published in the Republican April 2020

We are living during a time of anxiety, nervousness and helplessness.  Many of us are being told to stay home while practicing social distancing.  With all the news, it is hard to find happiness and laughter.

A doctor in India, Madan Kataria, developed a system known as laughter yoga. It is a way to release tension and allow us to enjoy a simple laugh.  The belief is that a voluntary laugh has many psychological benefits.  It has been proven to improve your attitude while improving your health and quality of life.

Laughter yoga consists of warming up and clapping while chanting an affirmation, followed by breathing exercises.  Yoga poses are done in a silly and playful manner with laughter.

Laughter yoga is found in 53 countries, with 5,000 laughter yoga clubs around the world.  Of those, two hundred are in the United States.

Twenty minutes of laughter is recommended to fully receive the psychological benefit.  Everybody can laugh with techniques from comedy and jokes.

Laughter can also be contagious when done in a group.  Laughter yoga combines breathing exercises with laughter exercises that oxidates our bodies and brains to make us healthier and more energetic.

published in the Republican 3/2020

Today we are dealing with a health crisis across the country that is impacting our daily living.  The coronavirus is forcing schools to be closed, restaurants and bars are closing with only offering takeout and restrictions have been placed on crowd sizes. Many stores and malls are closing with only grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations remaining open.

Many events from sports to entertainment are being cancelled.  We are being told to avoid crowds and practice social distancing.  Unfortunately, this is also causing panic from overbuying to over worrying. 

I have even noticed my own anxiety level rising and I am finding ways to cope with what is happening in our nation.  The first step is not to become obsessed with reading everything from the Internet to the news.  It is best to get information from trustworthy sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.  It is also a good idea to take a break from social media posts regarding the virus.  I find ways to practice safety from washing my hands to practicing social distancing and talking to the doctor.

There are many fun activities that can reduce stress.  A few of my favorites are meditation, yoga, going for a walk, reading a book or working on a creative project.  More importantly, you should keep a positive attitude by remembering the mantra, “I am safe, I am healthy and I am happy.”

published in the Republican 3/2020

Stress can be very damaging to the body and mind.  It can cause physical and emotional symptoms.

Many studies have found that doing yoga in the morning and evening can minimize stress and increase productiveness.  Yoga empowers us to findhappiness, mindfulness and self-compassion. 

Many stress relief techniques include controlled breathing, meditation, physical movements and mental imagery.  There are many positive effects of yoga.  It can reduce anxiety and help with sleeping.  It can also improve many medical conditions such as high blood pressure.

Physically, yoga can help you with reducing muscle tension while increasing flexibility.  Yoga can also be used as a spiritual tool to improve your well-being.

The purpose of yoga is to see your mind and body as one.  There are many ways you can use yoga in your daily life, such as breathing techniques to calm and focus yourself.  Meditation is another big part of the yoga practice because it teaches you how to connect with yourself and the universe.  It also teaches you to be mindful while loving yourself and those around you.

Yoga has always been a big part of my daily life because it keeps me focused on my purpose and passion while keeping me in a spiritual balance.