Strategic laughter: humanizing leadership without losing authority

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Yesterday, I had the privilege of hosting a conference for SME managers entitled: Strategic laughter: humanizing leadership without losing authority.

The 2026 symposium was held at Université Laval.

In the room, a hundred or so committed, responsible leaders, used to carrying a lot on their shoulders. And for a few moments… they laughed. Really laughed.

Not to trivialize their responsibilities. Not to avoid the stakes. But to experience first-hand that it’s possible to be serious about one’s role… without taking oneself too seriously.

They felt their shoulders relax. The energy changed. The connection opened.

Above all, they realized that laughter doesn’t take anything away from authority. It adds humanity.

I’ve seen eyes shine, smiles settle and grown-ups become more serene.

And science confirms it:

  • Laughter reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) and activates the production of endorphins.
  • Teams that share moments of laughter develop greater trust and cohesion.
  • A positive climate enhances creativity and the ability to solve complex problems.
  • Leaders perceived as warm and competent generate more commitment than those who rely solely on authority.

In a professional world under constant pressure, humanizing leadership is no longer a luxury. It’s a strategy.

✨ What if your leaders experienced it?

My corporate conferences combine neuroscience, emotional intelligence and laughter yoga to create transformative, concrete experiences adapted to organizational realities.

👉 Write to me to discuss your next event, strategic retreat or management meeting.

Because you can aim for excellence… without losing your joy.

With confidence and enthusiasm, Linda 💛

Interview with Josélito Michaud – Transcript

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J.M.

Today, basically, it’s a theme show about laughter, because I think we don’t laugh enough. And I’m not the only one who’s convinced of that. Sometimes, I’m in a restaurant with friends, and we start laughing, and I hear myself go, “Rich my God! We should laugh out loud more often. Often when we’re on the air with Caroline Proulx, we’re laughing, but we’re laughing. Now I’m getting in the car. I’m still laughing! Because I’m laughing and I say to myself, it’s true that it releases endorphins, which go into the brain and create happiness. In fact, it’s the happiness hormone. And then it was at the Salon du Livre, a year ago, to present one of my books.

There was this author I really like. Linda Leclerc, yoga of laughter, and I said to myself What an extraordinary phenomenon! But hello Linda,

L.L.

Hello

J.M.

you are the co-author. Do people take you seriously when you say that laughter is something you’ve even said in your own life? You want to laugh for at least thirty-five to forty minutes a day, but it’s not always possible, and then one day you have a major car accident.

And you’re saying, I’ve got to take charge of my life. I have to laugh. I have to have fun because otherwise it’s going to go by too fast and I might die before then.

L.L.

But then I discovered that I’d stopped laughing. A bit like you, what you’re saying… bursts of laughter. We all laugh a little. But good, free laughter that feels good, there was more of it. That was the day I said to myself. I’ve got to do something about this. That’s when I discovered laughter yoga.

J.M.

It’s been around for twenty years elsewhere. You’ve been working on it here in Quebec for over 10 years. Yes, what does that mean?

Because the image you get when you do yoga isn’t laughter?

LL.

No,

JM

Because when I do yoga

LL

It’s serious, it’s zen. It’s quiet

JM

in the funny position, sometimes, when you’re good at it – I’m not. that’s true, but how do you get a laugh out of yoga?

LL

But that’s what laughter yoga is called, because we combine yogic breathing with laughter exercises.

So that’s why. The yoga part is that it comes from India, and in India, yoga is taken very seriously. So when we do yoga exercises, our breathing is very, very important. Stretching,

JM

That’s the question.

LL

But you breathe a lot when you laugh. yes, you can breathe, you breathe a lot when you laugh because when you’re stressed, I could hear you all a bit – it’s gogogo, you don’t breathe at that moment, you stop breathing,

JM

We stop breathing at 2 minutes to 10. Well, breathing, no, but it’s true, it’s true that we often forget what’s essential. Sometimes I see an acupuncturist. He always says. The most important thing is to breathe.

LL

Yes, because we can’t live without breathing. And when we laugh, that’s exactly what we’re doing HAHAHAHA! so our inspiration really changes

JM

and it’s contagious, Linda, because it’s what your operation is all about. As I was saying earlier, you have to be taken seriously, it takes time, do we agree?

Yes, because people think it’s all a bit of fun, no pun intended,

LL

What we don’t realize is just how beneficial laughter is to our physical health, but to our mental health too,

JM

is that it creates oxygen. It opens up all the possibilities.

LL

All our physical systems are activated. The cardiac system, the respiratory system, the lymphatic system, even the lymph starts to circulate more rapidly, our digestive system, because it massages the internal organs… the parasympathetic working. It’s really extraordinary what happens in our bodies when we laugh.

JM

Then I hear Linda Leclerc, author of the book Laughter Yoga. I’m sorry, I’m hearing questions, people telling me right now that there’s nothing funny about me. I’m going through cancer right now, I’m a single parent. I’m picking up my kid tonight, I’m in traffic eighteen hours a week and I can count a lot of them, very hard to laugh. La

LL

but I too have to deal with difficult things. But what I do is use the exercise of laughter to enable me, firstly, to put some distance between myself and what’s going on, to play things down and keep breathing. Because life goes on, even if things happen to us. Earlier, I heard Mike Ward say in his interview Some people find it funny. Some people don’t find it funny. That’s because it’s the sense of humour that makes this funny to me, but not to others. But in laughter yoga, we don’t use our sense of humour. We do it like a physical exercise. In fact, it’s almost like a sport. When you practice stationary cycling, you don’t get anywhere with it.

JM

When you look at this book, you get a better understanding of what you’re talking about, because there’s a way of doing things. You understand it very well at the end of the book, when you’ve finished it, you find it fascinating. Finally, it’s accessible to me,

LL

Yes, because it’s accessible to everyone, even people who are bedridden, people with disabilities, whatever, whatever is going on in our lives.

We can use laughter to free ourselves, to free our worries, to make ourselves feel better, to be better company too because I’m just now, I’m walking and I realized that I was hahahaha!

JM

Is that a good laugh?

LL

I start laughing, then all of a sudden it’s (real laughter). Then the people I pass look at me, I see that so people looked at me and returned my smile,

JM

but there’s also laughter, Linda Leclerc, co-author of the book, There’s also nervous laughter. And when you start laughing, your body is indisposed. We laugh. In fact, I’m not sure I feel like laughing. I don’t understand, I’m laughing right now. How do you get the thing to expand a little?

LL

I think we just decided to do it. Some days my laughter is more forced than others. But that’s okay! My body doesn’t know the difference between me laughing for real or pretending it’s really funny. So it’s all laughter. Is that what you’re saying? I injured myself recently and the physio was working on something. I burst out laughing, but he says, “It’s the first time I’ve seen someone laugh rather than cry,” but that was my reflex. I wanted to breathe, I wanted to release my fright, my pain. I started laughing.

JM

How do you tell the difference between a real laugh and a giggle?

LL

Does it matter? (laughs)

JM

how long should I laugh every day?

LL

They say you should laugh twelve to fifteen minutes a day. We’ll see all the benefits – at least. If you’re already laughing for three to five minutes, that’s great,

JM

I’m asking you questions that are asked all the time. Do you feel a difference in your life since you stopped laughing?

LL

Ah, completely. Yes, completely. I feel I’m better company, I don’t stay angry as long. Things affect me, but I’m not as much a prisoner of that as I used to be. I just have more fun in life in general, I laugh more than I used to.

JM

One thing’s for sure. May 3 was World Laughter Day. Did you laugh? Three and a quarter minutes to go?

LL

Ah yes, we certainly laughed for almost an hour.

JM

because you’re doing workshops with people and that’s what’s interesting. You can get all the information on the blog too, yoga du rire, dot com. And that’s where you can get a lot of information. Because there are lots of questions you’re constantly asked. We can follow your activities, and then sign up because it’s become an important thing in Quebec over the last ten years.

LL

We train people. We train animators, teachers, there are all kinds of tools. We need them, especially now. Why shouldn’t we use them? It’s free when you do.

JM

Of course, it’s a bit difficult to say “austerity” and “laughter” in the same sentence.

LL

Well austeriiiiii (laughs)

JM

Corinne as her surname is known?

LL

Corinne Cosseron, my French colleague

JM

and Linda. That’s why Linda Leclerc, le Yoga du rire came to Guy Trédaniel éditeur.

Thank you very much, because it’s very special because tomorrow, Sunday at 7:30 p.m., is the Olivier gala, a tribute to these great local comedians. Thank you Linda,

LL

thank you very much,

JM

thank you.

My TOP 10 laughter yoga exercises 1

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Yes, I admit it. I have favorite exercises!

Because it’s all very well to practice and train, but I definitely have my favorites among the hundreds of possible exercises.

Some quickly trigger my natural laughter, while for others, I “pedal” harder and it’s clear that I’m doing the mechanics of the exercise. Just to “keep myself going” in the motion.

Over the years, I’ve noticed that certain exercises amuse me and make me laugh. However, it doesn’t matter whether I’m just physically laughing and pushing myself a little harder, or whether I’m feeling my laughter welling up from my heart, I feel good. Action leads to emotion anyway.

Often during the practical part of my lectures, I hear people say “Ah that one I liked!”

Imagine that I too have my favorites. But no! I don’t like them all! HAHAHA! Far from it (those who come to the regular meetings of the Gatineau Laughter Club have been able to see this for themselves over the past 20 years!)

Today I’m sharing my TOP 10 laughter yoga exercises. You’ll thank me later!

I’m going to count down.

My favorites

10. The witch’s laugh – I find this one easy to do and it amuses me! Rub your hands together with facial expressions and laugh like a wicked witch.

9. Laugh while you wash your hands – the best way to combine two essential things! Wash your hands while laughing for at least 15 to 20 seconds.

8. Mental floss laughter – you can also do this by flossing your teeth! But for this one, we pass the floss between our ears to eliminate thoughts that might be causing trouble.

7. Cold engine laughter – just like winter! Turn the key once, twice, and the third time is the charm, because the laughter has started.

6. Cocktail (or milk shake) laughter – Mix the imaginary contents of the glass in your right hand with the contents of the glass in your left. Then reverse, from left to right. Then “drink” while laughing.

5. Laughing at crying – Sometimes this is the only way I can remember to change my perspective on events. We bend our bodies as we “cry” and straighten up as we laugh.

4. Cell phone laughter – This one’s so handy! Put your device on “do not disturb” or turn it off and pretend someone is telling you something very funny.

3. Laughing at yourself – Done every day! Laugh at your mistakes with your index finger pointing at yourself, and laugh at your successes with your thumbs pointing at yourself.

2. The lion’s laugh – My heavy artillery! Best exercise for relaxing the jaws. Place your hands on either side of your head, fingers slightly apart. Open mouth wide. Stick your tongue out (really far out) and laugh in this position for a few seconds.

and finally number 1…

Drum roll!

1. Silent laughter – This one always makes me laugh!

Voilà!

Which are your favourites?

Among the arsenal of exercises created around the world, is there one or more that will trigger your natural laughter in the blink of an eye?

Have you put on the really big laugh, the mini laugh, the curling laugh, the migratory bird laugh, the laughing lotus, the lawnmower laugh, the hot soup laugh, the appreciation laugh, the magic finger laugh…

So many of them!

Do you know why there are so many of them?

Because they say that when we laugh, the right side of the brain is activated. Yes! The side of creativity and imagination.

So the more we laugh, the more opportunities we find to laugh!

You’ve seen it all!

So the next time you’re short of ideas for laughter during the day, I invite you to pick from this list. Or choose some from the videos. Put one, two or all of these exercises into practice and enjoy the many benefits of intentional laughter.

My TOP 10 is on top of my toolbox.

When things aren’t going so well, I pull out one or more and put them into practice. It certainly helps me, and I’m much better for it. And so do the people around me! HAHAHA!

Come on.

Shall we do it?

Let’s do it!

Laughter, joy and health

Linda

 

 

 

Celebrate 5K subscribers!

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The Laughter Yoga School YouTube channel passed the 5K subscribers mark a few weeks ago!

5,000 people have subscribed to our videos and inspirational messages. It’s amazing!

When I talk about the spreading effect of laughter, imagine how 5,000 people infected by the laughter virus can spread joy and good humour around them!

Over the past few weeks too, you may have noticed that we’ve been adding short videos – as short as a minute! These are the videos you’ll find on TikTok. If you watch this video, I’ll explain what I do on this platform. And how it takes me out of my comfort zone!

But that’s not the point.

What gives me the greatest pleasure is reading the comments of people who have watched the videos. To receive e-mails from all over the world. To read that the videos, messages and reflections I’ve shared with you have done good, helped you get through difficult times and overcome trials with a slightly lighter heart. And that’s my reward!

Would you like me to make a special video or one on a particular theme? Write to me and let me know.

And in the meantime, I’m allowing myself a lighter schedule for the next few weeks. So that I can build up momentum for the year ahead, catch my breath and get my energy back to smiling (not that the energy I have right now isn’t smiling. But it’s always good to clear the air and fill up! And it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to do that!)

I will read your messages with interest and reply as soon as possible.

And I wish us good weather to play outside, rain to relax indoors and make the flowers grow (and to fill up the freshwater basins that need it), music to make us dance, meetings to make us share and exchange… and lots of laughter for everything!

Laughter, joy and health

Linda

Hybrid laughter

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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?

 

 

Don’t feel like laughing?

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Not in the mood to laugh?

I know what you mean. You’re not alone.

It happens to me too, imagine that!

My observation

I’ve noticed something. It seems that the less we laugh, the less we want to do it.

“Nah… it’s not funny… Nah… I’m not in the mood to laugh…”

I was visiting my parents last week and spent some time watching TV with them. On three separate occasions, while watching their TV shows, I found myself saying out loud, “I can’t take this stress or helplessness or anger anymore! And it’s not even REAL what’s causing these emotions so I’m going to read while you watch your show.”

I realized I wasn’t breathing. My jaws were clenched. Sometimes I felt angry, sometimes powerless before the injustices suffered by the characters (racism, mistreatment), and these emotions overwhelmed me as I watched a FICTION.

The news and newspapers put in our faces very real situations that provoke these same emotions – and we’re not sure what will happen “in real life”. It’s worth worrying about for real!

It’s hard enough these days to find the “taste” for laughter. Even when I’m in training, I sometimes find it hard.

What can I do, Doctor?

Ah, the big question!

If I were a doctor, this is what I would prescribe to people who asked me this question.

  1. Turn off the TV!
  2. Get some fresh air and get moving.
  3. Do something that makes you feel good (in my case, I knit, cook and draw!).
  4. Call someone who makes you laugh.
  5. Eat healthy foods.
  6. Do cardiac coherence exercises (I have an EXCELLENT App to help me do this RESPIRELAX+)
  7. Get out your comics and read them before you go to bed (public libraries are there for you!). Personally, I love Calvin & Hobbes, Lucky Luke, Achille Talon)
  8. Subscribe to smiling podcasts. For example, L’Élément JOIE (on all distribution platforms)
  9. LAUGH MORE!!! Try laughing ONE MINUTE several times a day. ONE MINUTE EACH TIME. AT LEAST! (and for that too I have an EXCELLENT App to help me Apple and Google

And if you need a little help getting there, theUrgence Rire team is always on hand, 7 days a week! Enjoy it while we’re still here for you. And it’s free!

Print the prescription. Put it in plain sight so you don’t forget. And above all, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

Well, I’m off for a walk.

GO on the move!

GO!

Linda

Come on, I’ll put the little visual here too. Just to help you.

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Not yet?!!!

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Ah la la…

We’ve been on the edge of our seats since this morning, trying to find the loophole that allowed us to send a message to you, our subscribers… I have to admit that I’m far from laughing at this situation (I’m breathing slowly, it’s the best I can do!) and we’re working hard to sort it out.

Don’t worry! No one on the team is writing “adult” stuff in a foreign language!

We apologize and ask you to help us by laughing it all off for us… Even if we can’t see you, we’ll still feel the energy and be able to breathe!

Beautiful end of day

Linda and the Laughter Yoga School team

A trip into the past… it’s an emotional experience!

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Phew! I’ve been traveling in the past for three days.
Going through my archives, both documents and photos. I see things that make me happy. Things that make me laugh. Things that make me melancholy. And still others that make me cry. It’s all necessary!
My observation at the moment is that we often have a selective memory. We don’t remember all the things we’ve accomplished that make us proud, nor the failures, setbacks, heartbreaks and unhappy friendships. And yet, it’s really important.
I was recently doing a positive psychology course with William Herremy and I was trying to remember my childhood dreams. I should have cleaned out my boxes before doing this exercise!
One constant in my life: smile, make people laugh and laugh! I read it in my writings, I see it in my photos.
To you who are reading this, I encourage you to sort and clean your memories NOW!
Why now? Because we’re in the midst of a moment that, I believe, is ripe for it. Our usual points of reference aren’t here. We don’t have the same activities, the same trips, the same human contacts.
So this is a great opportunity to visit our past. To see what built us. To let go of what doesn’t need to stay(#liberate was this week’s intention for #hahasisterhood)). To highlight what deserves to be highlighted. To celebrate the accomplishments, the trials and tribulations, the good and beautiful people who have surrounded us since birth.
Yes, it can be hard to see that time has gone by so quickly that we’ve lost loved ones (sometimes too quickly). But it’s also a joy to say hello to them wherever they are, to talk to them for a few minutes, to remind them that they put a beautiful color in our lives during their earthly passage.
Crying is as liberating as laughing! (I’d have to search the literature to see if our bodies secrete endorphins when we sob… )
From 4 boxes of archives, I think I’ll keep just two. Of 8 boxes of photos (that’s when you were a professional photographer in a former life!), I’ll keep just one larger one.
I think taking a look at your life from time to time isn’t so bad for your morale! Especially when you keep the things that make you feel good! Sweet nothings, drawing cards (my zami!), books we’ve made, photos of special moments and people we’ve met, loved or cared about at different times in our lives.
It can be heavy to bring up all these memories (I’ve had a lot of images in my head over the past two days) and at the same time, it’s tremendously beneficial!
I wouldn’t want to erase all those memories that make me the woman I am!
Did you take this step during the lockdown? Tell me what it felt like and how it went.
Let’s keep smiling!
Linda, your HAHA Sister
P.S. My Laflèche boots are one of the things I keep!

Choose to laugh… even in public!

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Choosing to laugh is important. You’ve been following me for a while, so now you know. I choose to laugh… even in public!

A happy adventure happened to me a few days ago. While on the train to Toronto to present at a conference, I chose to laugh to relieve a little stress. Linda? Stressed out? Of course I’m stressed! Presenting in front of hundreds of serious people is always a challenge. Will they participate? Will they understand and appreciate? Never a foregone conclusion. So yes. I was a little stressed.

So I was sitting next to a woman who seemed very focused on her work at the computer. Concentrated and preoccupied. The train was almost full. I love taking the train. The rolling of the wheels on the rails soothes me. I love being able to work while I’m “on the road” and watch the scenery go by! I love walking down the aisle when I want to stretch my legs during the journey. In short, I love trains!

A family was sitting a few rows away from mine, and every now and then I could hear the little boy laughing as he watched a screen. He gave me an idea.

He gave me a GOOD idea!

While all the passengers seemed lost in thought, seriously reading the paper, working on the computer, this little boy was laughing heartily while looking at something on his parents’ tablet! Serious adults vs. a little boy laughing his head off!

Ever heard of “cell phone laughter”? That’s exactly what I did at that moment! I put on my headphones and pretended I was having a conversation that made me laugh out loud. Of course, I went on for quite a while. At least 5 minutes… with little pauses – to pretend I was listening to something – and I’d start laughing harder again.

My seatmate then became a little interested in me, who was laughing happily next to her… and when I saw that she was laughing with me (without really looking at me), I laughed even harder! For real!

Once I’d “finished the call”, I took off my headphones. Smiling, eyes shining, cheeks rosy and shoulders relaxed. We chatted a bit and she simply told me she needed to lighten her thoughts… seeing me laugh had made her smile, then laugh back.

The result?

Domino effect! I laugh. She laughs. I feel better. She feels better!

Incidentally, she had taken the photo you see while I was laughing at the scenery. Because it did her good to hear me laugh. To remind herself that hearing someone laugh had made her laugh too… and that it had done her good.

I don’t even remember her name and she’s probably forgotten mine. But I won’t forget that we shared an “intimate” moment of complicity when we both laughed together!

If I were to ask you…

What prevents you from laughing? When you’re in public, do you allow yourself to laugh? Even when you’re alone?

That’s what I did. Laughing while pretending someone was making me laugh – thanks, cell phone! If I told you it was a lot easier than you think, would you believe me? IT IS!

People don’t know that you’re “talking” into thin air and laughing to yourself. That you pretend to have a hilarious conversation! So enjoy it! Do it just to test it out and let me know how it goes. At worst, you’ll feel ridiculous and laugh at yourself for doing something so “crazy”. At best, you’ll feel lighter-hearted and happier!

Worth a try, don’t you think?

Do it… and see!

Laughter, joy and health

Linda

p.s. You know that to please is to please!

Putting things into perspective

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There’s nothing like laughing with children to put things into perspective! I experienced just that on Saturday, when Rossana Bruzzone, the bubbly beauty behind Neige en couleurs, invited me to offer mini laughter yoga sessions under a heated yurt in Montreal’s Ignace Bourget Park.

What a gift!

Let me put you in context.

Curtain up on the stage…

Friday morning, I woke up to a nasty surprise: my site had been hacked after an attempted abduction! Panic in the residence! PAF! All hell broke loose to protect my work, change passwords, make sure everything was ok… It’s quite a nightmare, you may Check out paydayloansstreet.co.uk

If someone tries to move a site to another server – and thus block access to it – it’s a most frightening and catastrophic scenario. It’s hard to imagine anyone waking up in the morning and thinking: who’s going to steal today? But it does exist! But alas…

I was supposed to leave for Montreal during the day on Friday, but I was pretty upset about the whole thing, so I decided to hit the road the next morning… and when I looked at the weather forecast, I saw that another 10 to 15 cm of snow and rain were forecast… Travel and participation called into question. Safety first and foremost.

The next morning, sunshine and barely ½ cm of snow on the ground! And off we go to Montreal!

Without realizing it, I was heading for a corner of paradise… not a physical one, no – everything was icy, wet and too windy to be pleasant outside when I arrived. No, it was a corner of paradise for the heart! For love, complicity, simplicity, candor…

A yurt is round!

Now that’s fun!

A few families were seated at tables, drawing, tinkering… colorful posters promoting health, joy and lasting happiness on the “walls”.

At first, I didn’t have many participants. First, I had to do a few laughter yoga exercises with one child at a time, then do a session with a parent-child group.

Because Rossana suggested he come to me, I started by laughing with a handsome 7-year-old boy with sparkling, sky-blue eyes! He was accompanied by his father, little brother and two sisters, but he came alone to laugh with me while the others made a craft for the next day’s happiness parade.

My new friend was reserved but did the exercises willingly. And the exercise he seemed to enjoy the most was… laughing at tears! He didn’t laugh out loud, but he laughed sincerely. HO HO HAHAHA was said with enthusiasm!

The same goes for the little girl who came to me after a few minutes. A pretty 6-year-old girl whose favorite color is turquoise and who was breathing in the scent of her favorite flower… turquoise! “Even though a turquoise flower doesn’t smell very good, it’s so pretty!

Finally, Breast Augmentation Process – Estrella Estetik families arrived and we began a joyful session under the yurt!

A small miracle…

First of all, my morning gloom quickly vanished with the first smile exchanged with the little boy at the start of the activity. But it was on the way back to my car that I paid attention to how I was feeling at the time.

My heart was overwhelmed with gratitude. Grateful to have had the joy of being TOUCHED in the heart by the simplicity, the naturalness, the authenticity of these children. Without trying to force it, their eyes spoke loudly and SAID joy! Hope! Faith! Faith in a world of goodness, beauty, help, purity…

To tell you how good it made me feel. How it got me “out of my head” as an adult! I felt light and far from the responsibilities of being a big, serious, stressed-out person during this moment of grace.

For a while, I really believed that the world is beautiful and that anything is possible!

I know the world is beautiful, but at that moment, it was an ASSURED CERTAINTY. In that moment…

What if we made this moment last? What if we cultivated this state of openness, abandonment, playfulness, hope… and above all kindness…

Shall we do it?

Laughter, joy and health

Linda