...ues.

2.Laughter helps to relieve stress and decreases stress hormones in the body such as cortisol and adrenaline.

3.Laughter strengthens the immune system.

4.When we laugh our bodies release hormones and chemicals that have positive effects on our system. One of these chemicals is endorphins, the feel-good hormone. Because laughter increases the level of endorphins in the body, it's a natural pain killer.

5.One minute of laughing burns the same number of calories as 6 to 10 minutes on a treadmill. So go ahead and laugh off those extra pounds. In addition, laughter is gentle exercise. It fills your lungs and body with oxygen, deep-clears your breathing passages and exercises your lungs.

6.Laughing raises your mood; joyfulness through laughter is the fastest way to create a positive state of mind. Laughter also helps to combat depression.

7.Laughing is good for the heart and improves blood circulation.

8.Laughter is anti-aging! It tones facial muscles and increases blood supply to the face, which nourishes the skin and gives it a healthy glow.

9.Internal organs are stimulated when you laugh which enhances efficiency of vital organs and improves digestion and bowel movement.

10.Because laughter increases the secretion of endorphins, it can help reduce cravings for chocolate and other comfort foods.

Laughter Yoga Sessions

The sessions do not use humor to invoke laughter; you won't find people sitting in a circle taking turns telling jokes or using humor to make each other laugh. Instead, a Laughter Yoga session consists of a series of exercises which include simulated laughter, yoga techniques, funny gestures, systematic giggling and guffawing, and improv-like activities. You don't have to be happy...more

How to Shift Gears, Change Careers, and Become a Yoga Teacher, Part 2

...senior centers, ashrams, or Yoga studios.

Some Yoga teachers have home businesses. You may decide to open a small studio in your barn, loft, back yard, garage, den, or a separate building on your property. This is not for everyone and does have a few drawbacks.

Some Yoga teachers may not want to give their students the run of the house. Also, some female teachers may feel uncomfortable with male students in their homes. Think about this scenario: When you have a home business, it is hard to separate business time from personal time.

Lets say you decided to take Memorial Day off. Memorial Day is always celebrated on a...more

Yoga and Ethics

...veness (aparigraha). Niyama also has five and they are: purity or cleanliness (shaucha), contentment (santosha), austerity (tapah), self-study leading to the knowledge of the Self (svaadhyaaya), and complete surrender to God (Ishwar-pranidhaan).

It may be seen that the elements included in these two components define the traits of character that constitute ethical behavior in modern civilized societies. The practice of these elements has the common purpose of character building in the person starting yoga training. However, there is a subtle difference in the nature of practices involved under each component. Those under yama are moral and prohibitive in nature, while those under niyama are constructive and disciplinary in nature. Yama lays down the foundations of an ethical life and niyama helps the pract...more

Calm Comes Full Circle - How Meditation Enhances Yoga, and Vice Versa

...Meditation and yoga go together like peanut butter and jelly! Yoga is an active, physical way to prepare the mind for meditation. Meditation relaxes the mind and body, preparing them for the physical demands of yoga. Together they form a circular relaxation technique that can renew the mind, body and spirit like nothing else.

Getting the most out of your yoga routine

To get the most out of your yoga routine, take a few minutes and meditate to center yourself before you begin. If you're new to yoga,...more

Yoga 3a Music To Relax Body And Mind