Building Trust with Program Groups

As I lead laughter yoga at the jail with women inmates, I learn a valuable lesson with each session. The inmates I laugh with are part of a re-entry program. Remaining in the re-entry program requires them to attend almost all classes. Twice a week, they are “required” to laugh with me in “laughter class”. I’ve been volunteering with re-entry groups at the jail for over a year. Each group is very different in their response to laughter yoga.  

The current group of women has been especially “tough”, meaning, about three out of the six in the group will not laugh unless they feel like it. In jail, most people aren’t there because they’ve had such a great life. It’s no surprise that they don’t feel like laughing. Trying to get some of the more angry and “hardened” inmates to laugh can feel like a going on a long run up a mountain.

But I’ve found that not trying to do anything is one way to disarm their rigidity. I’m transparent. Present in the moment. I abandon my laughter yoga agenda before each class and determine to meet them where they are. I know this isn’t conventional, but it seems to help them trust me and each other. Once they understand that my time with them is also their time — to vent, laugh, cry, and relax — they also let go of their agenda of refusing to laugh.  

They say my laughter is contagious. I share some of my story about laughter yoga each week, give them handouts with articles about laughter yoga, and make the most of each of their giggles. I include “feedback time” in every session after the silent meditation. It provides them with a sense of control and co-leadership of the class.

With each class, I try to build build build… trust. During one class with this group, building trust involved an inmate sharing a painful circumstance around her son for almost 45 minutes. He is 4 and was having major surgery that he may or may not have survived. She couldn’t be with him. She just had to wait for the news about the surgery from the Warden. She wasn’t in a place to laugh for no reason until she had been heard, hugged and allowed to cry. She didn’t ask to be in my class. She was there because she didn’t want to get kicked out of the re-entry program. I had to respect that. She ended up using laughter to release stress and blew the top off of the jail with her loud, silly laughter. She also wept during the silent meditation. Her remarks afterward were abundant – one really touched me. “Now, this is peace.”

The lesson for me for groups like these? Be fully empty with the laughter yoga goal in sight, but not as your required outcome for every class. They know why you’re there. They’ll follow your lead in time. Let them have control in a situation where they very little.

The Heart-Healing Retreat

What an honor it was to co-lead the Heart-Healing Laughter Retreat at gorgeous Bridge Between the Worlds! I came away with a few thoughts on laughter that were reinforced by the comments made by the participants. It works. It heals. It brings hope as it is adopted as a discipline, a yogic path. It opens the spirit to visions of new possibilities that hadn’t been seen, or fathomed, before.

Leading with Jon was a special treat. He has a background that compliments mine, and a leadership style that is different, too. We seemed to flow well together.

Most of all, my belief that laughter is many things and serves us well in so many ways was underscored. It’s taken about 2 years for me to become an irreversible, bonafide, “addict” (I’m using that word cautiously as substance abuse is so very painful) to laughter yoga. I want to start a laugh-a-demic and help foster an energy shift with whatever group who are willing and open to do so. Improv. Fun never-been-done-before stuff. If that interests you, please let me know. info@yogalaughs.com.

laughlovepeace,
Leigh

Unexplored Territory

I’ve heard much feedback from LY students about people not understanding what laughter yoga is – what it entails – what to expect. We seem to want to know what to expect while using our laughter with others. It’s completely understandable because it’s a new concept – sort of. Laughing for no reason. 

These times aren’t the easiest to laugh through, although I think these are crucial times to laugh in order to prevent sinking into depression and anxiety.

The only vulnerability that’s required to attend a laughter yoga class is the willingness to be silly with others doing the same, and to laugh. The leader should have a grasp of how to lead, depending on the comfort level of the group.

My front page, http://www.yogalaughs.com, has a great deal of information about what to expect to happen during a class. There are many online video clips sprinkled throughout the site.

Be brave! Attend the Valentine’s Celebration with someone, anyone, you love. Or try a class at the Senior Center or Studio 206. You are always welcome. If you can laugh, you’ll be able to participate. This path, if you stick with it, will truly, easily change your life. And it’s just so much fun.

laughlovepeace,
Leigh

Laughter Report: The Ladies at the Jail

Once again, I want to brag about the women in the re-entry program (in transition back to their communities) at the local jail. They are “required” to laugh with me twice a week. Each laughter class lasts for about 1.5 hours.

So far, they report decreased anger, moods improving steadily, colds and irksome illnesses decreased (we saw one disappear today), relationships with each other strengthened/more “at ease”… and today, a woman with asthma who *had* to use an inhaler for each class, no longer needs it. Even if we’re running around like laughing buffalo. There was a Western theme today.

Now that the woman with asthma no longer needs her inhaler for cardiovascular exercise, she’s been spinning on the bike, doing jumping jacks and other cardio exercise, and generally laughing as hard and as much as she can. She’s lost at least 20 pounds, her inhaler, and her flat affect.

They’ve invited me to come lead LY with their special night with their children. Once again, I’m honored.

I challenge you to regularly volunteer. Give away the parts of you that you cherish – where you find your best or most “formed” gifts. This alone will lift your mood and fill your heart with a little bit of hope (or a big amount of hope). The world needs what you have, especially in these days of external ups and downs. Give it! But don’t forget to drink plenty of fluids. Ha ha!

Happier days ahead,
Leigh