Laughter Yoga at Mumbai Street School
13-Aug-07Mumbai is the biggest metropolis in India. It provides dramatic examples of the great divide between rich and poor — modern skyscrapers skirted by slums.
The pavement is home for thousands of families. Many children are deprived of shelter and clothing — education is far removed. These harsh conditions turn many innocent children to acts of criminality.
Asha Kiran is an NGO that provides basic education to homeless and slum children. It runs a chain of schools on the streets of Mumbai.
Today I chanced on a class being held on the pavement. I was surprised at the discipline maintained by the young children and their teacher. In these basic surroundings — a noisy sidewalk, loads of pollution and trash — they were totally engrossed in their studies, oblivious to their surroundings.
Moved by their sincere search for improvement I introduced them to laughter yoga. They took to the exercises instantly and we were all soon in hysterics. Together we laughed and chanted very good, very good, yeah! and clapped and danced ho ho ha ha ha .
It was a blockbuster hit.
Laughter yoga with children is extremely beneficial. They laugh easily and use their body actions to change their state of mind — their playfulness helps express their emotions and develops better learning and cognitive skills. It also provides the exercise missing from so many childhoods today.
Laughing with kids is one of the most rewarding activities for laughter professionals — we learn and benefit from their exuberance and playfulness.
Develop your childlike playfulness — go laugh with kids!
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I contacted the Asha Kiran organization who bring hope through education to tens of thousands across India. I hope we can raise funds to provide training for their teachers across India and bring laughter into the lives of these kids.
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