Why You Should Volunteer to Lead Laughter Yoga Classes for Senior Care in Houston

Do you want to find a meaningful, fun, and simple way to volunteer in your community? How would you like to give senior citizens the gift of laughter?

Laughter yoga is not only beneficial to a senior’s health, it’s a feel-good activity, that both you and the seniors can enjoy. Anyone can participate and benefit from this form of yoga regardless of their cognitive or physical limitations. This is the perfect activity for a senior living in a nursing care, assisted living community or any type of senior care in Houston.

The Basics

You will find volunteering for laughter yoga classes as a simple, enjoyable, and rewarding experience. Basically, the concept of laughter yoga is to spontaneously or voluntarily laugh. This is typically done in a group setting.

Usually, there is a facilitator that guides the group through creative exercises that might include focused breathing, laughing on cue, raising their hands in the air, or clapping. Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with “yoga,” in this instance the yoga involved refers to a mental state, not physical poses.

Why Laughing Yoga Works

In a group setting, laughter is contagious. According to studies, the sound of laughter can trigger laughter in others more frequently than if they watch a funny movie or hear a joke. It’s difficult not to join in on laughter when it’s surrounding you, whether it’s a full-on belly laugh or a chuckle that tickles your funny bone.

There are seven benefits laughter can provide a volunteer. By implementing this type of activity on a regular basis it can have a great impact. Studies have shown that regular laughter, of any type, even forced giggles and smiles, can improve a persons emotional, physical, and cognitive health.

• Reduce stress
• Decrease feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation
• Help regulate pulse and blood pressure
• Increase endorphins that boost well being, energy, and mood
• Boosts short-term memory
• Increase feelings of trust
• Promotes friendships and bonding

Mix and Match to Create Your Own Class

There are many ways to organize a laughter yoga class. You can take some creative license and create a class that works for you and the seniors you’re working with. Part of the fun is in seeing where the class leads, observing what works, and changing the program as you go along.

If you’re looking for a method that most people might be familiar with, here are some options you can pull out of your yoga leader “bag of tricks.”

• Have everyone sit in a circle. The circle is important so that everyone can see each other’s faces.
• Start by introducing yourself to the group. Explain the purpose of the class. An explanation of laughing yoga can make a difference in how people receive the program. If a person knows what they’re doing and why they’re doing it, it can bring more meaning and purpose to the activity.
• Help the seniors do some deep breathing. This can help them release deep belly laughs.
• Chanting can set the tone and help give participants the mindset that the class will be a positive experience. You should use positive mantras including “Be happy, be free.”
• When speaking to the group, speak with confidence and stay clear of doubtful or negative action, thoughts or expressions. This is especially true if you have people in your group with dementia who may hang on your words and mimic your attitude.
• Try out different styles of laughter and ask the residents to join you. You can go from a tiny hee hee to a deep ho-ho. Try to experiment with different sounds.
• Be playful and incorporate the spirit of childlike playfulness. You can raise your hands in the air, clap your hands, or make funny faces.
• Your goal should be to get 10 to 15 minutes of laughter. According to the laughter yoga philosophy, 10 to 15 minutes of laughter is needed to achieve the full benefits.

Have fun! Even if you don’t achieve the full benefits, any amount of laughter can have a positive impact on your life and the lives of the seniors at the facility. Even if a senior is only observing the yoga class, they can still be stimulated with the sound, sight, and sense of positivity.

Call or contact Assisting Hands Houston regarding any questions about the services we provide!