Laughter Yoga for
Fitness and Beauty

Beauty, Fitness and Wellness are inseparable. Our emotional , physical and spiritual well-being are all interconnected. By now, most of us know what is “good for us” but we may find it difficult to commit to activities that seem like even more work or stress.

Laughter Yoga is a natural, fun and easy way to move yourself toward wellness in a supportive environment of joy. It will enable you to feel better immediately so you are more empowered to make other positive choices for your wellness.

All sessions include Laughter Exercises which are immensely beneficial and fun. However, the yoga poses, or asanas, Carmela teaches will vary according to the focus of the session.

Asanas that stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system and help in the relaxation response are beneficial for stress management. Matsyasana (Fish Pose) that stimulates the thyroid gland and helps to regulate metabolism is included in the sessions for women with eating disorders. Poses to relax the mouth, jaws and throat and enliven the senses are part of the Chocolate Tasting sessions. Deep breathing is also part of every class, but the intensity of the Pranayama (Breathing Practices) will be selected in keeping with the class. Naddi Suddi (Alternate Nostril Breathing) and Deerga Swasam (Deep Nostril Breathing) are often part of the sessions.

All classes close with All classes have closure with a Deep Relaxation to reduce stress in the entire system, helping to strengthen the immune functions. Carmela's years of practicing meditation and teaching creative visualization as part of her therapy practice enable her to offer highly restorative Visualizations for a healing closing to the classes.

Carmela’s extensive experience and rich background as a therapist, coach, yoga teacher, hospice counselor, caregivers’ support group facilitator and professional workshop leader all contribute to the powerful effectiveness of her customized Laughter Yoga Sessions for Fitness and Beauty. She has studied aromatherapy, expressive arts therapy, dance and energy work for many years and integrates this knowledge into her practice. And her love of parties and quality chocolate comes into play with Laughter Yoga and Chocolate Tasting workshops.

Her range of skills enable her to offer such varied sessions as Laughter Yoga and Conscious Chocolate Tasting workshops for women dealing with emotional eating disorders and Laughter Yoga Spa Days at The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. She teaches in Yoga Studios to serious yoga students and in Day Spa settings for gals concerned with beauty. She also enjoys customizing Laughter Sessions for home and office parties celebrating life transitions, accomplishments, birthdays, beauty and recovery.Individual sessions are also available.

Breathe, Stretch & Laugh Your Way
to Beauty and Wellness Inside and Out

The secret of Laughter Yoga is that our bodies are hardwired with powerful natural reactions to extended hearty laughter releasing a cocktail of healthful hormones and chemicals.

The medically proven benefits include:

• One minute of mirthful laugher is the equivalent of a nine minute cardiac workout on a
  rowing machine.
• Laughter Yoga radically reduces cortisol which is responsible for belly fat that is difficult to shed
  even with the most intense exercise regime.
• Blood & all major organs are fully oxygenated. Great for your skin and your brain.
• Boosted endorphin levels reduce aches, pains & frowns. Looking pretty!
• Blood pressure and pulse rate drop & circulation improves. Calm and Glowing from the inside out!
• Immune, digestive & sexual systems are stimulated. Flowing!
• Stress levels reduced by as much as 75% and that’s a truly beautiful thing!

Menu of Offerings for Fitness and Beauty
and The Good Life

All sessions include Laughter – for it is indeed a natural healer, with many proven benefits. The laughter exercises are varied and customized according to the focus of the session.

• Laughter Yoga for Stress Management Series integrates a “stress buster” flow sequence of basic yoga postures to release tension in the major muscles and inversions to calm the nervous system. Deep breathing focusing on long exhales and a deeply restorative closing meditation complete a very satisfying session with powerful results. This series is offered regularly on Wednesday evenings in Petaluma studio. See schedule.

• Laughter Yoga for Beauty Inside and Out is a popular session which Carmela offers at Fairmont Mission Inn Spa, Beauty Salons and at Women’s Groups in a variety of settings, such as Ease Into the Holidays 2007: A Special Event for Women. In addition to laughter, the sessions include tips for deep yogic breathing, specific yoga postures for skin and release of tension and self-massage techniques for glands, and face, throat. See Schedule Page for classes.

• Laughter Yoga and Chocolate Tasting Chocolate is a Health Food! Treat yourself and your group of friends or colleagues to a memorable and exotic Laughter Yoga Session specially designed to stimulate your taste buds, enhance your sense of smell, and relax your face and throat for a tasting journey.

Carmela will energize your group with deep breathing, stretching and laughter exercises while seated in a business setting, at your home for a party or on the yoga mat in a studio setting. She will then guide you through a systematic Chocolate Tasting featuring ganache French chocolates created by Joseph Richart, Master Chocolatier from Lyon, France. Chocolates offered will include samples from different aromatic families featuring Infusions such as pistachio, lavender, ylang ylang, fennel, verbena, cardamom, chestnut, ginger, clove, mandarin, grapefruit and basil. 1 ½ hours workshop. Fee varies according to setting and number of participants. $12 per person for petite tasting. $22 for all seven aromatics.

• Laughter Yoga Circle Under the Stars and Around the Fire Laughter yoga sessions are held outdoors all over the world. The ancient power of the fire circle greatly enhances a sense of community connection. For many folks, the darkness allows them to shed inhibitions, laugh out loud and howl at the moon. 30 - 45 minutes. $195 & up depending on the size of the group.

• Women's Work is Never Done: New Trend in India

Exclusive Laughter Yoga clubs for ladies is a new concept fast catching on in India. Mrs. Yeshwant Taki from Jogeshwari Laughter Club, Mumbai has started the first special Laughter session for ladies at 6 p.m. every evening.

"Women suffer a lot of stress and tension in their lives. Bringing up kids, many household chores, lack of well-rounded physical exercise routnies and extended family relationships takes its toll on their mental state and may even lead to physical disabilities like osteoporosis, arthritis, excessive joint pain, hypertension, stress and other weakening medical conditions.

As most women find it difficult to go to the Laughter Club in the morning hours due to time constraints and regular house jobs, this new trend to start their own special club in the evening gives them time to relax and lighten up.

“This is a great way for the ladies to exercise and remain fit and healthy both mentally and physically. Laughing together helps them to get rid of their inhibitions and shyness and they open up to each other, says Mrs. Taki. “Laughter clubs gives them the chance of interacting with different people and establishing long lasting friendships,” she adds.

Though the club is still in its initial stages, many women have already experienced the healing powers of laughter. They are more positive in their outlook and find it better to deal with daily irritants."
article from Dr.Kataria's website: www.laughteryoga.org

Video Links (click a link below to view video)
"Videos Courtesy of Dr. Kataria Laughter Yoga".

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Carmela's workshop at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, 2007

P.O. Box 296 Petaluma. California 94953 | contact@carmelacarlyle.com | 707.765.9035