Karen Siugzda, a certified laughter wellness instructor, will return to Cinnaminson Public Library on Feb. 13
When a viral video of a hysterical yogi, adorned in a gold robe and making absurd gestures and sounds, circulated around the Internet about a decade ago, some viewers thought it was a joke. Others believed the man, celebrity guru Ramesh Pandey, and his “laughter yoga” routine were insane, and Karen Siugzda admits that when she first tried the wellness practice, she felt a little silly.
“I had no idea what to expect or what it was when I tried my first class, so initially, my reaction was judgment,” Siugzda said. “I went into my head and was like, ‘Well, this is weird.’”
After that initial experience, Siugzda found herself singing a different tune. She now extols the virtues of laughter yoga as a certified laughter wellness instructor, helping others get through that first-timer’s awkwardness through her classes, which she brought to Cinnaminson Public Library on Jan. 9.
Siugzda experienced a difficult period in her life that started with a car accident, which took a toll on her body. Eager to try anything to help her body and mind heal, she stumbled into a laughter yoga class and realized after just one session what a profound impact it had on her mental and physical state.
“It worked wonders for me — in the span of an hour I felt a thousand times better and more connected to people,” she said.
Since becoming certified in 2012, Siugzda has found even more joy in bringing laughter yoga to people around the Burlington and Camden county areas. With the medically proven benefits the practice brings, the impact it has had on her students is no joke.
“It’s the best thing I do for myself, anytime I get the chance,” said Jan Venables, who attended Siugzda’s class at Cinnaminson Library. Natalie Szabo added laughter yoga helps relieve her physical pain.
Through a combination of laughter, movement, breathwork and playfulness, experts from the Mayo Clinic verify that laughing, even if it feels forced, improves blood flow and blood pressure, boosts immunities, relieves pain and counts as aerobic exercise. For individuals with limited mobility, Siugzda said, laughter yoga provides a workout that might be difficult to get otherwise.
Siugzda will return to Cinnaminson Public Library for an additional class on Feb. 13 at 6 p.m., and invites anyone who needs a little more laughter in their lives to join. The class is free and open to the public.
For “laughter yoga” registration and additional information, visit www.bcls.lib.nj.us.
