Laugh Therapy ~ Online Laughter Class
Laughter for the Healing Heart.
A laughter therapy course by Lynn Shaw, author and laugh therapist. If you are
experiencing a health or emotional low, laughter exercises can be an adjunct to a
healthy outlook. Discover how laughter can help reduce symptoms of allergies,
abdominal pain and digestive problems -- to name a few. And help you manage anger
and fear. For those dealing with physical or emotional distress, finding laughter in daily
life can profoundly enhance healing and the quality of life!
[
Learn more ]
[
Course Reviews ]
Laugh Therapy: Fear and Laughter, A Heartbeat Away
By Lynn Shaw, Laughter Therapist
Perhaps the most paralyzing emotion is fear. Its intense, sudden arrival has caused giants to halt. Sometimes you think you'll outgrow fear and no longer need the light on to fall asleep. Then your mind perceives the threat, clarity is clouded, and the adrenalin power surge reminds you that fear, like laughter, is a heartbeat away.
Does fear prevent you from living with a laughing heart?
Your fear of being ridiculed or teased can interfere with experiencing the delightful sounds of your laughter. How many times have you wanted to spontaneously do something for fun but stopped because you became aware of what others would say? How many times have you not taken a risk to change jobs, leave a relationship, write a book, leave the house, drive a car, fly, swim in the ocean, or call a friend who is unhappy with you?
Fear is innate, and healthy fear is necessary to keep you from harm. You intuitively sense a fear situation and when you pay attention, you can protect yourself. When fear gets exacerbated through worry or obsessive thought, it can manifest in panic attacks, compulsive acts, and paralysis of the heart.
My paralysis of the heart comes with major decisions.
Okay, decisions I "think" are major. When I am confronted with my fears of making a change, I call my clearance committee.
This committee is comprised of friends and colleagues whom I call, at random. None of them know when they will be summoned for duty. I used to call 10 people and poll their opinions. I would ruminate for weeks on end about the pros and cons waiting for someone else to make the decision for me. I'm happy to report that I am making progress because during my recent change-making fear process, I only called 4 people!
"Sometimes I find that the best thing that can happen to me is a sharp dose of the thing I have long avoided—and long feared." ~ Paula Rinehart, author of
Strong Women, Soft Hearts
For years I have used Susan Jeffers' title,
Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway,
when I confront a fearful situation. Driving on the interstate in fog, I grip the steering wheel and create my mantra, "Feel the fear and keep driving."
Anger and fear are a part of you. Honoring their presence in your life actually frees you to experience their counterparts-contentment and peace. If you are willing to confront your fears, you will create such a power surge of confidence that
you'll laugh out loud
at what took you so long to face the fear. I encourage you to spend time finding the
tee hee in the fearful frenzied moment. It takes practice, but you can learn how to manage your emotions with a light touch.
Keep laughing,
Lynn Shaw
Copyright © 2006 Lynn Shaw. All rights reserved. If you are interested in publishing this article, please email
.
