Laughter is easily stimulated in a group when combined with eye contact, childlike playfulness and laughter exercises. Fake laughter quickly becomes real. Laughter Yoga brings more oxygen to the body and brain by incorporating yogic breathing which results in deep diaphragmatic breathing. Laughter Yoga is based on the concept that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter, both physically and mentally the results are the same.

Benefits of Hasyayoga:

- Enhanced immune system
- Less depression
- More oxygen flow to the body
- Deduction in stress
- Better sense of happiness and self
- Supports cardio-vascular health

4 Top Ways to Practice a Peaceful Mind

1. Make a conscious effort to put some time away each day to sit or lay down. Write a note to your self, keep an alert on your phone, or leave a message on your phone to remind you that you need time. This is really the first step until you’ve had enough practice to do it with out reminding. Start with 5 minutes each and everyday to sit in a quiet stop to just relax. Close your eyes and just focus your attention on breathing. You can even do this on your lunch break in your car if that is all the time you have.

2. Start writing. Writing is a very expressive part of you. It allows your mind to focus on your thoughts, and helps transfer them to paper. It is a great way to stay communicative with yourself. This also takes some practicing, especially if you feel you aren’t much of a writer. Remember you aren’t writing a novel for others to read- no perfection necessary. Leave a notebook next to your bed or desk so that it reminds you.

3. Meditate or listen to music. Meditation is very similar to finding 5 minutes a day to sit down. However, meditation can help you stay more focused on your goals and to show you that the stress you’re carrying is not as important as you imagined. If you have a hard time getting to a meditative state try finding a meditation CD for your needs. They make meditations CDs for everyone. You can find them in categories such as happiness, money, success, love and health.

4. Take up a new hobby or class in relaxation. If you have a hard time really staying focused find a coach or take a class in such things as yoga, life coaching, cooking, tai chi, or even a book club. When we work with others we often feel more inclined to keep it up, have better support and gain tools. Many local colleges and community centers offer these classes for their community. If you live further from the city you can join a club online.

Sit down in a quiet space. Close your eyes and imagine that all around you is covered in bright beautiful gold light. Feel your roots grounded to the core of the earth and your inner truth. Visualize a swirl of purple energy coming down from the top of your head and gently moving all obstacles out of your way as it makes it way down. Let this energy go all the way down into the earth. Breathe long and deep through your nose. Visualize your own personal star and energetic find it above you. When you reach it bring that star down through the crown of your head and all through your body. You will know when you have reached “your star” this star energetically holds all your information that you need.

-Blessings

Deep breathing is not a new concept as you may know. If you have taken any yoga, stretching, or Pilate’s class they will all mention to make sure you breathe deep. Breathing deep does the body good on many levels. It not only helps the diaphragm relax and release tension, but it helps the body detox toxins, circulates more oxygen to your organs, and relieves emotional stress.

Hear are some great breathing exercises that I highly recommend. Any one of these are a great way to start your morning even before you get out of bed. You can also find the full version of this article here: Breathing Techniques

Full Chest and Abdominal Breathing

This method is simply a deepening of the breath. Take slow, deep, rhythmic breaths through the nose. When the diaphragm drops down, the abdomen is expanded allowing the air to rush into the vacuum created in the lungs.

Then the chest cavity is expanded, allowing the lungs to fill completely. This is followed by a slow, even exhalation which empties the lungs completely.

This simple breath practice done slowly and fully, with intention, concentration and relaxation activates all of the primary benefits of therapeutic breath practice. In Qigong and Pranayama the breath is retained for additional benefit.

Application Suggestions:

• Health maintenance: 6 to 10 repetitions, 2 to 3 sessions per day.
• Health enhancement: 6 to 10 repetitions, 4 to 6 sessions per day.
• Disease intervention: Start slowly and build up to 15 to 20 repetitions, in 10 to 15 sessions per day. Getting started: 2 to 3 repetitions, once or twice per day.
• Remember to keep it easy and fun.

Alternate Nostril Breathing

Using your thumb on your right nostril and your pinky and third finger (the finger right next to your pinky finger), hold your right nostril closed and inhale up your left nostril. Pause, and while your lungs are full of air, switch your fingers so that your left nostril is closed. Then exhale out your right nostril. Then inhale up your right nostril, pause, and again while your lungs are full of air, switch your fingers so that your right nostril is closed. Exhale. Repeat this process about 12 times. This breath is often done in preparation for deep relaxation or meditation.

You will notice that usually one or the other of the nostrils is more open. If you breath on a small hand mirror, the patch of mist from one nostril will be larger than from the other.

The ancient practitioners of Yoga in India were aware of the significance of this and employed this knowledge to enhance health and consciousness. Western science did not notice this phenomena until the 1800′s.

It has been found recently, through the application of current neuroscience, that the practice of alternate nostril breathing helps to balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain.

Applications Suggestions:

• Health maintenance: 10 to 12 repetitions, 2 to 3 sessions per day.
• Health enhancement: 10 to 12 repetitions, 4 to 6 sessions per day.
• Disease intervention: Start slowly and build up to 15 to 20 repetitions, 8 to 10 sessions per day or up to even 100 repetitions in a single session.
• Getting started: 10 to 12 repetitions, once or twice per day. Notice that this method is very quieting.

Our first act when we emerge from the womb is to inspire. Our last act is to dis-inspire or expire. These breaths, first in and finally out, are like parentheses that encompass our corporal life. It is no surprise that the breath would be so remarkably linked to the power of healing.

This is another extremely simple method that initiates the relaxation response. Begin by taking slow deep breaths. Repeat these messages to yourself.

“My hands and arms are heavy and warm” (5 times).
“My feet and legs are heavy and warm” (5 times).
“My abdomen is warm and comfortable” (5 times).
“My breathing is deep and even” (10 times).
“My heartbeat is calm and regular” (10 times). “My forehead is cool” (5 times).
“When I open my eyes, I will remain relaxed and refreshed” (3 times).

Application Suggestions:

• Health maintenance: 2 to 3 sessions per day.
• Health enhancement: 6 to 10 sessions per day.
• Disease intervention: Start slowly and build up to 10 to 15 sessions per day. Until you are well you have time to do this.
• Getting started: 2 to 3 sessions per day.