Centered Silliness

[View Online]( [DailyOM]( INSPIRATION [Centered Silliness]( When we laugh, we give ourselves over to the immediacy of the present moment. Many people might be surprised to think of laughter as a form of meditation. Yet not only is laughing meditation one of the simplest forms of meditation, but also it is a very powerful one. The physical act of laughing is one of the few actions involving the body, emotions, and the soul. When we laugh, we give ourselves over to the immediacy of the present moment. We also are able to momentarily transcend minor physical and mental stresses. Practiced in the morning, laughing meditation can lend a joyful quality to the entire day. Practiced in the evening, laughing meditation is a potent relaxant that has been known to inspire pleasant dreams. Laughter also can help open our eyes to previously unnoticed absurdities that can make life seem less serious. There are three stages to mindful laughter. Each stage can last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. The first stage involves stretching your body like a cat and breathing deeply. Your stretch should start at the hands and feet before you move through the rest of your body. Stretch out the muscles in your face by yawning and making silly faces. The second stage of the meditation is pure laughter. Imagine a humorous situation, remember funny jokes, or think about how odd it is to be laughing by yourself. When the giggles start to rise, let them. Let the laughter ripple through your belly and down into the soles of your feet. Let the laughter lead to physical movement. Roll on the floor, if you have to, and keep on laughing until you stop. The final stage of the meditation is one of silence. Sit with your eyes closed and focus on your breath. Laughter brings with it a host of positive effects that operate on both the physical and mental levels. It is also fun, expressive, and a way to release tension. Learn to laugh in the present moment, and you’ll find that joy is always there. [ ] DailyOM Course Spotlight [Meditation for Anxiety]( By Emily Spurling There is a part of you deep within that is always calm, and these meditations — which offer insightful cues and opportunities of silence — will help you reconnect with this eternally peaceful part of yourself. In this course, meditation teacher Emily Spurling will teach you different forms of meditation, from traditional to modern, that are designed for beginners and seasoned meditators alike. You’ll gain a toolkit to handle stressful moments with grace so you can live a more mindful, present, and positive life. [Learn More]( [ ] New Courses - [Gentle Exercises to Eliminate Neck Hump]( - [Guided Journal Prompts to Release Fears]( - [The Art of Yoga Nidra: Unlock Your Sensuality]( - [Stop Unwanted Eating Behaviors in 8 Days]( [ ] Top 10 DailyOM Courses - [Shedding Your Menopausal Middle in 10 Days]( - [4 Minutes for Back Pain]( - [A Year of Writing to Uncover the Authentic Self]( - [The Art of Yoga Nidra: Unlock Your Sensuality]( - [Strengthening Your Pelvic Floor]( - [Fascia Flows to Free Your Body]( - [Transforming Anger in Relationships]( - [Tell Your Story, Heal Your Life]( - [How to Quiet the Mind]( - [Hold Your Own During Control Dramas]( [DailyOM]( [ ] [facebook]( [instagram]( [pinterest]( [twitter]( You are receiving this email because you are signed up to receive emails from DailyOM. You are registered with {EMAIL}. [Inspirations]( | [Courses]( | [Horoscopes]( [Remove me from this list]( | [Help/FAQ]( Copyright © 2023 [Everyday Health, Inc.]( All rights reserved. DailyOM is among the federally registered trademarks of Everyday Health, Inc. and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. 114 Fifth Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10011 Subject to our [terms of service]( and [privacy policy](