Hybrid laughter

Ten years ago, we wouldn’t have used the expression “hybrid mode” for laughter yoga sessions!

And yet, that’s what’s happening right now with several of the bands I work with.

The hybrid formula comes in handy when one part of the group can’t travel or get together. It is then virtual while the others are physically together.

I’ve found that it requires a bit more concentration! Why is that? Because I’m used to focusing my attention on the people in front of me in the room OR watching my screen when I’m working online.

But to present, demonstrate, do the exercises… while looking at the people in the room AND occasionally looking at the camera to address the “invisible” people? I’d describe that as a bit of a challenge! Why? (There’s that question again!) because I mustn’t neglect anyone.

You’ll say, “But Linda! You can do the self-laugh to laugh at your mistake when it happens!” and you’d be right!

A lesson in life

Yesterday, I was giving a talk/workshop at a conference in Ottawa. The last time I was invited to present to this same group was in 2019, and there were nearly 1,000 registered participants. In my room, there were certainly between 200 and 250 of us. The energy of that group was amazing! And because I had stepped in at short notice to fill in for a speaker who was unable to attend at the last minute, people weren’t at all expecting to do what I made them do! (To this day, I smile at that thought!)

This year, after more than two years of waiting, the organizers concocted an in-person program. I was on the schedule as part of the stress management program. It’s well known that laughter relaxes!

When I arrived, the people in charge of welcoming speakers gave me my “work” material and indicated the room where I would be working. I was also reminded that some of the participants would be in virtual mode – a camera was capturing my presentation so that people at a distance could also participate. No one seemed too disappointed with the number of registrations – less than half as many as in recent years.

It’s not the number that counts

I must admit that I had low expectations as to the number of participants who would come to my presentation, because the technical and serious content offered at the same time seemed very interesting!

So I found myself with some 30 people in my large room, light slightly subdued, two big blinding spotlights in my eyes and a camera directly in front of me.

Despite the fact that “I couldn’t miss it” (the camera), I realized after a few minutes of laughter exercises that I might have “neglected” the participants who were with us online. At least, that was my perception!

It’s a bit like recording a video interview or making a TV show. After a while, it’s as if we forget the camera is pointed at us!

In short, I made sure to include potential participants for the rest of the program by addressing them “as if I were seeing them”.

And we laughed and breathed… Eyes sparkled and participants left the room with smiles on their faces and light hearts. Who was on the line? No idea.

You never know…

As I was chatting with a participant as we were leaving the room, the person who had been assigned to me as my “companion” (whom I called my “guardian angel”) approached us and announced that there were over 300 people in line to participate with us! 300!! That’s even more than the last time I was with this group!

And this morning, I got a message from the chief organizer telling me that she’s been receiving a lot of positive feedback from remote participants!

Conclusion

The hybrid formula works well for all kinds of events and groups.

The day before, I was offering a 30-minute program to an online group and saw several people gathered in the same room in 5 of the images on my screen. I know that for them, it must have been even more contagious to hear (and see) the laughter of their gathered colleagues.

Ah really. I wouldn’t have believed it possible to offer my programs in hybrid mode a few years ago. (Well… yes, I probably would have thought, why not?) And yet, it works just fine!

Suggestion for you

I encourage you to think outside the box. There’s no one way to do things! I see it every day!

Take a different route home tonight! Change something in your usual routine.

Give it a try!

Laughter, joy and health

Linda

p.s. I’m continually being pushed out of my comfort zone at the moment. On the advice of Starlight – my amazing right-hand woman – I’ve started TikTok (lindahahasister). I’ve also started addingshort videos to the School’s YouTube channel. Here’s the latest! Are you laughing with me?