5 Life Lessons from a Laughing Senior Group

Recently I was lucky enough to lead a laughter yoga session with a group of seniors at an assisted living center here in Reno, NV. When I arrived, the activity professionals had already gathered a sizable group of residents together and the energy in the room was palpable. They were ready to laugh!  

The thing about laughing with senior groups is that I get so much out of it too. They teach me amidst all of the laughter yoga exercises and shenanigans.

​Life Lessons from a Laughing Senior Group
Recent Laughter Quotes and Takeaways from a Laughter Yoga Session with Seniors:

“The people walking by are going to admit us to the loony bin.”

This was spoken by a senior woman with a big grin on her face while catching her breath in between laughter exercises. The takeaway for me was - who cares? She obviously didn’t and was going to have a good time with the ridiculousness of the activity. Why do we care so much what other people think? Sometimes when we take the crazy, zany road, people will think we are nuts. But if that’s our authentic path, who cares? Live YOUR life, not the life you think others want you to be living!


When going around the circle and asking the residents their favorite sport we heard the usual soccer, football, swimming, baseball, ice skating, and then … "My favorite sport was chasing boys!"

Such a funny response which elicited it’s rightful amount of chuckling around the circle. The thing was, this particular woman spoke from her wheelchair with such merriment in her eyes! When was the last time you let your particular brand of humor smile and twinkle through your eyes? This was a wonderful example that no matter the circumstances, we are all able to find a source of merriment from within. It’s a reminder to tap into this source and let it out - both for our own benefit and for the benefit of those around us. Sometimes we just need to be honest - with our own flair!


“Thank you for coming and getting us to laugh.”

The lesson here was gratitude. It truly does go a long way. Here was a senior gentleman taking the time to say thank you to me at the end of our session - and all I wanted to do was thank all of them for everything they brought to me. When we express our gratitude and pass our thanks forward, we are opening the doorway to expanded relationships. We are also making someone else’s day as we take time to notice what they do for us and give to us in our lives.


Me: “Do you feel better?”
Senior: “Of course I feel better!”

In the midst of this particular senior laughter yoga session one woman was having difficulty breathing. In laughter yoga we are moving a lot of oxygen thru our lungs and it was becoming difficult for her to keep up. I mentioned that it was okay for her to sit back and just enjoy the exercises without fully participating - which she did. At the end of the session I was concerned and asked how she felt - fully expecting that she would answer that she was still having difficulty as this was readily apparent. Her response was rather forceful: “Of course I feel better!” The lesson for me here was that we can never expect to know and understand how another human being is doing and/or feeling simply by their outward appearance. There is much that goes on inside. We may never know how we touch or affect another’s life.


“I am SOOO Sexy.”
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At the very end of every laughter yoga session I have the participants repeat after me. “I love myself. I am beautiful. I am amazing. And I am - Soooo Sexy!” This always elicits a good amount of smiling and humor around the circle - with some fun commentary thrown in. Never underestimate the power of adding affirmations to your daily life - even fun and outlandish ones. They can definitely put a smile on your face and add a youthful grin to your day!


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​I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below on these life lessons from a laughing senior group. Also - feel free to reflect and share your thoughts on the following:

• What life lessons have you learned recently from the seniors in your community?
• ​How can these lessons be applied to your own life as you strive to make your best life a priority?​

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