Nurturing the Transformative Power of Laughter in Yoga and Daily Life-Finding RSF (Resting Smiling Face) June 28 2026
- rockbriarfarm
- 13 minutes ago
- 5 min read
My husband often accuses me of looking like I sucked a lemon and calls me cranky face. I don’t think I am a cranky person, perhaps my face settles into a look of discontent when I am not paying attention? Either of these options are not great. Could it be that he notices this face right as I discover socks kicked out of sight under the bed or the gunk in the sink after he has been cooking? I know what you are thinking, really, she gets cranky over stuff in the sink after he cooks? Those of you who know me well know that I do not snap over big issues (I go into fix it mode); it is only the tiny messes or disorder that make me twitch. And before you label me as OCD, know that I have spoken to a professional about this and I “merely like things in a certain order”. To be fair, I have also been taught that there are people out there who do not mind clutter and are fine with their clean towels in the laundry basket rather than folded with military precision. They also do not have a diagnosable condition-they are just more laid back!
I digress. As I thought about this cranky face moniker I also thought about laughter. Not life happiness or fulfillment, just laughing. Along with laughing, having a smile as one’s default face. Instead of RBF, default to RSF!😆😄😁
I love to laugh and love good jokes. Not unkind laughter at someone else’s expense, but deep belly laughs that only happen when you hear a funny joke, watch a funny movie or, and the best kind, experience something with others that makes you all laugh together – the kind of laughing that is uncontrolled, spontaneous and brings tears to your eyes. For many of us, this kind of laughter diminishes with age. Not because we no longer find things funny, but because we are not putting ourselves in situations where this can happen. Responsibilities, pressures and commitments take up more of our time, leaving less space in our calendar and our brain for laughing.
We know that we always feel better after a good laugh. It is a wonderful response that brings about true change to our body and acts as a natural buffer against stress, improves physical and mental wellbeing and can relieve pain. It does this by altering our brain chemistry and relaxing our muscles.
The medical benefit of laughter includes decreasing the level of stress hormones (like cortisol) while increasing immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies. A strong laugh stimulates circulation and improves blood vessel function, which lowers blood pressure and helps protect against cardiovascular issues. Laughing triggers the release of endorphins, a body’s natural painkiller. A good laugh can leave your muscles physically relaxed for up to 45 minutes after the laughter has subsided.
The emotional benefits of laughter include reducing stress and anxiety and elevating mood. It does this by producing good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Finding humor in a difficult situation can help us create distance and view conflict in a less overwhelming light. Sharing a laugh, most importantly, releases oxytocin which helps build trust, empathy and intimacy in relationships and reduces feeling of isolation.
When we think back to our younger days, we likely remember laughter and silliness as being a part of every day. The stimulation of joy and positive feelings it invokes is reason enough; the health benefits are the bonus!
First and foremost, I am going to wake up every day and try to paste RSF on. Channeling a little Carole King and the song Beautiful. This may be one of those fake it till you make situations, but it is a start. I have done some research and have gathered my favorite ideas for purposefully cultivating laughter into our day. I am hopeful that once I get the giggles flowing, I won’t have to approach it in such a regimented way! I have designed these around my own daily habits; suggest you have fun doing the same
Laughter Prompt: While on my morning walk, each time I reach a turn in the road, use it as a cue to recall a funny or silly memory. Something that makes me smile. (While driving, instead of sighing when you hit a red light, it could be your cue to laugh).
Nurture Your Silly: Actively seek what makes you laugh. For me it is watching a clip of Carol Burnett, The Redneck Liberal or Will Ferrell in Talladega Nights (just thinking about Ricky Bobby and the dinner table skit can make me laugh out loud). Zoolander, my favorite movie of all time, also cracks me up just thinking about “the little, tiny school” and “how do the kids fit in there?” Give up the mindless Facebook scrolling for ten minutes of the silly nurture.
Cultivate and Lean into Silly: At the end of each day, recall or write down one amusing or absurd thing that happened, helping retrain your brain to find humor in every day.
Connect with others: when you recall something funny that you shared with someone else, take the moment to remind them, laugh with them about it. This can become contagious and you will find yourself giggling as you call or text your partner-in-laughter!
On our yoga mat: remember one of our two cardinal rules of practice, Sense of Humor (the other is to breathe). Instead of feeling bad when we tip over in dancer, giggle and try again. I have been working on bird of paradise pose, watch me hop around trying to get into it and burst out laughing with (or at) me!
Let’s bring laughter and joy to our practice on and off the mat this week and “wake up every morning with a smile on your face” and plaster on RSF!
Our Practice-Ananda Balasana Happy Baby
As children we started our lives with full of laughter and curiousity as part of our every day. We will channel our inner child this week practicing Happy Baby with a giggle and by approaching challenging poses with curiosity and humor.
Meditating on Laughter
Carole King recently quoted Mark Twain saying “The human race has only one really effective weapon and that is laughter.”
Laughter is and always will be the best form of therapy ~ Audrey Hepburn
When you laugh, you change, and when you change, the whole world changes. ~ Dr. Madan Kataria (Founder of Laughter Yoga)
Enjoy this video of Carole King playing Beautiful live at Montreaux in 1973!
And for those of you who hear me talk about the Mrs. Wiggins skit when discussing neutral pelvis, here is one of my favorite skits that makes me crack up every time!
See you on the mat!
Namaste,
Julia Anne
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