This Littles Light of Mine

This Little Light of Mine

Greetings, my name is Sue Ansari. I am a registered nurse, laughter yoga teacher, raw food chef, wellness coach, holistic health counselor and a cancer survivor. Yes, it is so important when dealing with this diagnosis to do and be all things healthy – stay away from all processed foods, heap on the organic fresh fruits and veggies, drink plenty of water, exercise, but how often has your doc given you a script for laughter?

Laughter effortlessly accomplishes deep breathing, increases endorphin production, decreases pain, decreases stress and simply makes the “medicine” of the day go down so much easier. You don’t need to laugh for a reason, just throw your head back and laugh for NO reason….the benefits will be the same and you will feel better, promise!

I appreciate the Littlest Tumor Foundation asking me to contribute to their wellness blog and offer my hope and support for the work they are doing. I would like to share with you something I wrote recently for another blog that will hopefully help you understand the healing power of laughter.

“A couple of days ago, I received an email from a self-help cancer site. It was well-written, well-intended, but it seemed to be missing something. The article was about restoring joy that often in a post-cancer state can be very challenging.

It suggested that one concentrate and focus on those many positive items we all have in our lives - home, family, friends, the beauty of Nature, music, etc. - and thus, be filled with feelings of joy. At least for me, the joy I feel thinking those thoughts doesn't stick with me for long.

Luckily, I have been bitten with an infectious Indian laughter bug known as the "HohoHaha Syndrome" which can literally move you from motion to emotion. What does this mean in less scientific terms? Hmmmmmm, let me see, how can I explain?

There are many beautiful candles in my home - not only are they fragrant, but several are also embedded with a variety of gorgeous flowers. I can look at them, appreciate them, but only when I light them, do I receive the FULL benefit of their candle beings.

All of my life, I have been surrounded not only with beauty, but also with wonderful friends and family who have added so much to my life; however, my "fire" needed to be lit before my true brilliance and joy could be realized. For me, being infected with the "laughter bug" accomplished that.

Laughter has forced me to tell my body to laugh (the motion) which eventually, over a protracted period of time, fired up my inner candle, thus releasing my joy (the emotion). The strange thing about this syndrome is that it infects in a powerful, insidious way. I must tell you, during the entire incubation period, my personal life was a huge mess - there was very little to laugh about, let alone feel happy about; however, as the “laughter bug" kept biting me, I laughed....and laughed....and laughed. The more I laughed, the better I felt and the better I felt, the more I laughed! What a fantastic, positive vicious cycle!

The syndrome often leaves me feeling light-hearted, as well as, occasionally, a bit light-headed. I sleep deeper, have a much more laid-back attitude about life in general, often have an inexplicable desire to laugh out loud for absolutely NO reason and often do so while driving. I feel upbeat most of the time and rarely succumb to severe bouts of depression as was the case prior to my “infection”.

Now that my inner candle is burning brightly, “this little light of mine” allows me to see vividly the beauty all around me and it lights my way, so that I can share that joy with others. Some days I feel I would like to wrap my arms around the entire world and give it a good squeeze! Amazing what an “infection” such as this can do to a mind and body. Simply tell your body what to do and your mind will have no problem following!

O what is laughter?

What is this precious love and laughter

Budding in our Hearts?

It is the glorious sound

Of a soul waking up!

- Hafiz...

Sue Ansari RN and Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher was among the very first certified Laughter Yoga teachers in the US, training in 2005 with Dr. Madan Kataria, the founder of Laughter Yoga, in Interlaken, Switzerland. He has twice recognized her as a “Laughter Ambassador” for her outstanding contribution to the Laughter Yoga movement. A cancer survivor herself, Sue is actively engaged locally and globally in presenting cancer/wellness retreats with Laughter Yoga at its heart. Presently, she is a part of the International Laughter Yoga team, assisting Dr. Kataria with his work and writing. Locally, she is on a mission to bring more laughter to the ailing city of Detroit, as well as to the medical community at large.

Laughter Yoga is a unique concept based on the principle of “acting happiness” – tell your body what to do and your mind will follow! Through a series of simple exercises and breathing techniques, Laughter Yoga will unlock the door of your heart and soul, thus releasing your Inner Joy, allowing you to re-acquaint yourself with the carefree, light-hearted child you once were.

HYPERLINK "http://www.laughteryoga-michigan.com" www.laughteryoga-michigan.com