traveling conditions. They invited me to join in but, being adverse to all things yoga, I declined to participate, choosing instead to observe and take pictures.
I should explain that as a person with dyscalculia (a spatial learning disability), I have been traumatized in the past by trying to follow practices that hint at anything with choreographed steps, preferring instead impromptu movement, freestyle dancing, and not balancing my checkbook. Also, since my husband does a few kinds of marital arts, practices more than one meditation tradition, and is engaged in a growing number of therapeutic modalities related to his counseling practice, I find that I have swung to the opposite end of the spectrum, becoming somewhat of a hooky-playing rebel skeptic in balance to him.
Well, the yoga mats never came out (until the closing laughing/silence meditation) and instead of plows, headstands and sun salutations, the yogis strutted around like sumo wrestlers, bounced around like flobby puppets, and generally threw themselves into giggling giddiness. The whole thing was right up my silly alley, a wholly unserious and contagious fast track to fun, not to mention (which I will in the formal story) the health benefits and implications for uniting people that laughter can offer.
It was hard to keep the camera straight. In the one video clip I took, I could hear myself laughing … laughing … laughing … my way to enlightenment, or at least to lightening up.
February 12th, 2010 9:48 am
I don’t know everything, but I am pretty sure that this is exactly how life is supposed to be. 🙂
February 12th, 2010 12:53 pm
ho-ho-ha-ha-ha! this reminds me of my own experience. will look forward to your story. 🙂
February 12th, 2010 2:17 pm
“…a person with dyscalculia (a spatial learning disability), I have been traumatized in the past by trying to follow practices that hint at anything with choreographed steps, preferring instead impromptu movement, freestyle dancing, and not balancing my checkbook.”
Is THAT what I have? Oh my, and all this time I thought I was missing the ‘line dancing’ gene!! Thanks so much for this enlightenment… 🙂
February 12th, 2010 2:25 pm
Yes, Elaine and people with dyscalculia are often more advanced in language and art skills.
February 12th, 2010 2:32 pm
It’s like children playing and cavorting in a meadow. I bet it feels good.
Flash 55 – Priorities
February 12th, 2010 3:53 pm
I just know that would be a lot of fun!!
February 12th, 2010 10:24 pm
I do hope you will reconsider yoga. It is recommended for chronic fatigue syndrome, as it gets the energy moving through the chakras. Really, nobody cares if you follow the instructions to the letter in any type of yoga practice. You might get some helpful “corrections” from the instructor, but if you explain in advance about dyscalculia, I feel sure the sessions would be beneficial for you. Thanks for your post on Laughter Yoga. Good to know it is available in Floyd!
February 12th, 2010 10:36 pm
I’ve done yoga in the long ago past. Part of my comment about yoga was tongue in cheek, but it’s also true that I prefer jumping on a large trampoline, stretching in ways that feel good and sometimes swinging some 3 pound weights, dancing and swimming for exercise. These kinds of movement, especially the jumping which stimulates the lymph system, are very important for managing my fatigue issues.
February 13th, 2010 3:33 am
LOL, that looks like such fun….And I think there is nothing like laughing….LOL!
February 13th, 2010 4:09 am
Of what I see that doesn’t look like Yoga at all 🙂 ! I have yoga classes too, but it’s a very soft kind of gymnastic where most of the exercises can even been done in your bed (that’s what I am doing each morning) and there is no meditation (I hate that) I can only say it does a lot of good to me and keeps me in form.
February 13th, 2010 5:25 pm
I can feel the laughter through these photos, Colleen. I think we all need to seek more opportunities to feed our souls with happies.
It’s been snowy here, too, so I feel your pain. Though considering we’re in the Great White North, we sorta expect it here.
February 14th, 2010 9:58 am
That looks like fun just from the pictures. We al need to laugh a little more, anyway.
February 14th, 2010 9:10 pm
Yes, jumping, stretching and swimming are all very good for the lymph system, as well as the psyche!
February 14th, 2010 10:50 pm
I don’t think this is real yoga??!! xo
February 14th, 2010 11:00 pm
It’s “laughter yoga” as opposed to “hatha yoga” and other kinds. I’ll post the story I wrote on it later in the week and that will explain it better. It does involve breathing, stretching and laughing relaxes and strengthens muscles.
February 24th, 2014 7:59 am
[…] If I was going to do yoga it would be THIS kind. The above photo of my husband leading yoga on the beach was taken in and is from THIS post […]