Pau: I tested laughter yoga for you

The session took place in Beaumont Park, on a sunny late afternoon. Sitting on the grass and equipped with their yoga mats, Véronique and Jo welcomed a dozen participants.

“We’re going to play at laughing, laughing for nothing…

The session took place in Beaumont Park, on a sunny late afternoon. Sitting on the grass and equipped with their yoga mats, Véronique and Jo welcomed a dozen participants.

“We are going to play at laughing, laughing for nothing! Babies know how to laugh before they know how to speak. It’s this baby’s laughter that we’re going to get” warns Véronique.

We formed a circle, the time of the first indications on the session: “We will alternate between laughter exercises and yoga breathing”. But before that: warm up!

For that, we raise our arms, we stop thinking and let ourselves be carried away by the music that comes out of Véronique’s enclosure. “Look at yourself, it’s a collective experience”, chants Jo. On the side, a “bar” is at our disposal: a square of fabric, fruit juice and glasses. Laughter can hurt your throat, especially since the session lasts an hour. So when you want, you can go and help yourself.

Use vowels

After the warm-up, and before really getting into the heart of the matter, there is still a small detail to be settled. A code must be established which will mark the end of each exercise. It will be a simple rhythm, made up of vowels, which we will pronounce by clapping our hands. Let us pause a little on these vowels. It is from a “ha” a “hey” a “hi” a “ho” or a “hu” that laughter is triggered. It’s up to you to find out what suits you best…

It’s time for the first laughter exercise! Jo overcomes our apprehension by embarking on a story to which she gradually incorporates laughter. Imagine that you brush your teeth, and that on your toothbrush you apply a toothpaste… full of laughter. Looking at each other, and while miming the gesture of brushing our teeth, we all laugh. No matter the world around, “you have to let go! “.

The story continues, and at every step we laugh. But from time to time, a break is necessary. It’s Véronique who takes over and makes us breathe and breathe. The experience is disconcerting, it must be admitted. But once inside, the laughter eventually comes on its own. To the point where Jo ends the session with a giggle. She is unstoppable!

Laugh for your health

But you have to calm down before you leave. We lie down on the yoga mats, which we had abandoned for the duration of the session. The relaxation session is unfortunately cut short by the arrival of the rain, which nevertheless brings a little freshness. We get up and then share our impressions of the session: “I was more comfortable with the ha! says Nadia. Comments abound: “I think it unlocked something in my esophagus”… and answer “Me, it’s the jaw, I wanted to yawn!” “.

It must be said that laughter has many health benefits. The brain cannot tell the difference between provoked laughter and sincere laughter. So might as well have fun if it’s to sleep better, improve your immune system or be less stressed.

Véronique and Jo are both masseuses. They trained together in laughter yoga. Jo has made a professional retraining: “Since then everything has been fine! I didn’t want to stay in an office until retirement. »

Information: Véronique