I’ve just returned from attending the 6th All American Laughter Yoga Conference in San Diego. We have just had our own conference here in Australia a matter of weeks earlier, Japan had one on the same weekend as the USA, and Mexico is about to have their first next month. A Conference is different from any other interaction and here’s why
Reason 1. To meet new people
You meet new and interesting people from all over the world. I now have new friends like my room mate Simeon from New York, Luis from Mexico, Belachew from Ethiopia, and Connie from Canada to name a few. This is of course in addition to my long established friends such as Winnie from Jamaica and others from all around America and Canada
Reason 2. To hear powerful stories
You hear amazing, powerful, and touching stories. I am yet to read an article on line or in print and be moved to tears of joy, sorrow, inspiration or despair. Yet at a Conference this happens on a regular basis. To be in the same room as people who tell stories of cradling their dying mother, dealing with death on a regular basis in a cancer hospital, or bringing joy to prisoners and dementia patients made me so proud to be a part of such a movement
Reason 3. To confer
We confer (aka talk). After all that’s where the word Conference comes from. To share ideas over a coffee, meal, or red wine are significant. I get more ideas about how to promote Laughter Yoga and myself in two days of a Conference than I do for the rest of the year
Reason 4. To connect
You connect. With the rise in popularity of Social Media and the Internet the need to connect with other human beings face to face is becoming even more important than before. To laugh (hear), feel (touch), sense (smell), share meals (taste) and make eye contact (see) with others stimulates all of the senses instead of just one or two. This is true spirituality
Reason 5. To laugh
To laugh. OK so most of us lead or go to a Laughter Club once a week for around 45 minutes to laugh. When you attend a Conference you laugh like you have never laughed all year for two full days. I’ve been involved in Laughter Yoga since 2003 and in that time have attended teacher trainings, retreats, clubs, events and other such activities. But never have I came away from any of these in such a euphoric, enlightened, and inspired way as I do when I come away from a Laughter Yoga Conference
At this stage it appears there will be between two and five new Conferences taking place next year in addition to the existing ones. Why not locate the nearest one to you (or better still organize your own) and take your Laughter Yoga journey to another level. I promise that you won’t he disappointed
If you would like to view some photos that describe what I mean then visit http://gallery.me.com/sgendry#100179
Cheers
Merv