The 'Gine Hole

It has been far too long....

I have finally recovered somewhat from my bouts of summer time alcoholism (some what).
My back....continues to cause me pain as I await the results from the MRI I had last week...I wonder if waking up in pain every morning is a glimpse at my own future? Ah well. It's certainly MUCH better than it was over the summer.

Currently - I am in REGINA....which we've taken to calling "The 'Gine Hole". Bruce, Waylen Miki, and I are here as guests of Hectik Theatre who are presenting "This Is Cancer" to scads of Regina public. The show is going well. Bruce continues to change the world 15 - 25 people at a time (and though that sounds like small numbers - it's enough for us when we speak to Cancer survivors after every show who thank us for the laughs. It makes it all worth while.)

As part of our visit, we were asked to participate on a panel to discuss "healing through humour".....and we ended up meeting a lovely lady named Jayne who runs the Laughter Clubs of Regina. Yup. You read that right: Laughter Clubs.

So.

Last night we bundled up and made our way to the Laughter Club for some Laugh Yoga.

Crazy.

It's something that should be tried at least once. For the most part, many of the exercises were reminicent of many I've done in Voice Classes through the years - warming up the resonators, opening up the chest, etc....The REAL reason for going to laugh club is merely to watch all the wonderful Grandmas laughing their asses off! That was enough to get Bruce and I giggling. These ladies are having a GREAT time and it's a delight to see. Bruce made the comment as we were leaving, "Imagine some who was born in 1930 coming around to the idea of Laugh Yoga and going for it 100%. That is true open- mindedness and a willingness to try something new, and outside the box!"

I concur!

Jayne told us at the beginning of class that, on average, children laugh 400 times per day, while adults laugh only 12 - 15 times per day. While this may be true for the average grown-up, I have always known that I am blessed to feel that I'm living in a sit-com most days. I laugh a LOT - and I feel very, very lucky. Laugh Yoga did get some real laughs out of me, and true enjoyment....but in the end, I realise that the laughs I have everyday with my friends are more satisfying than anything else I can simulate. The theory behind Laugh Yoga is that your body can't tell the difference between "faked laughter" and genuine...so you experience a rush of endorphines and stress relief regardless....

Who am I to argue with science?

Laugh Yoga was weird and silly and fun. It got my heart rate up, I even sweat a bit....But it left me missing my buddies, many of whom are scattered to the four corners these days....

Albert.
Derek.
EJ.
Roman.
Enid Rae.
Carmen.
JB.
Shaker.
Krusty.
Limey.
Renee.
Graeme.
Little Sister Chris.
Jamie. & 'Lis
Sweet Fee.

Thoughts of you are the best Laugh Yoga a gal could ask for!

xo