1. 1 Guided Laughter Justin B. Wright, Certified Laughter Yoga Leader Background Research Benefits How-To Conclusion

2. 2 April Fool’s 2009 Charles & Wendy Pied

3. 3

4. 4 2011 Over 500 Willing Faces Pied

5. 5

6. 6 Assumptions Laughter is fun Laughter is healthy Laughter is contagious Laughter is easiest with friends Laughter can be produced deliberately without comedy

7. 7 Philosophy 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 discipline.

8. 8 1995 – 1 st Laughter Yoga Club formed by Dr. Kataria 1996 – I graduate from TESC 2001-03 – I serve as an AmeriCorps*VISTA 2003 – “Laughing Clubs of India” Documentary released on DVD Circa 2004-5 DVD enters public library system in West Linn, OR 2008 – I’m dreaming (and blogging) about Laughter Yoga 2010 – My wife and I become Certified Laughter Yoga Leaders 2011 – Our friend, Kate, becomes a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher

9. 9 Portland Laughter Yoga Laughter Leader Certification June 2010

10. 10 Olympia Laughter Yoga at ENR We met at Evergreen Nursing and Rehab every Tuesday for 3 months

11. 11 Olympia Laughter Yoga at OUUC We meet each Sunday at 12:30 at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation

12. 12 CONTRAINDICATIONS As with any aerobic activity, use precaution – Recent surgery (last 3 months) – Pregnancy – Major psychiatric disorders – Hernia – Heart Disease – Epilepsy – Urinary incontinence – Bleeding piles – Persistent cough When in doubt consult your physician

13. 13 Benefits increased energy levels a 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

14. 14 New York Times 9.13.11

15. 15 How-To Be Willing to Laugh Attitude of Playfulness Warm-Up Stretches Call & Response Signal to Break [VG,VG, Y!x2 or HH/HHHx3] Eye Contact Mingle ‘Yogic’ Breath

16. 16 Examples of Themes Animals Holidays Special Events Common Life Scenarios Characters from Fiction

17. 17 Yaaaawn

18. 18 Handshake/ Namaste Greeting

19. 19 Opera Laugh

20. 20 Animals

21. 21 Blow Kisses Breath

22. 22 No Money Laugh

23. 23 Won the Lottery Laugh

24. 24 Roller Coaster Laugh

25. 25 Silent Laugh

26. 26 Shiver Laugh

27. 27 Hot Cocoa Breath

28. 28 Pirate/ Swashbuckler Laugh

29. 29 Bow & Arrow Laugh/ 1 Meter Laugh

30. 30 Cell phone

31. 31 Toothache/ Nitrous/ Gargle

32. 32 Cutting Onions/ Crying

33. 33 Hula Hoop/ Hula Dance

34. 34 Elvis the Pelvis

35. 35 Unbalanced Washer

36. 36 Bouquet Breath

37. 37 Sneeze

38. 38 Wicked Laugh

39. 39 Wolfman, Ghost, Witch

40. 40 Zombie

41. 41 Vader Breath

42. 42 Characters from Fiction

43. 43 Gradient Laugh

44. 44 Further info

45. 45

46. 46 Safe, Appropriate, Profoundly Memorable Surprises With or without Red Nose