Tonight, Leslie Grasa, a worldwide Laughter Yoga leader, laughed her way into our hearts, shared a beautiful shamanic meditation, and got us all smiling & laughing.

Here are a few resources she shared:

• DNRS – Dynamic Neural Retraining System
• Book: Wired for Healing – Remapping the Brain to Recover from Chronic and Mysterious Illnesses
• Laughter yoga club – free sessions

Take aways from the webinar:

• Leslie provided an overview of laughter yoga, explaining that it is an exercise program where participants learn to laugh without needing a reason. Various breathing techniques and movements are incorporated along with laughter to provide health benefits like stress reduction and improved mood.
• Leslie detailed her experience living with muscular dystrophy and chronic Lyme disease. She found laughter yoga and brain retraining techniques helped calm her nervous system and support her physical health. The daily practice has become a transformative tool in managing her conditions.
• Leslie reminisced about past pets who comforted and supported her through medical challenges as a child. She realized one dog would take on her physical pain and became sick. This led her to seek alternative therapies to care for herself and animals energetically.
• Leslie guided us through an animal communication meditation: participants closed their eyes and posed a question to their animal companions, listening for any messages. Leslie encouraged non-judgment of any insights that arose from opening to communication.
• Leslie led the group in clapping, breathing, and various movements paired with laughter. She emphasized laughter’s proven mental and physical health effects from clinical trials. Participants were invited to “fake it till they make it” if not feeling mirth.
• Leslie shared crediting laughter with stabilizing her after a car accident by preventing shock. She guided practicing laughter responses to everyday stresses, believing this trains the brain like martial arts.
• Some participants described animals appearing with messages of support, or reactions like barking or sleeping during the session. Louise was moved by communing with past pets simultaneously.
• Leslie provided options like daily online sessions, videos, and training to become a leader. She offered contact details and enthusiasm for the practice’s impacts on her mental well-being and chronic conditions.

• 00:00 Introduction and laughter yoga overview

• 3:45 Leslie’s journey with chronic illness and laughter yoga

• 7:30 Leslie’s past animal companions and energetic connection

• 12:10 Animal communication meditation

• 18:00 Laughter yoga exercises and benefits 

• 33:46 Applying laughter in difficult situations 

• 43:30 Participant experiences with laughter,  meditation and animals

• 54:15 Resources for continuing laughter yoga practice