Cynthia Paris hails from the scenic Midwest area of the United States. She stumbled upon the concept of Laughter Yoga. Intrigued by the idea, she decided to attend a session and was elated to discover a simple yet effective way to rekindle her own laughter. Not long after her initial encounter, she had the incredible opportunity to receive training in Laughter Yoga directly from Dr. Kataria himself when he visited the United States. Since then, regardless of the stressors she faces, Cynthia's laughter always finds its way back to her.
Embracing Laughter Amidst Adversity: In the face of unforeseen health adversities, including surgeries, cancer, and a battle with septic shock, Cynthia's planned semi-retirement took an unexpected turn. Amidst the backdrop of the Covid pandemic, confined to a wheelchair and enduring solitary hospital stays, laughter became her lifeline. Despite constant pain, Cynthia discovered a remarkable ability to uplift the spirits of exhausted nursing staff with her infectious humor.
Even after an unfortunate incident where an inexperienced nurse dropped her from a mechanical lift, Cynthia managed to giggle through the pain and encouraged everyone to find the silliness in the situation. In times when surgical recovery prevented her from engaging in physical laughter and movement, she ingeniously used eye motions to symbolize Laughter Yoga (LY) movements, imagining herself laughing along.
The Healing Power of Humor: Being stuck in a wheelchair for nearly three years was a nightmare for someone who had always been extremely active and indulged in adventure sports. The idea of a life without rock-climbing or dancing seemed unimaginable, as if the body had lost its purpose.
With physical activity drastically reduced, maintaining a cheerful and humor-filled life appeared challenging. However, Cynthia's goofy antics and thunderous laughter gave the impression of a carefree existence, masking the underlying pain and difficulties she faced daily.
From Wheelchair to Wanderlust: Recently, Cynthia embarked on her first travels since the pandemic began, venturing across the United States and Europe. Accompanied by her trusty old wheelchair, she embarked on a new chapter of adventures, ready to embrace the world once again. Rather than allowing her wheelchair to hinder her spirit, she sees it as a companion that accompanies her on this remarkable journey.
Finding Joy in Every Challenge: The secret to her resilience lay in laughing daily, regardless of the circumstances, whether good or bad events unfolded. Laughter became her lifeline, providing solace and strength, and reminding her that amidst the challenges, joy could still be found.
Despite life's hardships, Cynthia possesses a remarkable talent for unleashing contagious and exuberant laughter. Her infectious laughter fills the air, spreading pure joy wherever it goes. Cynthia's decision to travel again reflects her resilience and unwavering spirit. She understands that life is too short to postpone joy and that every moment is an opportunity for laughter and connection. By choosing to share her humor and zest for life, Cynthia inspires others to embrace their own unique journeys, regardless of the obstacles they may face
Experts from KEYEM THOMEZ Book 55 Laughter Yogis: Inspiring Stories of JOY and Transformation
Amazon link to buy the book - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9K97LR4