Laughter Yoga has been part of my life since my first experience of it back in 2009 when I attended a 1-day workshop that I facilitated for Age UK Dudley where I worked at the time.

I was spellbound.  I felt the laughter and joy I’d experienced through my life and particularly during my childhood well up like a fountain.  I was totally hooked.

The result was that it became a passion in my life, second only to my love of cycling and I embraced it wholeheartedly, engaging in a 2-day training in 2010 to become a Leader and later building on this vocation to become a teacher on 2013 (I have taught 34 people since qualifying).

Being part of the international Laughter Yoga movement has helped me to see life differently, to be more mindful and caring.  To give back to society!  The joy I feel when I see people who have never experienced it before and it light’s up their faces like a beacon makes it all so worthwhile.

The title of this post seems a little strange but tears and laughter are so closely related.  Both can be incredibly cathartic.  They both allow us to express our feelings and to release them. 

Have you ever felt so deeply some pain from your past or a physical pain?  It is well known that laughter can ease physical pain. 

Normal Cousins proved this in the 1960’s when he was suffering unbelievable pain from Ankylosing Spondylitis that no pain killers could relieve.  Along with eating a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, he watched films featuring Laurel & Hardy and other comedies and found that 10 minutes of sustained laughter gave him 2 hours of pain free sleep..

You know that feeling when you are trying to hold it all together, to look strong, to be strong.  You feel the tension, you feel deeply sad, you feel your throat burn as you try to hold on to your emotions.  It hurts.  Finally, you can’t hold it any longer and the crying bursts out and you are sobbing your heart out.  Wow … the release!  You feel free. 

Then … you can laugh again and feel the joy.