LY Club in Sectio 8, PJ

The sound of laughter reverberated around the small park in Section 8 in the evenings of Mondays and Thursdays .  Yes, it is the beginning of joy and bonding amongst it residents, with the formation of the LY Club in PJ.  This is the brainchild of my mentee, whom I have been giving LY coaching on 1 to 1.  She is so convinced that LY can help the neighbourhood and  build better rapport.  I was invited to give an initial session with some of the residents.  Subsequent to that, the residents took their own initiative and started the exercise with the help of my mentee.  NOW, they get together every Mondays and Thursdays for a great stress busting  LY session.  Hooray to Section 8 LY Club.

Ara Laughter Club - PotLuck Party 26th July,2011

The Ara LY Club started in April and now is into its 3rd month.  The Club meets every Tuesday morning from 7.45am to 8.15am. The regulars, about 8-10 live around the area, and are mostly retirees and homemakers.  We got on really well; we know each other by names and soon we had our first get-together, breakfast after the Laughter exercises. Each of us brought food and drinks, it was a sumptuous spread by any standard. It was a beautiful morning, with coffee, pancakes, kueh, meehoon and more.  There was so much food..I think we put in more calories than losing that morning.....but we didnt care, the camaraderie was wonderful

Hospis Laughter for the Terminally Ill Patients- 26/July 2011

I have been doing LY sessions on and off at Hospis and Sisters of the Poor over the last 3 months.  What I have found is that, typically, as with other LY sessions elsewhere, it's the women who can express themselves freely and enjoy the fun that laughter yoga emulates.  It makes me wonder at the egoism of men, and why is it that they cannot let go.  But let me come back to the topic, the cancer patients of Hospis.  Last Thursday, I had a session with the women patients.  A few of the patients appeared tired and pale, but they were, nevertheless participative and did the exercises. One of them had to sit, yet she laughed with us.  Another had to rest on a chair after a few exercises, but that did not stop her from laughing.  We had a good session, and I hugged some of them, seeing that they were weak, yet so enthusiastic.
Later, a volunteer told me that some of these patients sickness had advanced, reaching the  terminal stage.  On hindsight, yes, I could see the paleness and weakness of a few of them. They are looking at death, YET..they carried on boldly with their time on this world, without sadness.  I feel privileged to know them and thankful for being able to introduce LY.  I do not know if I see all the familiar faces in the next LY session, but I am grateful to touch their lives through LY, without which I would never have the chance to see their courage.  I haven learned that attitude  is everything, in sickness and in health.