Tag: laughter

When people think about yoga, they usually think about flexibility, strength or peace… maybe a calmness and an attention to the breath.  And they would be right — yoga is all of that and more.  But what people don’t often talk about is the laughter.

Yes, you can laugh during yoga.  Some of my favorite teachers make me laugh on a regular basis, and it’s part of the reason I keep coming back.  Trying a new pose can be challenging, and laughter is one way to shake off the nerves.  If you’ve ever tried an acro yoga class, then you know there are roars of laughter shaking the room, as partners pair up and put feet into backs and flyers wiggle and wobble, and things don’t turn out exactly as you envision at all.  

Heart-opening poses might make you tear up, but they also might make you smile, wondering if you’re leaning into it a little too much… and feeling your fingers sliding off their grip.

Directions to look your friend in the eyes, or even meeting a gaze of a fellow yogi in the mirror, might spark snickers…even if you can’t pinpoint the reason for it, and think it would be more zen of you to hold it in.

Keep in mind that a good belly laugh is great for the soul, and the abs.  We’re all human and we’re all imperfect and on a unique journey that asks us to be vulnerable and authentic.  We’re asking our bodies to move into strange positions, and to breathe into impossible places, and there’s no law that says we always have to take it so, so seriously.

So the next time something awkward or silly happens in class, don’t feel guilty if a chuckle rises up in your throat.  Don’t swallow the laughter.  Be real.  And if you want to feel supported, feel free to look over at me.   I’ll be the one giggling in savasanah and losing it in toe stand.  (Thankfully, my friend Sarah is of the same mind, and we laughed our faces off during this shoot.)