Haha happy day with Pedya Kamp volunteers
If dots connect lines, laughter connects people! Laughter Yoga connected me to Dr. Art Libao of Makati Medical Center last year when I conducted an LYoga session for him and his Pedya Kamp volunteers. It was overwhelming, productive, positive, and touching that they even named the LYoga clap “Elvie’s clap.” I promised Dr. Art Libao and the Pedya Kamp youth volunteers that I would continue conducting LYoga for them — in sincere appreciation of their advocacy of taking care of our special and disabled children. Dr. Libao and his youth volunteers spend about 10 days every year conducting training on how to deal, handle, and care for our special and disabled children.
If my laughter was infectious, “the kind of infection they would all like to have,” as Dr. Libao puts it, is their dedication and selflessness in what they do. Emblazoned on the shirts of some Pedya Kamp’s 170 volunteers were the words that would make a Filipino truly proud: “I am part of the great Filipino generation.” Yes, there is hope for our youth of today … our tomorrow and future!
Exuberant and carefree laughter reverberated in the four corners of the Makati Medical Center hall as we did the many kinds of LY exercises. I had to pause for a moment whenever the volunteers were carried away by their youthful exuberance, energy, and passion — to move to the next LYoga exercise. One could not help but imbibe their energy, creativity, and uninhibited movement as they danced, swayed, and swung to the rhythm of ho ho, ha ha ha!
It was a LYoga session to remember and cherish for long. It “turned moments into memories,” goes Pedya Kamp’s apt theme for this year. We had laughter galore that morning!
It is my fervent hope that the LYoga exercises and deep breathing techniques would help these selfless volunteers cope with the challenges that go with caring for our special and disabled children. As laughter is not only the best medicine, but is contagious as well, may it help Pedya Kamp volunteers bring cheers and joy as they carry on with their missions in life — as healthily, happily, and positively as possible.
Samples of the encouraging positive comments from the Pedya Kamp volunteers:
• Ding Canox: Because of the Laughter Yoga session, I realized I didn’t need gadgets, girls, and sex to be happy.
• Sarah Dane Baroña: It was kind of tiring but at the same time refreshing. I enjoyed the activity. Elvie has an infectious laughter that can make people laugh.
• Cherry Basanta: It was very relaxing. All bad vibes and spirits disappeared from my body. • Cj Mabinta: LYoga helped increase my energy. • Romalyn D. Rodriguez: It was really fun, very relaxing, and exciting.
• Vaughn Gerby Ancheta: A very wonderful experience. I learned a lot and especially enjoyed it.
• Bea Ysabel Dela Cruz: Overall, it was enjoyable, and helped me forget my problems. It also helped exercise my muscles.
• Bernadeth Dingding: Laughter Yoga is fun to do with friends and family.
• Aybel Joice Desalisa: Laughter Yoga was relaxing and gave me positive vibes. It was a good exercise and relieved my colds.
• Keanne Hope Javier: Although LYoga was tiring, it was so inspiring. I will share what I learned with my beloved family. I had fun. Live, love, and laugh. Thank you, Tita Elvie!
• Janine Luica De Luna: I felt refreshed, happy, clean, and fit. Through LYoga, I learned some healthy tips.
*** To laugh, visit: www.youtube.com/lycphohohaha. For more info, visit www.laughteryogaphils.com and e- mail laughteryogaclub.phils@gmail.com.