Laughter Well-being / Laughter Yoga / Laughter Therapy

“Laughter serves as a blocking agent. Like a bulletproof vest, it may help protect you against the ravages of negative emotions that can assault you in disease.”- Norman Cousins

What are the benefits of prolonged laughter?

Natural laughter usually lasts 3-5 seconds. But 50 years of medical and scientific research shows that people get proven health benefits when laughter occurs continuously for 15 minutes. Laughter well-being aids stress management, provides uplifting playfulness and assists with creating a positive mental attitude. Laughter sessions are health-boosting as they provide a natural form of exercise and release feel-good hormones to aid mental and physical health.

What is involved in a session of laughter with Sam?

There are no yoga positions—the word yoga refers to the healthy breathwork that occurs naturally with prolonged laughter.

The laughter well-being session is run with zero jokes, using proven group exercises. It is suitable for ALL, including those who need to remain seated—each session is tailored to the group, with or without movement and appropriate for all abilities and ages.

Techniques are demonstrated in clear, easy steps so that they can be understood by everyone. Sam has experience supporting laughter with individuals with additional needs, including dementia, autism, brain injuries, partial sight and loss of speech, those with limited mobility and individuals in hospice/end of life care.

Sam’s sessions make it easy for ALL to laugh—each one is individually designed to work with the current energy and participation levels shown.

Relaxation techniques are practiced in between the laughter for stress management and increased mental health. These well-being techniques can also be used post-session, at the desk or at home. The strategies are fast, short, practical, and backed by science.

Natural laughter is invited and lengthened. Easy exercises bring a playful element, which helps you to gain a respite from the thinking brain and move more toward the creative brain, allowing relaxation and greater calm.

Each session is highly facilitated to ensure that laughter is invited. Those who cannot laugh as much, do still report that they can smile, soften, and access laughter later.

Most people report feeling energised, more relaxed and surprised how good they feel from belly laughter. People usually report that they slept wonderfully afterward!

Sam is a professional Laughter Facilitator and has delivered laughter workshops for workplaces and coaching for individuals for over five years. She has worked with people from diverse backgrounds to draw out their innate strengths and increase their self-confidence. She is the author of the book Laugh More: Soar in Your Health, Career and Relationships, which is available in print or on Kindle, Apple Books and Audible.

Here is Sam doing a laughter yoga session at The Anderida Practice: 100 seconds watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2743az64bkk

OUR PRACTITIONERS

Sam Rehan

BSc. (Hons), RCST, ISMA, MRSPH

Sam Rehan is a high impact well-being motivator, wellness professional, author and speaker with an exceptional track record. Sam has been a corporate trainer for 21 years and has over 30+ years of expertise working in health, science, and scientific research, holistic therapies and cognitive coaching.

Sam’s motto is: Be Well. Work Well. Lead Well. She currently helps individuals (and teams) to reduce anxiety, accelerate thinking, and integrate sustainable self-care techniques into their lives. Sam’s gentle, nurturing, yet highly transformative methods are all backed by real science with a focus on long-term success. She not only teaches these methods to her clients, but lives and models them in her own life as well.

At age 50, Sam continues to teach happy ageing and improved wellness with her trademark approach, utilising the lightness of laughter, powerful relaxation techniques, and her magnetic energy and enthusiasm – all of which are on clear display in her breakthrough book, Laugh More: Soar in Your Health, Career and Relationships.

Expertise

Sam works with individuals and teaches well-being to workplaces. Her happy clients can be viewed at: https://www.samrehan.com/clients-media-books/

She has worked with individuals with additional needs, including dementia, autism, brain injuries, and partial sight and loss of speech. Her oldest client was 99 and her youngest was 4 days old.

Sam has a background in science, health and positive psychology. With a BSc. in Biological Sciences, as well as qualifications in anatomy and physiology, she uses proven strategies from neuroscience and best practices. She is a certified Mental Health First Aider. She also has an IAFPD Certificate in Coaching, and is a Professional member of The International Stress Management Association [ISMAUK], the leading professional body for workplace and personal stress management, well-being and performance.

· 30+ Years Wellness Experience

· Member: The Mental Wellness Society; Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH)

· Craniosacral Therapist (since 2008)

· Professional Laughter Well-being Facilitator (5 years)

· EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) / EFT Tapping (since 2019)

· Board Advisor: Ailm Dara, A Wellness Technology Company

· Scientific research background (6 years)

· Mind Instructor for the individual and workplace well-being app Revoola

· Published author of Laugh More: Soar in your Career, Health & Relationships

· Face-to-face global training experience with professionals in 30 countries (including medical staff and health professionals)

A bit more about Sam

Warm, engaging and informative, Sam is a single mum, with a child with additional medical needs. She was born in the UK from a mixed-heritage background, and has resided both in the north and south of England. Sam shares to inspire and support you, whatever your circumstance, and strives to meet you where you are.

Sam donates her time by providing well-being sessions for hospices, charities and community groups. Get in touch if I can support your organisation.