Louisville, KY- Louisville Laughter Yoga Wellness Club- 1st Tuesday of Month, 7-8pm, Rainbow Spiritual Education Center, 502-386-9680 For More Information.
Lexington, KY- (Club Currently not Meeting-Stay Tuned) Lexington Laughter Society with Ivan "Z" Newell Network Through Laughter We meet 2ND THURSDAY EVERY MONTH 5:30-6:30pm at BAKER'S 360 on the 15th
Floor of the Chase Building downtown at 201 E. Main. [Admission FREE!) Come
enjoy the city views and de-stress with us! More Classes & Workshops Coming Soon...
What is Laughter Yoga ? (Definition from- www.laughteryoga.org )
Laughter Yoga is a revolutionary idea – simple
and profound. An exercise routine, it is sweeping the world and is a complete well being workout.
The
brainchild of Dr. Madan Kataria, a Physician from Mumbai, India, launched the
first Laughter Club at a Park on March 13, 1995, with merely a handful of
people. Today, it has become a worldwide phenomenon with more than 6000 Social
Laughter Clubs in about 60 countries.
Laughter Yoga
combines Unconditional Laughter with Yogic Breathing (Pranayama). Anyone can
Laugh for No Reason, without relying on humor, jokes or comedy.
Laughter is simulated as exercise in a group; with eye contact and
childlike playfulness, it soon turns into real and contagious laughter. The
concept of Laughter Yoga is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot
differentiate between simulated and natural laughter. One gets the same physiological
and psychological benefits. Frequently, Simulated Laughter turns into Natural Laughter.
Madan Kataria, M.D. (Founder www.laughteryoga.org) & Melanie R. Rudolph, Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher. Mumbai, India.
Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher Training- Chicago, IL- April 2010
The Park in India where Laughter Yoga began in 1995 by Madan Kataria, MD, with 5 people... As of 2010- There are over 6000 Laughter Clubs in 65 Countries...
Thank you so much for bringing Laughter Yoga to Gilda’s Club Louisville. It was a huge success and several people – those who attended the session and those who couldn’t be there -- have asked that we invite you back again. So consider this an open invitation from Gilda’s Club and that you come again. Thanks for the gift of your time and positive energy. Judy B., LCSW, Program Manager, Gilda's Club Louiville- Cancer Support & Wellness Community- March 9, 2010
Many of you may know of laughter yoga but for those of you who don’t- it’s an experience that takes you away from the cares of the day into a state of laughter. In the last meeting I almost wet my pants I laughed so hard and I could not stop. I was so loaded w/endorphins as I left I thought I’d float away. Fred. F., May 2, 2010
I felt great during and after the Laughing Yoga class. You are a great teacher! I enjoyed all the exercises and interacting with other people. It's true that laughter is the best medicine! - Cindy F.
Your enthusiasm for this work is infectious. It is clear you are loving what you are doing, and there is no greater energy for a teacher to carry. - Weda R.
I LOVED the class, even though I am not a laugher usually. I have depression, so this was a help! You are a NATURAL in front of people, - Cheryl M.
I just wanted to say what a brave and wonderful thing it was for you to share your story and evening with us. It was very inspiring and uplifting – a joyful reminder to each of us to live, love and laugh. Thanks so much. - Kitty Z.
Thank you for the exciting class. You did a Great Job! Hard to believe this was your first class. I felt so light and energetic after class. Looking forward to the next class. Namaste, Joni B.
Thanks for the photos - you can tell people really had a good time. Again, you did a fantastic job with the session. Your engaging nature really made it easy for people to feel comfortable in participating! Very good, very good, YES! : )))))). - Kay G.
It was the best investment of an hour of my time that I have made in a long time. I loved your laughter class.You are a natural presenter for the laughter Yoga session. I liked your sensitivity balanced with the rambunctious laughter. I look forward to attending more of your sessions when I can. - Alex M.
Melanie, I had a wonderful time last night. Thanks for hosting such a wonderful workshop. - Bill S.
Thanks so much Melanie, By the end of the hour last night, I noticed how many were rubbing their cheek bones! It's obvious we don't use these muscles enough! I so much enjoyed the laughter yoga and hope I can make it to many more sessions! I thought it was VERY PROFOUND that you had 33 participants. You sure are protected my Dear! You enrich my life greatly. - Kim E.
I LOVE your spirit. You are such a little bundle of complete Divine JOY. What you shared touched me so much I had tears the next morning. It amazes me how each of us can take our life traumas and turn them into gifts for others. You have done this. Your spirit is serving its mission. I, for one, am thankful for that. - Jane S.
I wanted to thank you for a wonderful class at weda’s meditation tues. night- we were all touched and it was such a good feeling what you do. cindy and i are very happy for you and see great things for this thing you do -- come and see us anytime- if you ever get time again! much love and light. Michael F.
You were awesome last weekend! I look forward to experiencing more of your laughing spirit! I so deeply admire who you are and what you are doing. You are a blessing to this world. May your fullest hearts desire blossom in your life like flowers in the springtime. Peace, Harry P.
I enjoyed the class very much. Keep up the good work. All the best to you and blessing, - Heike G.
YOU ARE VERY SPECIAL AND YOU ARE DOING A WONDERFUL SERVICE FOR OTHERS IN YOUR MOTHER'S HONOR. WARMEST REGARDS. LOVE IS ALL AROUND YOU. - SHERYL Y.
Thank you Melanie for such a fun time last wed. night. I had no idea what to expect from "laughter Yoga", I do know it was FUN..!! You are a darling young woman, and I look forward to many more times of Laughter Yoga with you. - Jackie P.
I missed your February 13 initial Yoga Club class. but will be at the next. I also can see you adapting this complementary practice with the elderly in nursing homes...especially with your Gerontology degree and knowledge! I deal with my mother, age 95 on a dementia unit in a nursing home in WV and want to bring you to them.- Jane S.
Since the laughter yoga, every time i feel a bit down..I'm doing your ho ho ha ha :D - Gulsan E.
I think you did a great job even if it was your first class. Overall, I enjoyed doing this course.- Akif E.
My name is Marina M. I am from Stavropol, Russia. I work and study at University of Louisville. Students life is very stressful, especially for foreign student. I was so overwhelmed that it was even hard for me to relax. I was always under stress and pressure. My mind was flooded with thoughts and concerns. Laughter yoga helped me to leave all my problems behind and to feel myself the carefree child. I laughed, I behaved silly, and I was happy...Thank you Melanie. "Laughter is the Best Medicine" "In Russian it will be: "смех - лучшее лекарство!" Marina M. (3/27/08) Country of Origin: Russia
Really enjoyed the laughing yoga session last night. I felt lighter on my feet and very refreshed after yoga. You are a true delight and may your work continue to be blest! Melanie, one can just feel the love that surrounds you that is most likely from your beautiful mother...Blessings on your day & thank you for bringing loving laughter into my life,Sharon N. (3/27/08)
Hi Melanie, I really enjoyed learning about Laughter Yoga.. You are an inspiring, highly qualified, fun instructor. I practice a lot Ho, Ho, Ha, Ha, Ha-ing whenever I’m driving and in the shower, usually ranging from soft to full blast—it helps a lot with deep breathing. Being a senior, I find that laughter is certainly a necessary ingredient to meeting the many challenges we face. Thanks for introducing us to Laughter Yoga! Doris P. (Age 76)
Well, today was my first initial trial, and I had to collect myself in order to write... :DD My sister used to tell me about this laughter yoga session she did over the phone.. Well, I remember watching a segment on the news about it a few years back. Never the less, I was skeptical. I let her talk me into joining the call (being supportive) :DD I was thinking 'hmmm'. So we're on the phone, and everyone's laughing, and I start laughing so much I took the phone away from my ears a couple of times. Then I started wondering if there was really an art to this? I felt really good 'inside' and decided from that moment I would incorporate laughter into my life for the new year. The problem was I didn't have a plan. My 'Someone Who Watches Over Me' allowed the oddest thing to happen. Melanie Rudolph was offering a free session to anyone interested!!! :DD I test drove a session!! Wow!!! I'm sold! :DD.. There really 'is' an art to laughter yoga. On a scale of 1 to 10, I rated my laughter level a 3 before the session. However, after the session, and a few excercises, I rate my laughter level an 8. After a while, I felt as if I'd gone to the gym and did a thousand crunches, but felt really rested and somewhat energized. I am looking forward to seeing the many benefits of laughter yoga!! :DD! I suffer from arthritis, and high blood pressure, (for which I take two types of meds). Seeing laughter yoga in a different light, I can better appreciate laughter now. Tapping into my inner joy, and laugh for a purpose, on purpose! Milissa Y. ( January 23, 2010)
