While exact numbers are impossible to measure,  we know that children  
laugh much more often than typical adults.  Your LAFF LINES editor
recently began to use a minute of Laughter prior to his stage magic
shows to energize the kids in his audience.   The best thing about this
was that he discovered it energized him too!   
Laughter Yoga Testimonials
THE MAGIC IN A CHILD
LAFF LINES
THE LAUGHTER YOGA NEWSLETTER
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY LAUGHTER YOGA USA
EDITOR:  KHEVIN BARNES
Email:  BellyLaughers@ Aol.com
Whenever we meet new people in our Laughter
Yoga classes,  we are happy to tell them about
the many health benefits of L.Y.  

But even more exciting are the stories they tell
us about how Laughter Yoga has changed their
lives.  This column will feature the stories of
those who have discovered the power of
laughter in their lives.  Send us YOUR story !

As an example,  I recently ran a marathon race
in San Diego.  I discovered that there are some
striking similarities between Laughter Yoga
and running.

That "runners high" you hear about is the result
of endorphins pulsing through the blood
stream.  L.Y. creates those same natural pain
killers.

Most of us don't breathe properly.  We take
shallow breaths that mimic our hectic life style
and the stresses that go with it.  When we
laugh, we are forced to breathe right.  The
same is true for running.  Or walking.  Or any
form of exercise.  The next time you feel a little
"pushed" in your exercise program,  lift your
head up high, let your heart be light.....
              and laugh !
LAUGHTER EXERCISE
OF THE month
This month's featured LY exercise was
created by new LY Leader Lyn Keller of
Fallbrook, California.  She calls it
"Mexican Hat Dance Laughter"

Place both hands on your hips and imagine that
you are wearing a huge Mexican sombrero.
Sing the Mexican Hat Dance song but replace
all the trumpet notes with"ha ha's"  Be sure to
dance around the imaginary hat on the floor !
In case you've forgotten this traditional
Mexican music, just click on the button below.  

You may want to sloooow it down a little.
FEATURED LAUGHTER PRACTITIONER
We salute another Laughter Yoga Teacher
from around the world.
____________________________

What is your name?
My name is Maya Balenz
from Eugene, Oregon.

How did you discover Laughter Yoga?         Maya and Dr. Kataria
I discovered LY through a Spiritual Cinema Circle 30-minute DVD
documentary, "The Laughing Clubs of India", which featured Dr.
Kataria and his marvelous Laughter Yoga groups.

What is the greatest reward you've received from Laughter Yoga?
The greatest rewards I've received from Laughter Yoga came from  
deciding to commit to laughing every day for 20 minutes, and then
deciding to commit to becoming a Laughter Yoga Teleconference call
line host (beginning April 12 of this year), every day.  My greatest thrill  
is becoming part of a greater community of champion laughers (that
includes everyone!), and an ever-expanding feeling of joyful wellbeing
through laughing everyday as much as I can.  I have committed to
laughing on every Laughter Yoga phone call each day, if I am not with
a client.  So, usually, I am laughing with Lynda and Taulere at
7 a.m. PST, on my own call at 8 a.m., on Gaga's call at 9 a.m., and on
Khevin's call at 5 p.m.  That's 80 minutes a day of hilarity and joy.  I
have experienced an oncoming  cold and a g.i. flu both completely
disappear after  being on all 3 morning LY calls.

Where do you practice/lead  Laughter Yoga ?
In addition to hosting the 8 am. LY call daily, I am planning to offer LY
for school teachers,  to offer LY for hospital staff in our two local
hospitals, and in nursing homes.  To date, I have laughed with teachers,
and I have a gig at a retirement community and at Unity church before
June is over.

Your Laughter Yoga goals?
My LY goals are to get everyone ready to laugh, by embodying my
inner 7 year old's joy.  Spreading this Laughter contagion anywhere I
can.  I have given away nearly 30 copies of our call host 20 minute
nonstop laughter CD!

Do you have a website or contact email?
I have a website www.laughteryogaheals.com and email me
at mayab@efn.org.

A favorite Laughter Yoga exercise?
A favorite Laughter Yoga exercise is "Mice Munching Marshmallows
under My Mumu!"

The Interactive newsletter for all who laugh

AUDIO     VIDEO    COMMENTARY     PICTURES  &   WORDS

RATS LAUGH !


Primal mirth is no laughing matter

By David Concar
                
Have you heard the one about the giggling lab rat? Psychologists in the US
claim to have the first credible evidence that animals other than
humans and our close cousins are capable of laughter.

For years, biologists have known that chimpanzees and even some
monkeys produce a panting sound akin to human laughter, but evidence
of mirth among other mammals has been vague and anecdotal.  Jaak
Panksepp and Jeffrey Burgdorf of Bowling Green State University in
Ohio tried to rectify the situation - by tickling rats.

Rats respond to tickling by emitting ultrasonic whistles outside the
range of human hearing.  These rodent chirpings have been detected
before, but most researchers believe they signalled distress or
aggression, or were a prelude to sex.

The researchers found that young rats chirp vigorously during
rough-and-tumble play sessions with each other.  They also chirp more
than their older relatives when they are tickled, which Panksepp says
fits with the idea that children are more ticklish than adults.

Panksepp believes the tickling experiments show that a "primal form of
laughter" evolved well before primates appeared.  He suggests that
rats and primates, especially juveniles, use laughter to distinguish
play from threatening physical interactions.

"We'd be surprised if rats have a sense of humour, but they clearly
have a sense of fun," he says.  
PHEATURED PHOTO
OF THE MONTH
New Laughter Yoga Teachers
Harbin, California 2008

Doctor Bustagut
Gives Advice





Dear Dr. Bustagut,

I love Laughter Yoga, but sometimes I just don’t feel
like laughing.I know you laughter people say “fake it
until you make it”, but what does it mean when I fake it
but never quite make it?  Am I the only one?

Need2laff More


Dear Need2,

The beautiful thing about laughter is that it is just as
unique to each individual as is their finger print.  No
one can possibly laugh all day long !  Think of the
consequences.  Missed meals!   Sore throat!  
Over-developed diaphragm!

No,  laughter requires nothing of us other than a simple
connection with our own child-like playfulness.  
And what if the child doesn't  want to play?  
Treat that child inside you like you would treat any
beautiful young being.  Hold it,  cuddle it,
and above all,  be very, very loving.  Remember to
breathe.  And trust.  Knowing that a real sense of well
being and a deep connection with your playful, loving
self is just around the corner.  Or around the block.  
Or across town.   No matter.  When the time is right,  
laughter will appear.  It always does. It always will.
THIS IS THE FIRST ISSUE OF "LAFF LINES"  
THE LAUGHTER YOGA NEWSLETTER.

MY INTENTION IS TO MAKE THIS A FULLY
INTERACTIVE MONTHLY REPORT WITH LINKS TO
AUDIO, VIDEO AND INTERNATIONAL  L.Y. NEWS.

"INTERACTIVE" MEANS INVOLVING THE LAUGHTER
COMMUNITY.  I HOPE YOU'LL SEND IN YOUR IDEAS,
LINKS, PHOTOS, VIDEOS, THOUGHTS AND ADVICE!

WITH LOVE AND LAUGHTER,   k.b.

BELLYLAUGHERS@AOL.COM
ISSUE # 001
LAUGHTER SOUND BITE
Male "Haw!"

LAUGHTER QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“The human race has only one effective
weapon, and that is laughter”  Mark Twain