LAUGH and be HAPPY with LAUGHTER YOGA

Laugh and be happy! But does yoga have to do with laughter ? Enter: Laughter Yoga and laugh for no reason! What is Laughter Yoga? I found out!

I am always on the lookout for practices that bring joy and well-being and Laughter Yoga had been on my back burner for years. I have often been told that I had a recognizable (and contagious) laugh. And I’m a cartoonist on my other job, so hey, laughter and yoga? Yeah bring it on!
So when I had the opportunity to do Laughter Yoga Leader Training with Teresa Corrigan, a nurse at UCSF Hospital in San Francisco, I said YES!

WHAT IS LAUGHTER YOGA?

In the Yogi family, I’m asking for … The Clown! Hello, and meet Laughter Yoga!

Laughter Yoga, or Hasya Yoga in Sanskrit terms, was created in 1995 by an Indian doctor from Mumbai and his wife, Madan and Madhuri Kataria.

In Laughter Yoga, there are 2 simple principles:
1. Laughing makes you happier and healthier.
2. The body does not know if you are really laughing or faking it! Even forced laughter is good! So, laugh, and all is coming.

LAUGHTER YOGA: LAUGH WITH YOUR BODY!

Yes but how to laugh? In Laughter Yoga, we laugh … for no reason! No jokes, no comedy, no making fun. In fact, no talking! In fact, you don’t even need to feel happy: your brain is not doing the laughing!

Laughter Yoga is about BODY laughing. Laughter exercises start by forcing your laughter, and very very often, you’ll end up laughing for REAL!

For example, repeat Ha Ha Ho Ho while moving around the room. Or go introduce yourself to another laughter yogi not with the usual greeting, but with a hearty laugh! Everything is an excuse to laugh: pretending to wash your hair, drinking a burning hot coffee, driving a big truck … Yup, you’ve got it: the idea is to not take yourself seriously, create funny situations and … laugh out loud!

WHY IS LAUGHTER YOGA CALLED YOGA?

Because, just like yoga, Laughter Yoga cultivates a joyful attitude in body, mind, spirit and in the present moment. This joy shines on, even when you are not laughing!

And also laughter, is like … Pranayama, yogic breathing exercises. Laughing makes you breathe deeply, relax, and see the bright side of life!

Ho ho ha ha ha!

Hello ho ho ha ha ha! Laught with the yogic telephone!

Stay away from the SNIFFLES with BRIDGE POSE, Setu Bandha Sarvangasana

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It’s cold, flu and sniffles season! Say no to winter bugs and boost your immune system with Bridge Pose, Setu Bandha Sarvangasana.

Yoga for immunity Bridge Pose Setu Bandha Sarvangasana

Note : Practice in a SHIRT in Cold Weather!

BRIDGE POSE FOR LYMPH CIRCULATION

The lymph plays an important role in the immune response. It transports white blood cells, picks up pathogens it finds on its way and bring them to the lymph nodes, where they are eradicated.

Unlike the blood -which is set in motion by the heart, lymph doesn’t get pumped to circulate. It moves mainly under the action of gravity and muscle contractions.

In other words: Move your bod’ to move your lymph. Bonus points if you get yourself upside down to get stuff moving even more!

In Bridge Pose, Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, not only are you moving your body, you are also going upside down! This gets your lymph to flow from bottom to top, collecting all the little germs and delivering them to the lymph nodes. EXPRESS.

BRIDGE POSE FOR BREATH AND DIGESTION

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana opens the chest: your breath deepens and nourishes your body fully, allowing your immune system to function optimally.

Also, Bridge Pose stimulates digestion. And a happy gut eliminates pathogens better. Be sure to pamper your digestive track with yoga!

HOW TO DO SETU BANDHA SARVANGASANA, BRIDGE POSE?

yoga for winter immunity bridge pose setu bandha sarvangasana

Bridging the gap between your health and yoga is as easy as Setu Bandha Sarvangasana!

– Lie on your back, arms at your sides, knees bent and feet on the floor at the width of the pelvis.

– Press your feet and arms into the ground.

– Lift the pelvis and direct your tail bone to the back of the knees.

– Interlace your hands on the mat, if you want.

– Keep your thighs at the width of the pelvis, and continue to direct your tailbone towards the back of the knees.

– Lift the sternum.

– Breathe!

– To get out of Bridge Pose, release the interlace of your hands and release your spine to the floor one vertebra at a time.

Go Deeper: Take care of yourself with:

– Boost your immunity with turmeric-ginger tea! (to be posted soon -still translating!!)

– Go upside-down! All about the benefits of inversions, and Downward Facing Dog, one of yoga’s favorite inversions! (also soon to be posted)

– Get your lymph moving with these 3 Postures for Energy (yay! Already translated!!).

– Open your heart more with Bhujangasana, Cobra Pose!

I wanna meditate! 6 TIPS to KICK START your MEDITATION practice

THIS IS IT. You’ve made up your mind: you are going to start your meditation practice and stick to it.
Yay!!

And then as you settle down, your back becomes achy, your toes suddenly itch and your mind is going on (and on) about its own life. Can’t they just let you meditate??

Well, here’s the news: every meditator has gone through the itchy foot, the crampy back and the monkey mind!

And here are my top 6 tips to kick start your meditation practice once and for all. See you in the clouds!

1. Meditation 101: Start short

And when I say short, I mean SHORT.

As short as a few deep breaths, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes … Start with a duration that seems POSSIBLE.

No point striving for 20mn in full silence if it’s your first time and your speeding mind is like a hamster on a treadmill.

2. Meditation 101: Enjoy the Journey!

Meditation is a journey: we enjoy the route too, not only the destination.
You may not reach Nirvana in this life, but you can certainly enjoy the benefits of meditation every day!

3. Meditation 101: You can’t “meditate wrong”

Sometimes it’s tough to meditate. And sometimes slipping into a meditative state is so simple and yummy. That’s the way meditation is. Even if you feel like you’re not doing it, it’s impossible to go wrong in meditation. You learn about yourself and renew body and soul during EVERY meditation. Keep it up!

4.Meditation 101: Find your style

Silent meditation, breath-based meditation, mantra meditation, meditations with songs, the sounds of nature, or soft music. Meditation techniques are infinite and each person has his/her preferences.

Some days I’m totally into chanting mantras, and others I prefer to sit in silence. And I love going to a sound meditation class, with singing bowls, gongs and other sound therapy instruments. Try different meditation techniques and have fun!

5. Meditation 101: cOMFORT FIRST

Your favorite meditation seat is Lotus Pose (Padmasana)? That’s great! If you’d rather lie down with a cushion under your knees or sit in a chair, that’s great too!

Remember, it is impossible to “meditate wrong”: there is no “right” way to sit in meditation, only the RIGHT way for YOU.

6. MEDITATION 101: Create a routine

Make meditation part of your daily routine! That’s one of the best ways to make sure you’ll keep at it!

Find the time of day it’s most convenient: in the morning before everyone else gets up, right after your shower, in the evening as the sun goes down… Routine will make you more likely to practice meditation daily. I think (and many meditation practitioners will tell you): you’ll reap more benefits if you meditate 15 minutes every day than 1 hour a week.

So settle down, breathe in, breath out and … off you go to Meditation Land!

FRENCH WOMAN’S MAG BIBA LOVES Yes Yoga Be Well

My blog Yes Yoga Bien-Etre made it into Biba Buzz and I’m buzzing with joy!

‘Cause if one of France’s leading Women and Fashion Magazines loves the French version of Yes Yoga Be Well, it’s sooo very chic!

BIBA BEAUTY BUZZ AND YES YOGA BE WELL

The big French women’s magazine BIBA loves the French version of my blog Yes Yoga Be Well!

Yes Yoga Be Well made the Biba Buzz in its March 2018 issue (yes, I was slow to post the great news. It’s like great wine, time just makes it greater).

And if Biba is buzzing, so am I! BUZZZZZZ BUZZZZ BUZZZZZ!

Thank you Biba! And keep up the great work. We LOVE your curated tips, buzzing news and all the best trends in fashion, beauty, lifestyle and culture.

French Women’s Mag Biba – March 2018 Issue featuring Yes Yoga Be Well French Version

3 Poses for POST-HOLIDAY ENERGY

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It’s back to work or school! Kick the post-holiday blues with these 3 energy-boosting poses and take care of the person who matters most to you: YOU!

YOGA FOR ENERGY

Need a morning boost to get you started? Or up your energy levels mid-afternoon? The answer is YOGA! Roll out your mat in the middle of the living room or in a corner of the office, and get your yoga on with this mini ENERGY sequence.

QUICK YOGA FLOW FOR ENERGY

Utkatasana, Adho Mukha Svanasana and Virabhadrasana 2 energize the torso, legs and back. Hello Body!
They also ground you down into the Earth and anchor you in your body and the present moment. Look no further for the perfect energy fix (and forget the coffee!)

Ready for a break? Flow from Chair pose to Downward Dog to Warrior 2, on the right, then on the left and be energized!

1. Utkatasana, Chair Pose

– Start in Mountain Pose, Tadasana, standing nice and tall, feet parallel.
– Bend your knees, as if you were going to sit on … a chair!
– Draw your tailbone towards the floor and lengthen the spine.
– Reach your arms out in front of you or above your head, as you wish.
– Breathe deeply.

Energy Flow Pose 1 : Utkatasana

2. Adho Mukha Svanasana, Downward Facing Dog

– From Utkatasana, place both hands on the floor and jump (or walk) back.
– Draw the torso backwards and raise your tailbone to the sky.
– Straighten your knees (all the way, or keeping them slightly bent).
– Draw the heels towards the floor. If they do not go all the way, that’s great, stay just where you are!
– Lengthen the arms, from the wrist to the shoulders.
– And breathe!

Go Deeper: Downward Facing Dog is such a classic yoga pose that it has its very own post! Check out all the alignment details of the pose, Downward Facing Dog’s benefits, contraindications, and great tips for a fierce Adho Mukha Svanasana!

Energy Flow Yoga Pose 2 : Adho Mukha Svanasana

3. Virabhadrasana 2, Warrior 2 Pose

– From Downward Facing Dog, step your right foot forward.
– Open the left foot to the left, and turn the torso to the left.
– Keep the right knee directly above your right ankle.
– Reach your arms out at shoulder height.
– Lengthen both sides of the torso.
– Turn your head to the right, and gaze at the tip of the middle finger (this is the classic Drishti) or gaze past your fingers.
– Breathe!

Quick Energy Yoga pose 3 : Warrior 2

Now complete the Energy Mini-Flow to the LEFT:
– From Warrior 2, change sides! come back to center, then do Virabhadrasana 2 on the other side.
– From Virabhadrasana 2, place your hands on the floor and step back into Downward Facing Dog.
– Then jump or walk forward, and sink your hips down into Utkatasana.
– Come back to Tadasana, Mountain Pose.
– Notice the energy pulsing through you, filing your body, mind and breath with beautiful luminous waves! You are ready to make your biggest dreams come true!

Go deeper with:
– The story behind Virabha, the warrior honored by Warrior 2 Pose and check out how to harness all your power in Virabhadrasana 2.

– For more flow in your life, ease into the Happiness Meditation. Tune in to your happiest holiday memories and let post-holiday stress melt away.

Wishing you joy and energy!

Yes Yoga Be Well

Yoga and Energy Healing in Singapore

Category: Yoga