Laughter & Sound Healing - Undoubtedly some of the Best Medicine!
Updated: Apr 20
7 Tips & Techniques to promote well-being, elevate your mood & deepen your intuition.
"A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book" - Irish proverb (source: 'Laugh More' - Sam Rehan)
Not many things lift my mood like the innocent joy & laughter of children - so sweet! so uplifting, so natural. A key to longevity I'm sure. In the words of George Bernard Shaw
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." George Bernard Shaw
Personally, I'm also a great one for dusting off some of the comedy greats ( Black Adder being a particular favourite )
Laughter lifts our spirits, boosting the feel-good hormones in the body including serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins.
and then we have Sound, which laughter is definitely part of......
Sound is a key player in the upliftment & healing arena. It has been used for healing purposes for thousands of years. Many cultures have incorporated the power of sound into their spiritual practices, including chanting, drumming, and singing and in recent years, sound healing has gained popularity as a complementary therapy for various health issues, including stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.
Laughter Yoga and Sound Healing are two powerful practices that can help you reduce stress, improve your mood, and enhance your overall well-being. Laughter Yoga combines laughter exercises with yogic breathing techniques, while Sound Healing uses various sounds and vibrations to promote relaxation and healing. In this blog post, we will explore 7 tips and techniques with Laughter Yoga and Sound Healing to help you improve your mental and physical health.
Tip #1 - Deepen your Breath - always a good place to start!
Before you begin your Laughter Yoga or Sound Healing session, start with some deep breathing exercises to help you relax and prepare for the practice. Take deep, slow breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth, focusing on the sensation of the breath moving in and out of your body.
Tip #2 - Incorporate Laughter Yoga Exercises
Laughter Yoga exercises can help you release tension and stress, and promote feelings of joy and happiness. Incorporating exercises like "Gibberish," "Fake Laughter," and "Ho Ho Ha Ha Ha" to stimulate laughter can improve your mood.
Can you find someone else to laugh with?
Or watch a funny movie/comedy? Highly recommend by Louise Hay, who, alongside her affirmations practice highly recommended Laugh-a-thon with comedy series to heal her cancer
"Laughter connects you with people. It’s almost impossible to maintain any kind of distance or any sense of social hierarchy when you’re just howling with laughter. Laughter is a force for democracy" - John Cleese
Tip #3 - Use Props and Visualisations
Props and visualisations can help enhance your Laughter Yoga and experience. Try using props like balloons, feathers, and bubbles, or visualise yourself in a happy place like a beach or forest to increase feelings of relaxation and joy.
Tip #4 - Practice Chanting and Singing
Chanting and singing are powerful ways to stimulate the vagus nerve and promote relaxation. Try chanting "Om" or singing your favorite song to help calm your mind and reduce stress.
At home you could sing or chant along to your favourite mantra
Tip #5 - Experiment with Sound Healing Instruments
Sound Healing instruments like singing bowls, chimes, and gongs can help to promote deep relaxation and healing.
Himalayan singing bowls are relatively easy to use & quite robust. Strike the bowl & use it to focus & entrain the mind by following the sound into silence.
You can Incorporate these instruments into your yoga or meditation practice, or attend a Sound Healing session with Shivani Maria www.shivanimaria.com
or a professional practitioner in your area to experience the full benefits.
"Music without words means leaving behind the mind. And leaving behind the mind is meditation. Meditation returns you to the Source. And the source of all is sound" - Kabir
Tip #6 - Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness can help you focus on the present moment and reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. Try incorporating mindfulness practices like deep breathing, body scanning, and visualisation into your Laughter Yoga and Sound Healing sessions to deepen your practice and promote relaxation.
Tip #7-Laugh and Make Sound with Intention
Finally, remember to approach your Laughter Yoga and Sound Healing practice with intention. Laugh and make sound with the intention of releasing tension and promoting healing, and focus on the positive feelings that arise as a result.
In conclusion, Laughter Yoga and Sound Healing are powerful tools for promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and improving overall well-being.
By incorporating these tips and techniques into your practice, you can deepen your experience and enhance the benefits. Remember to approach your practice with intention and an open mind, and enjoy the positive effects on your mental and physical health.
We, Sam Rehan & Shivani Maria, have two upcoming Laughter Yoga & Sound Healing dates in Forest row, East Sussex, Uk
The first is on Sat 29th April 2023 @ 2.30pm & the next one on Sat 10 June @3pm
www.shivanimaria.com www.samrehan.com