The end of my 8 week laughter Yoga 1:1

Well the end of my Laughter Yoga 1:1 8 week course has come to an end.  Maria has become a very Good friend and although my weekly sessions have stopped, I feel its so important to carry on with the tools I have been given.  How did I fit into daily life this course and would I recommend it to others? just a few questions I have been asked are below:

How did I found an 8 week 1-1 programme and more to the point why you would recommend it to anyone else?

An 8 week programme enabled me to learn at a good pace, and put into practise all the techniques such as laughter, play, breathing into my daily schedule.  I could also reflect with Maria the following week how I had got on, difficulties in my day to day life, and how I could use the techniques to deal with everyday stress.  The more further into 8 weeks I got, the more I used it without thinking.  I would recommend a 8 week programme as it enables you to build up what I call my stress tools :) to combat life's stresses, and to learn how life does not have to be so serious.

How easy it was using Skype?

Skype is a fab tool and so easy to use.  This was my first time using it, but I actually felt that Maria was in the same room :) great when you need to fit it around home and work life.

How easy it was to incorporate into your life

As I say with Skype fitting the sessions in were no problem.  I got together with Maria on a couple of occasion's too which gave a nice variety of lessons.  As for the laughter exercises and the ten minute daily laughter, all you need to do is find that alone time such as in the car on the way to work, in the bath or shower, in the kitchen laughing a the dog...the list is endless. Just read through my blogg and you can see how I manage to fit it in :)

Why you would recommend it to others?

I and most people spend far too much of our life being stressed, fed up, serious, sensible, being told how one should behave...and why? because that's how we are brought up as children, and how daily grind and others expectations make us feel.  When you see somebody laugh how does that make you feel? happy? so why should we not laugh freely and have fun because it is not harming others when we do it, and the feeling I get from laughing is like a breath of fresh air, childlike and free.

Thank you xx

A good week of confidence building

Its Sunday and I have just had a skype chat with Maria about how my week has been. I have managed to do some laughter exercises a least once a day and practised my breathing also.  I have a new laugh which I use when I get some numb nut cutting me up...its my version of Ace Ventura Pet Detective's famous sayings 'ALRIGHTY THEN' and 'REHEEEEERLY' see you tube for examples lol :)

Click to see Ace Ventura :) Alrighty Then

Click to see Ace Ventura :D Reheeeeerly

Also this week I was forced out of my comfort zone back to a place I have not been to for years...let me explain further...
Years ago I worked for a well know bank in IT support, and for many years was involved in training people in the use of new systems.  I loved the confidence I got from this job and the buzz and adrenaline rush I got from speaking to these groups of people and going around to different places in the UK to deliver support.  Since becoming a mum and changing direction in career I have lost a massive amount of my confidence, and this week made me realise how stir crazy I am becoming.  I can not complain about my current job because I have been given the opportunity to become a fully qualified tech, but deep down I know I need variety....sorry I will get to this weeks highlight....I was asked to speak out to a room full of people about a new system we have be using at work and lets just say I absolutely loved the feeling I got from doing this. Its hard to put into words how much more confident I felt afterwards, and the feeling of self worth but now I want more of this.  I was chatting to Maria about this on skype and she took  pictures of me smiling about it.  Here they are....excuse the scraped back hair...after all it is Sunday :D Much love, Amanda xxxx

Hello February :)

Boy am I happy that January has gone...you see I did not post this on my blog during January but it is one of the worst months for me...not only is it the usual most depressing month of the year for everybody after christmas festivities, but its filled with unhappy memory dates of loved ones.  I have had more ups and downs than a big dipper at Blackpool in the high season :D

 During January, and to try and deal with this I have used a lot of the techniques I have learnt.  After feeling down at work I would just use my stones given to me to remind me about the importance of calming myself down.   I would laugh it out on the way home if I was feeling really stressed so as to not take it home.  When I was exhausted in a morning due to the usual fibromyalgia pains and lack of sleep, knowing I was going to struggle at work, I would spend five minutes with my eyes closed doing the yoga breathing and listening to some of the meditation music I had downloaded.  I would make sure that the ten minute journey to work or to the shops would be my laughing time.

Well I am moving towards the last couple of weeks of my laughter yoga course, and i must admit its been a lovely experience and I feel a lot more able to deal with lifes ups and downs.  Don,t get me wrong I have had my lows still but its how we learn to move on from them to try and reduce the negative after effects x

Just thought I would finish with an amazing picture of my mum and son Alex which I love so much as its fab to see them both laughing so much.



xx

today was another testing day but I will not be defeated 😴😴

Ok so again I found it hard to get out of bed and missed my 7 o clock laughter call oops...so I was determined to get some laughter in before work...searching on youtube I came across loads of people all over the world doing the laughter yoga...what a find :) just joining in whilst watching them makes you chuckle and laugh hahaha...check it out so funny.

Tonight I did some of the breathing exercises and most I can do but one not so well.  I think its my wonky nose :@) because when I try to breath in through my left nostril I gasp...hmmm...anyway practise makes perfect just need to build this one.

Omming going ok too.  Just need to download some music from itunes now :) I do find this very relaxing and a great end to my day and good stress buster.

Thanks for reading and keep laughing xxx

Yoga Breathing Omming and my Precious Stones :) lovely end to my day

After another typical stressful day a lack of sleep and and facial nerve pain I was not in a great place...I did my laughter this morning so it might have been even worse for me had I not.  After work my next lesson with Maria was about breathing and after mastering various techniques and breathng exercises I found myself relaxing and it actually felt as though the stress I was carrying was just melting...lovely stuff...yey yet another tool for my little stress tool box along with the four little gem stones for my pocket x



This is an example of one of my stones...a Peacock Ore.  Cant stop looking at this so pretty :) just read about it on the internet and here is an example of its therapeutic properties:  To assist you in shifting your inner Self, aligning your thoughts and emotions in a very soothing, calming way.

I then did omming...its great and I actually felt like I was in a trance tonight to the background music and the himalayan salt lamp.  I am sure I could see the outline of a cats face in the lamp lol...Maria stare at your lamp and you will see it :) hehe

All in all a lovely end to my day and also a little chat on the way out about my future career options x

ommmmmmmmmmm :) and sleep time

Laughter yoga practice and giddy labrador dog

Hmmm

Had a great skype session with my lovely Maria on Friday and have given myself a kick to ensure I do my laughter each day.  You see the last few days I have dipped and felt lower than usual.  I think the fibromyalgia combined with working in pain and general January Blues are lurking, hence the need to keep going with the daily laughter yoga.

I decided to have a little fun in the kitchen doing my ho ho ha ha and clapping whilst the dog just wagged and excitedly run around my legs.  Well all was going well so I decided to do some lion faces  at him...this got his a little bit too excited...resulting in a wee all over the floor :/ oops .... maybe Merlin my Labrador needs tena for dogs :D

Well family time now and a trip to snozone with Alex for his first ever ski experience to help him prepare for skiing at easter x feeling a bit more positive today x

Keeping smiling and laughing x

Amanda

just for a laugh x

Joy can come from doing something we enjoy ?

Been a very very very busy weekend indeed fixing a leaking shower or should I say demolishing it with a hammer (raises eyebrow at husband)...well not blogged so thought I better pop a few words on here.  I have been a little naughty because I did not get out of bed to do my laughter call session this morning oops but soon made up for it by laughing at my son and his confusion over the character on the film A nightmare on Elm Street, and Edward scissor hands...he came in to kitchen and asked if the character from nightmare on elm street was called Freddy scissor hands...don't know why but I creased up and so did he...I know...I know...you had to be there :)

Anyway...I have also been making cards and crafty things again...I use to get so much joy out of this years ago so went into the Range and bought some things to get me started...now I have an obsession and have burnt tea twice oops x

Here are a couple of my pictures to show you what I have been up to :)

Happiness and laughter and joy comes from doing lots of happy things for oneself xx

fibromyalgia sucks...all the more reason to keep smiling

Aaaaahhhhhh not so funny this morning but all the more reason for my blog and mission to keep smiling...fibromyalgia kicked in AGAIN....head hurts sores n mouth and I cant even brush my hair properly because of the pain in my scalp.  Just anther reason to keep the laughter yoga and meditation  up so it does not take too much hold.

An exercise I was taught is to laugh at the problem...in the face of it...so lots of it today.

Hugs and stuff

Amanda xx

Happiness and Joy :)

Lesson 4 The difference between Happiness and Joy :)

Great evening with Maria tonight where we sang danced played games and had fun.  What a tonic this was :) never thought rewriting the words to IF YOUR HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT could make you laugh...well the version we created did ;)

I want you to imagine the song and now sing it as follows....

Ho ho ha ha ha ha he he ho he ho (If your happy and you know it clap your hands)
Ho ho ha ha ha ha he he ho he ho (If your happy and you know it clap your hands)
Ho ho he he he he ho ho he he he he ha ha ho ho he he ha ha ha ha he he ho he ho (if your happy and you know it and you really want to show it if your happy and you know it clap your hands)

I bet you can,t help but laugh doing this ;)

Feeling better for having a bit of fun after the work blues x

Speak Soon xx hugs n giggles xx Amanda

Happy Birthday Alex

Love my big guy so much...15 today where does time go x

a dip in mood, tears and testing

Hi all...been off work all week and I guess reality is kicking in that my lovely week is about to end.  Last night I hit a low and had a few tears after hearing Something regarding work which to any normal person would just make them annoyed or a little anxious but oh no I have a major wobble get upset and cry!!! whats all that about???...........
I guess it shows I have issues with some aspects of my life which need addressing.  Guess you are wondering why post this on the laughter blogg? Well I guess it shows why its important that I adopt and grab hold of the techniques I have learnt to deal with my demons because I have realised how delicate I can be.
Normally I would dwell and the low would last a while but its my boys 15th birthday so its going to be a fun day today hence the wake up he received from crazy mum and dad.  I am not going to let things spoil our day xxxxxx

Great me time week and got my positive pants back on

Last day of my week off, and I am very proud of myself to be including more ME time!

Each morning I started with my ten minutes laughter yoga, gentle exercise on Wii Fit and some gentle Pilate's stretches followed by a nice warm bath to get me going for the day...bliss :)

My hips are not as stiff....RESULT

This morning I did the same but it was followed by a lovely get together with my laughter coach Maria to go through things and plan for the next four weeks.  Even managed to talk myself into a dance class hahaha with my hips hmmmmmm watch this space.

To Sum up feeling like I am wearing positive pants, eating healthy, not drinking, starting to do gentle exercise and feel like its a good start to 2014

Yey Happy Happy Amanda

Laughing for Health

I have been in lots of pain on and off over the past few months which is just one of the reasons I decided to try out this laughter Yoga with the lovely Maria.  I have been doing a little googling and came across an article in the New York Times which describes really well why I am doing what I am doing and the benefits.

Well worth a read guys and it might encourage more laughing if you do.

It starts...Laughter is regularly promoted as a source of health and well being, but it has been hard to pin down exactly why laughing until it hurts feels so good.  The answer,   reports Robin Dunbar, an evolutionary psychologist at Oxford, is not the intellectual pleasure of cerebral humor, but the physical act of laughing. The simple muscular exertions involved in producing the familiar ha, ha, ha, he said, trigger an increase in endorphins, the brain chemicals known for their feel-good...Click here for the full report :)

New York Times On Laughter

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone.  I have not blogged for a while :) oops for a few reasons...been busy busy putting into practice my playfulness with some fantastic friends and boy have we laughed :) and also had yet another bout of WOman flu :( which has put me back a little bit in the breathing and laughing thing because basically I could hardly breath.

But its a fresh start and I have renewed my subscription to my laughing conference daily call,   I have also become a dryathlete and have started eating better.  I think good health comes from what we put into our bodies and how we treat our bodies and I hope I can keep the motivation going :) x

So tomorrow on the agenda we have a 7am laughter conference call followed by a healthy breakfast and maybe a little excersise if my fibromyalgia allows.

back soon with an update

Amanda xx