The purpose of mentioning now the Laughter Wellness three
key reminders is to:
- Remind all of the important guidelines that will benefit them;
- Create a rational context for anybody who happens to be stuck in their head for whatever reason;
- Set the rules of engagement for any troublemakers that may have been identified. This is how the class is going to work, not some other way. If you have identified people like that, this provides you with a gentle way to either get them to participate or give them an acceptable excuse to leave the class.
Let’s first review what each of these reminders means. We’ll then review what to do if you’ve seen some resistance because now is the time to address and iron it out. The last thing you want is to have someone who doesn’t want to be there or is not able to listen to your words stay in your class.
Just before we start, there are three important guidelines to follow. Here they are:
1. Connect
What to say: Make a lot of eye contact! Connect with and express the best of you. See the best in others.
Why: The invitation goes beyond “just” making eye contact because we are not machines. It’s not what we do that’s important, but the energies behind it. You want to train people from the very beginning of your programs on the importance of focusing on the light rather than the darkness, on what works rather than what doesn’t, on what we have rather than what we don’t have, on love rather than fear. Connect with and express the best of you. See the best in others.
Tips:
- People’s self-esteem and feelings of healthy social integration will be significantly boosted if you invite them to make eye contact at close range. Friendly and authentic eye contact encourages people out of their shells, fosters feelings of trust, and makes them feel more connected with one another and better about themselves.
2. Engage
What to say: Please follow along, do as suggested, and don’t talk. We will debrief at the end, and everyone will have a chance to share, but right now, we want to silence our minds as much as possible. Thank you.
About no talking:
- Humor is wonderful, but please keep jokes for after the end of the class. Here you want to be in your body and the experience, not be in your head and judge.
- This reminder is the only one you must mention to everybody joining your class that arrives late. If you don’t, there is a strong chance they will not understand what’s happening and try to fit in the best way they know, which is by attempting to be funny themselves in an attempt to make others laugh. This will be an undesirable distraction for them and everybody else.
3. Enjoy
What to say: Be gentle, take it easy, avoid force, no extremes, and enjoy everything you do. Nothing should be painful and even less uncomfortable. No new pain! There is nothing you have to do. Make everything work for you. Respect your body and what it can or cannot do today.
Why: Why be an advocate of fear psychology? I prefer to focus on what can be done and how rather than what can’t be done and why. This being said, keep in mind that laughing is not a substitute for medical consultation for physical, mental, and psychological illnesses. It is universally well tolerated, but caution is advised in patients with certain concerning health conditions. When in doubt, do not engage in this or any other exercise program, and consult with your doctor to make sure laughter is appropriate for you.
Teaching Tips:
- Do NOT take ownership of other people’s problems. If someone asks you, “I have ABC health problem. Can I join your class?” your answer should always be, “I don’t know. Please ask your doctor.“
- If they still choose to participate, you may want to lead a very gentle class with everybody on a chair. Prevention is better than cure. It is your responsibility as the instructor to make sure everybody is safe.
What To Do If You Identify Resistance In One Or More Of Your Participants:
Sometimes, some people attend Laughter Wellness events only because they are being pressured by someone else. While it is uncommon, it becomes apparent rather quickly as they either do not participate fully or even at all.
Do not let those who are uninterested in being present stay and disrupt the class. If you face resistance, follow the steps we have established thus far and hold off until the conclusion of Step Two to speak up. At that point, you might say something like this to the whole group to illustrate the “enjoy” key reminder (never single out individuals, even if you all know who are are addressing):
“Today, I invite you to a different kind of experience. What I am offering may not make sense right now, and that’s OK. But if you are open to genuinely feeling better, I guarantee it’s what will happen within the next [duration of your program]. Now if some of you feel uncomfortable and want to opt out, I fully respect it. If that’s you, please stay where you are and have a seat. You are very welcome to join us if and when you are ready.