When we laugh, we give ourselves over to the immediacy of the present moment & transcend stress. There are 3 stages to mindful laughter. Each stage can last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. The first stage involves stretching your body like a cat & breathing deeply. Your stretch should start at the hands & 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 & focus on your breath. Laughter brings with it a host of positive effects that operate on both the physical & mental levels. It is also fun, expressive, & a way to release tension. Learn to laugh in the present moment, and you’ll find that joy is always there