Laughter and More Laughter: Did you know that 10 minutes of good belly laughter will help keep you healthy, happy and whole? It has been documented that just 30 seconds of belly laughter is equivalent to 10 minutes on a rowing machine! You think it is easy to laugh full-out for 30 seconds? Give it a try! It will exercise more muscles than you can imagine. In fact, CLLs like to say that laughter provides a great massage of all your internal organs! Not to mention lowering stress levels and blood pressure, increasing oxygen intake throughout your body (lungs, blood, organs, cells), and releasing feel-good endorphins. Even a smile will release those endorphins so pass it on! Start a smile epidemic today! If you are interested in hosting a Laughter Club, please Contact me. Important: Do not be embarrassed if you have a funny laugh. There is healing in laughter. If you can learn to laugh at your own braying or snorting laughter, and not take others’ laughter personally, you will soon discover that they are laughing with you rather than at you. They cannot stop laughing any more than you can because it is funny, and they are enjoying the laughter! You will also find that laughter breaks down barriers and builds relationships and soon you will have new friends. Groaning: Another way to use the power of your voice is to groan. Groaning on purpose is a wonderful way to release pain, anger and stress. Yes, groaning. Whenever you are feeling less than 100%, whether it be physical, mental, or emotional, try "groaning out your discomfort." Groan like you mean it. Groan out that pain. Groan out that anger, frustration, depression, etc. See and feel the discomfort leaving your body and mind and returning to Mother Earth to be neutralized. Groan until you feel better, usually only a matter of minutes; finish with a sigh. If you're concerned of others hearing, groan while you are in the shower or when you are alone in the car - although do this cautiously as some people have experienced light-headedness although I don't believe this is the norm. The shower is probably the best place and it's a very good way to start your day. You'll be amazed at how much better you will feel and how quickly! After you have groaned out all of your discomfort, fill yourself up with good energy by laughing, toning or singing. Toning: Toning just means making a vowel sound and holding it as long as is comfortable for you. Any or all vowel sounds will do. Toning is often done with the accompaniment of singing bowls. Toning helps to relax you, lift your spirits, and even balance your chakras. It can also be used to release pain, anger and stress in a manner similar to groaning (see above). Singing: Singing naturally uplifts you because it is a form of praise. When we are listening to music we like, we often cannot keep our feet still or our voices quiet. We simply must dance or sing to the music. This is because it creates those wonderful feel-good endorphins which make us feel good. So make a Joyful Noise and keep your endorphins dancing! Language of Light: I love to sing along to the radio or my favorite tunes. However, I also sing my own version of the Language of Light. Yes, there is such a thing (google it). I know two others that speak it and they each have their own unique version. I believe this is because it speaks directly from our heart and, therefore, it does not truly matter what form the sound takes because it is the vibration behind the sound that is important. Have you ever found that words just cannot express your feelings? Have you heard that when you pray it must be from a place of thanksgiving, a place of feeling as though you already have what you are praying for if you truly wish to co-create your desires? Well, I find that when I pray with words, they just do not work for me and I have a very difficult time coming from that place of knowing. And as you know by reading my website, I am not usually short on words! Then I went to tone one day while taking my shower and I found singing notes emerging from my mouth instead! There seemed to be no rhyme or reason to them for they were not words, nor were they notes in any “logical” fashion, but they felt right. And as I sang them, pictures and thoughts of what I wanted to express to God flashed through my mind. So now, I sing my prayers and as I do, I feel that gratitude and love and I know I am in the right place to co-create all of my dreams and desires! I invite you to give it a try. Again, you are not auditioning, so it does not matter if you do not have a “singing voice.” All that matters is if it feels good to you, DO IT! You will find it very powerful. Chanting: There are many forms of chanting. If you listen to CDs of Monks chanting, there are a whole lot of notes in there that take years of practice but are very relaxing and calming to listen to. There is the chanting of words such as “Ohm” used in meditation. In the past I have found that chanting during meditation helped keep me focused and awake. There are also the chanting sounds that Native Americans use dancing around the fire during a ceremony. Nowadays I find myself chanting things like, “hey, ai ya ya, hey, ai ya ya,” when I am releasing certain types of frustration and/or celebrating other feelings. I often accompany this with native dance movements. Of course, my only real experience with these kinds of things is what I have seen on TV so it may have no basis in reality, but it makes me feel good and that is what counts. If you are interested in any of the above healing sounds, I invite you to attend a Circle of Love soon. Check the calendar on the Events page for the next date and time.