Did you know you can still experience the amazing benefits of unconditional laughter with my online Laughter Yoga workshops?

I’ve had the pleasure of working with many organisations, who are supporting the wellbeing of their employees whilst they are working from home or in new environments following social distancing rules, by facilitating online Laughter Yoga workshops.

Bringing colleagues together through technology and the sharing of unconditional laughter helps to lift spirits and boost morale, build resilience, gain new perspectives and improve communication skills….. And a load of other great physical, emotional and social benefits!

My online workshops last up to 1 hour and are suitable for up to groups of 25 people. I also provide tailored Laughter Yoga Programmes for larger organisations.

Contact me for more details on how Laughter Yoga can support you and your colleagues in these challenging times.

“When we laugh, we change. And when we change, the whole world changes”.

Listen to the wonderfully contagious sound of unconditional laughter below. You could recreate this in your organisation by booking an Online Laughter Yoga Workshop for your colleagues to share laughter together, even when they can’t physically be together. 😊❤️

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This was Mini Mess Maker 2 first attempt at getting out of doing his handwriting tasks today;

‘Mam! I’ve cut myself really badly on a really sharp scissors!’

Mum dives off the toilet, flies down the stairs, gasps, panics and then…… smells ketchup! 🤯🤬

Second attempt;
Mini Mess Maker 2 gags on a piece of banana, makes himself sick and then instantly smiles and says,

‘That means I can’t go to school for 48 hours now!’

Mum shakes her head in dispair and pours another glass of wine 🍷

#homeschooling #cleverkid #minimessmaker2 #loveandlaughter #theroachcoach

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I shared my #passthelaugh idea, and the initiative has quickly been picked up within the laughter community. An amazing video has been made from the initiative and hundreds of laughter professionals all around the world have taken part! Including the Founder of Laughter Yoga, Dr Madan Kataria, who has praised my initiative as a ‘genius idea!’ This has made me very happy, and I’m delighted that so many people are already onboard the idea to share the wonderfully contagious sound of laughter.

But laughing unconditionally isn’t a new thing within the laughter community – the philosophy of Laughter Yoga is to create internal joy so you are not reliant upon external stimuli to bring you happiness. And so unconditional laughter is often used when negative emotions threaten your happiness. It’s a practised skill, but one that is very easy to adopt, and suitable for everyone.

So with this in mind, I wanted to share my initiative of #passthelaugh outside of the laughter community, to give everyone the opportunity to, not only hear other people laugh, but also to experience laughter for themselves – because who knows when someone last laughed?! It may have been a few minutes ago, sometime yesterday, last week maybe, or perhaps there are people out there who cannot remember the last time they laughed. Maybe because they feel they have nothing to laugh for, or because nothing is making them laugh – they don’t find things funny. And that’s where unconditional laughter comes in! It’s about fun, rather than being funny.

Unconditional laughter means you don’t rely on comedy, humour or jokes to make you laugh. Nor do you wait for someone to tickle you! Laughter Yoga teaches you to choose and allow laughter, even when you don’t feel like laughing. In fact, especially when you don’t feel like laughing!

In this video I share with you a simple technique to help you learn to laugh unconditionally – to laugh for no reason if you like (except for the health of it obviously! Because you know laughter is the best medicine, right?!). So practise the exercise by breathing in through your nose, and breathing out through your mouth. And then breath in through your nose, and laugh the breath out through your mouth. All you are doing is making that out breath audible. And making yourself, and others who hear it, feel a whole lot better!

So my challenge to you, is to join my initiative of #passthelaugh by recording a simple ‘Laughie’, nominating someone else to do the same, and posting it on your social media with #passthelaugh. Tag me in (The Roach Coach.Happiness), and let’s fill social media with the positive, infectious sound of laughter, so no-one goes any longer without experiencing laughter in their lives). If you are not on social media but would still like to join in, simply send me your ‘Laughie’ and I will share it from my social media.

And now you know the technique of unconditional laughter, there is no reason for you not to laugh every day, or every time something threatens your joy.

Love & Laughter,

Sian xx

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After much persuading, I managed to convince them that 24 hours in 1 room with Mr Roach, 3 kids and a mum who is already struggling with being confined to a house and garden, let alone 1 room, would likely result in at least 1 murder, so they kindly agreed to a 12 hour room lock in challenge! Seriously, FML! Just when I though lockdown couldn’t get any worse, it goes on steroids and the struggle gets even bigger!

So last night we, all 5 of us, were locked in my bedroom for 12 frigging hours! All 3 Mini Mess Makers were like bottles of pop with Mentos inside! They were more excited about this sleepover challenge than any 5* holiday we’ve ever been on.

They spent the 2 hours before the challenge began packing their suitcases! Gwen made sure she had her leopard print boots, lipstick and perfume to don as soon as she woke up the following morning. Tomos brought with him every pair of socks he owns, complete with his actual sock drawer, 4 football kits and a magnifying glass, and Caio….. Well he packed up his entire bedroom, except for his chest of drawers and bed frame, and decanted it in my bedroom, resulting in the first thing I did upon entering the now packed room, (after gasping and silently mouthing OMFG at the sight of the mountain of shite from all over the house to now be piled in my bedroom) was to stumble over his guitar, fall to my knee and scream out as I landed on something hard, which turned out to be his freaking scooter, hidden under a jungle of teddy bears and fancy dress costumes!

Thankfully Mr Roach Coach remembered to pack us a bottle of wine to go with the tuc shop the kids had set up in the corner of my bedroom, and the array of breakfast cereals for the next morning, and we all ‘squeezed’ into bed to watch a film….. for precisely 80 seconds before Mr Roach Coach declared he felt ‘claustrophobic’ and moved himself to sit on the tiniest of kid’s chairs, which Caio had thankfully packed from the office (along with the hole punch and a family photo – although that detail isn’t relevant to the story, but helps you understand how random my middle child actually is!)

The argument over which film we were to watch lasted slightly less than usual, for only 36 minutes, before Mr Roach Coach jumped up from his tiny chair (which must have reinforced steel legs to not have collapsed by now!) and declared he would choose the film. And so we spent the next hour and a half watching a 20 year old animation about chickens! 🐓 🐓 🐓

40 minutes into the film Gwen decided she couldn’t see the TV properly due to the cereal boxes so jumped out of bed to move the box of Frosties, which all of a sudden had disturbed her view, only to pick it up the wrong way so each crunchy, sugary flake spilled from their box and onto my bedroom carpet. In my haste to limit the mess, I dived out of bed and knocked over Mr Roach Coach’s full glass of wine! As I’m on my knees in my knickers scrubbing the scent of Sauvignon Blanc out of my new bedroom carpet, whilst crunching Frosties with my knees at the same time, I look up to see Mr Roach Coach had steamed up the French doors with his breath and written ‘HELP!’ I was weak with laughter, fell back and crushed an Easter egg with my arse into the aforementioned new carpet!!!

Mr Roach Coach started shouting, the kids started bouncing on the bed again and I could do nothing but laugh as to how different the reality of this challenge was to what we had seen on TV earlier in the day! 🤣🤣

At some point during the night we all feel asleep in random positions across the room and awoke this morning to the sound of china bowls being filled with cereals by our golden hearted Gweni, who wanted to prepare breakfast for us all to thank us for doing the challenge. 🥰 And I have to say, it was the nicest bowl of Frosties and fluff with warm curdled milk I have ever tasted!

Thanks to the absolute carnage, that is often the reality of our family life, this challenge will probably be our most memorable night of lockdown. Utter freaking chaos but in a room full of love (…..and Caio’s random shite!) ❤️😊

#jugglinglifekidsandambition #loveandlaugter #the12hourroomchallenge #realityvtv #keepingitreal #theroachcoach

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Yesterday I managed to shower, change my pyjamas and fall asleep during an afternoon film with the kids. We ate Rustlers because I couldn’t face the drama of arguing over meals that at least 1 Mini Mess Maker will all of a sudden ‘hate’. The kids took a spoon each and helped themselves to dessert straight from the ice cream tub, and for most of the night I slept on a towel after Mini Mess Maker 3 climbed into my bed and p155ed all over me and my newly cleaned sheets, and I didn’t have the energy or inclination to change the bed.

No two days are ever the same for me at the moment. As a family of 5 someone in the house is always crying (mostly me!). We miss our extended family and friends, the kids miss their school and clubs and going to the beach and their 3 times daily visits to Greggs….Oh no, that’s me! 😜 The reality of what is happening right now catches us all at different times throughout each day and our emotions are displayed through tears, tantrums, energetic play, laughter, isolation, or drinking wine until we eventually fall asleep!

These are new times for all of us, and for all of you. So take one day at a time. Not every day will be a good day, but there will be good in every day if you look close enough. Take the time to reflect each evening on your day and think about the things you want to change to make tomorrow a better day for you. I, for example, have made sure Mini Mess Maker 3 has had a wee before bed tonight! 😂

Whether you felt like a superhero or a super disaster today, you still showed up and that’s all that matters. You are doing great. We all are. And we will get through it, some days wearing our capes, and some days hiding under our capes.

Sending you all love, strength and laughter. ❤️😊

#onedayatatime #youaresuper #loveandlaughter #andstrength #theroachcoach

The post 🤹🏻‍♀️ Juggling Life, Kids & Ambition…… And Taking One Day At A Time 🤹‍♂️ appeared first on The Roach Coach.

#happiness #internationaldayofhappiness #dogoodbehappy #loveandlaughter #laughteryogainwales #laughtercoachinginwales #theroachcoach ❤️😊

The post Do Good, Be Happy appeared first on The Roach Coach.

Keep well, keep laughing ❤️😊

#laughteristhebestmedicine #laughforthehealthofit #laughteryogainwales #laughtercalls #laughtercoaching #theroachcoach

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It’s also timely that I share this post again, with the current health concerns around the world, as it reiterates the positive effects laughter has on the immune system.

Boost your immune system today, and every day, with hearty laughter. Yes, laughter is usually easier and lasts longer when we laugh with others. But laughter is within us all so we can laugh alone and get the same great health benefits. And don’t forget, successful telephone and Skype laughter sessions are also a thing. 😉

Stay healthy. Keep laughing. ❤️😊

Initial post: The Roach Coach – Executive, Life & Laughter Coaching 12 March 2019 · 

Yesterday I had the opportunity of sharing laughter at a residential care home in West Wales. This was a new home for me and the first time the staff and residents had experienced Laughter Yoga.

As is common with Laughter Yoga, the manager of the home was sceptical 🤨 about the concept and the impact it would have on the residents, especially as all 8 of the residents that attended were affected by varying degrees of dementia.

Fast forward 1 enjoyable hour later and the manager was delighted with how the session engaged, stimulated and lifted the spirits of everyone in the group! ❤️😊

So why was the session so successful?

Well, research suggests that an individual with dementia can go through similar cognitive stages as a growing child. The need to participate in activities and games to keep the brain active for growing children also applies to adults, including people affected by dementia. When a person with dementia finds that their mental abilities are declining, they often feel vulnerable and helpless, so it’s important to help them retain their feelings of self-worth through providing them with activities. The activity, stimulation and a sense of accomplishment can be beneficial and therapeutic.

Laughter Yoga promotes playfulness through gentle physical exercise. The exercises I specifically facilitate for seniors often stimulate fond memories and familiar skills.❤️ The exercises also encourage hand to eye co-ordination, concentration, stress relief, tactile awareness and social skills. And of course, laughter in itself has many physical, emotional and social benefits including:

😊 Eases anxiety and fear, activates happy feelings
😊Heart disease prevention
😊Increases and improves social interactions, bonding
😊Lowers stress hormones
😊Lowers blood sugar levels
😊Opens inner cellular pharmacy, strengthens all immune functions
😊Opens lungs, ventilates spirit

And let’s not forget the impact that the mood of the caregiver can have on the person with dementia. And so laughter helps caregivers by:
😊Allowing them to enjoy the moment. (Laughing is fun)
😊Easing tension and lightening the mood
😊Breaking the cycle of psychological negativity
😊Relieving stress
😊Promoting mental health
😊Providing a simple and valid form of cardio-vascular exercise
😊Strengthening family relationships
😊Strengthening the immune system so caregivers can stay healthy

And the lovely staff at the care home yesterday fully participated with their residents in my Laughter Yoga session, so the benefits of laughter were wide spread. ❤️

So whilst laughter yoga is, sadly, not a cure for mental or cognitive impairment diseases, it does have much to offer on multiple levels to help both the patients and their caregivers. ❤️😊

If you are a caregiver to someone with a mental or cognitive impairment disease, feel free to message me to discuss how Laughter Yoga may help you and your patient(s).

#laughteryoga #dementia #laughteryogaincare #wellbeing #happiness #theroachcoach

(📷 credit: NurseBuddy. Research published on Countrywide healthcare and Laughter University)

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And these ladies didn’t just sit and watch me do all the work! They actively and eagerly participated throughout the 1-hour session. 😍

They sang and danced, stretched, tapped and clapped. They passed smiles and laughter around the room as they greeted each other. They met chuckle ball and laughed as he made them shake with his bouncy vibration. They laughed as they wagged their fingers at each other to practise turning bad moods into laughter. They laughed after they had picked flowers which made them sneeze. They went on a laughter bike ride and regaled stories of their younger years when they rode their bicycles often. And they went on a roller coaster…. and boy did they laugh! 😍

All this fun was had whilst expanding their lungs, clearing them of residual air and increasing the oxygen in their bodies to help their brains perform better. They tapped away tension and laughed away stresses. They strengthened their friendships through sharing memories that were prompted by the laughter exercises. They did physical movements to keep muscles active. And they gave their internal organs a good cardio workout by laughing from the diaphragm. And then they enjoyed a well deserved rest through a guided relaxation. 😌

And after that, when my laughter yoga session was over, they sat in the room with smiles on their faces, feeling joyful, connected and relaxed. And then we ate cake, drank tea and laughed a bit more through general conversation. Because that’s what happens when you learn to laugh unconditionally, natural laughter comes more freely. Conversations are easier. And the cake….. well the laughter exercises made the cake almost guilt free 😉😊

If you know a senior that would like more laughter in their life, do get in touch with me. And you too can bring more laughter into your life – you don’t have to wait until you’re 91 to experience this joy 😂 – learn to laugh with ease now through laughter yoga or laughter coaching with The Roach Coach. Message me for more details. ❤️😊

#laughteryoga #laughteryogainwales #laughteryogaincare #laughteryogaforseniors #laughtercoaching #loveandlaughter #1094 #theroachcoach

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