Health Tips - The Mind, Body Connection

There is an in-built mechanism for relaxation unique to the human being: the human being is the only animal who laughs and can laugh heartily. Laughter, even deliberately induced laughter, not only provides emotional satisfaction, but also significant physiological benefits and relaxation. The basis of laughter is a deep inhalation followed by rhythmic exhalation, especially using the diaphragm, the large muscle mass in the body that separates the abdominal and chest cavities. This helps equalize the pressures in both the cavities and apart from aiding venous drainage, also causes massage to the internal organs.

There are four types of laughter described by health practitioners that can be beneficial (people with heart or lung problems or high blood pressure should use caution):

a) ‘Etiquette laughter’ starts with a smile and extends to mild laughter, with no special attention to breathing. The tempo gradually builds up.

b) In ‘pigeon laughter’, a deeper inhalation is done and, keeping the mouth shut, you produce laughter making the sounds like hums of pigeons. This is an internal laughter and has its own advantages.

c) ‘Soundless laughter’ is the most difficult to learn, but very effective. Take a very deep in-breath, and then open the mouth and put the tongue out and let laughter out – but without making any sound! Also, after one inhalation you can exhale as long as possible, with rhythmic jerks to the diaphragm; this ‘inner jogging’ is vigorous and exhausting.

d) ‘Belly laughter’ is similar to the soundless laughter, but you let go and laugh loudly – even rolling on the floor or doubling up. Repeated in-breaths are needed and this can last for as long as you like.

What follows next is our laughter meditation. It’s called Deliberate Laughter.
We sit in chairs making eye contact and because of the contagious nature of Laughter, the laughter flows like a fountain without any reason. It’s unstoppable, belly rippling, tears in your eyes , uproarious and your sides will start aching. This is why it’s called Laughter Meditation.

Lastly, our relaxation meditation.

Only a few decades ago, medical students were taught to view the body as a machine whose parts would inevitably break down until it could no longer be repaired. Today science is arriving at a radically different understanding: While the body appears to be material, it is really a field of energy and intelligence that is inextricably connected to the mind. All of the thoughts, perceptions, memories, emotions, and feelings in our mind influence every cell of our body. When we have a loving thought or focus on a happy memory or feeling, our brain triggers a cascade of molecules that promote wellbeing in our physiology. On the other hand, when we hold onto emotions such as anger, fear, and doubt, this creates stress and damage in the body.

Through a relaxation meditation, we can reverse the effects of accumulated stress and toxicity. Meditation takes us into inner silence, allowing the body to restore balance and repair itself.

When we finish our relaxation meditation the floor is then open to sharing.