laughter yoga for the washington state department of ecology

Laughter YogaBrown BagOct 16, 2013

Justin B. Wright, Certified Laughter Yoga

Leader1

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Handshake/ Namaste Greeting

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~ Please share* a word or phrase on these 3 topics ~

Laughter is: (Give a Definition, Synonym, Value, etc.)

Laughter can: (Give an example)

Laughter at Department of Ecology should: (Dream BIG!)

*share with the group or a neighbor*share at facebook.com/olympialaughteryoga during the brown bag for a prize

The Sanskrit word Yoga has the literal meaning “Yoke”. The root yuj means: to join, to unite, to attach, to get hold of, to integrate, or to harmonize.Laughter Yoga can be a physical, mental, and/or spiritual practice.Laughter Yoga helps us integrate laughter into our life.

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Philosophy

Contagious Yawners tend to be higher in dispositional empathy.

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Yaaaawn

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• Laughter can communicate via tone, volume, rhythm

• Laughter can be soothing or agitating, helpful or harmful

• Appropriate and healthy laughter increases social skills, emotional intelligence, and positive relationships

• A culture of healthy laughter reduces the incidence of bullying, teasing, and harassing

Laughter is an extension of our voice

• Laughter is fun• Laughter is healthy• Laughter is contagious• Laughter is easiest with friends• Laughter can happen deliberately without

comedy

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Assumptions

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As with any aerobic activity, use precaution.When in doubt consult your physician.• Recent surgery (last 3 months)• Pregnancy• Major psychiatric disorders• Hernia• Heart Disease• Epilepsy• Urinary incontinence• Bleeding piles• Persistent cough

CONTRAINDICATIONS

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When to use Laughter Yoga

• During your commute• Beginning of the day – to energize• In the field – to overcome challenges• During lunch break – for a pick-me-up, to aid digestion• End of the day – to decompress

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Cell phoneEMFs? Ask the FCC?

• Increased energy levels• Rapid decrease of stress levels and better

ability to deal with stress• Improved commitment and motivation• Increased performance, efficiency,

innovation and problem solving abilities• Stronger team spirit• Reduced absenteeism and improved health

leading to decreased sick leave and lower medical costs 11

Benefits

• Be Willing to Laugh• Attitude of Playfulness• Warm-Up Stretches• Call & Response Laughs without jokes/

talking• Signal to Break [VG,VG, Y!x2 or HH/HHHx3]• Eye Contact• Mingle• ‘Yogic’ Breath

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How-To

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Silent LaughSilence will imply consent on meeting management and

procedural issues

•Animals•Holidays•Special Events•Common Life Scenarios•Characters from Fiction

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Examples of Themes

• Solfège [Scales]• Beautiful Round Notes• Faux Opera

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Laughter & Music

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Animals

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Blow Kisses Breath

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No Money LaughFurlough, COLA shortfall

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Won the Grant LaughFederal Recovery Act Funding

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Roller Coaster LaughHigh Occupancy Vehicle?

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Shiver Laugh

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Hot Cocoa Breath

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Pirate/ Swashbuckler LaughCompliance & Enforcement

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Bow & Arrow Laugh/ 1 Meter/ 1 cm Laugh

Assessment

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Toothache/ Nitrous/ GargleACA Dental Plan?

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Hula Hoop/ Hula DancePaid Vacation or Staycation

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Unbalanced WasherMonitoring and Measuring Water Use

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Bouquet BreathStop and smell the non-native

invasive plants

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SneezeClean air, public health & the

environment

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Wicked LaughLong term Polluters for Profit?

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Wolfman, Ghost, WitchTrick or Treat, my sweet

Zombie7 AM Staff Meeting?

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Vader Breath

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Cartoon Characters

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Cutting Onions/ CryingPersistent, bioaccummulative, and toxic

substances?

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Gradient Laugh

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Further info

With or withoutRed Nose

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Safe, Appropriate, Profoundly Memorable Surprises

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Facebook.com/olympialaughteryoga

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Laughter…Is: ____________Can: __________Should:________