Is Yoga still effective with a cat sitting on your face?

At around 6 am this morning, after working 2 hours on the computer, feeding a house full of cats and strategically avoiding baby bottle washing duty it was time to start my Yoga.

It also happened to be my time to watch our baby who is affectionately known as Baby Izzy. So, in the bouncy chair Baby Izzy went. I began my Yoga as I usually do by lying down on my back, emptying my mind and trying to relax all the muscles in my body.

Just as I was starting to relax my body and move into the first stretch my 3-month old cat, Sydney tromps over and proceeds to find a nice cozy spot to sleep right on my neck. She then proceeds to rest her sweet little nose directly over my right nostril. Now my breathing was slightly altered, but nothing to be too concerned about. I still had one available nostril.

At the same time, Baby Izzy starts squirming like a worm so, quickly, trying not to lose my new found state of relaxation, I pop the pacifier in her mouth and lie down again. Little Izzy continues to squirm so with my left foot I reach over and start bouncing the bouncy chair. Now Sydney, who was displaced during the pacifier incident returns to claim her territory once again, blocking my right nostril. As I am bouncing, Baby Izzy with me left foot and trying to relax the right side of my body I can't help but think, is Yoga still effective with a cat sitting on your face?

Then I began to laugh out loud, what a scene! Sydney starts rubbing her face all over mine and Baby Izzy starts practicing her cooing! But somehow I do think I am still benefiting from my Yoga. What could be more relaxing than starting your day off with a great belly laugh!

All of which got me thinking.... What are the benefits of Laughter?

"Dr. Lee Berk and fellow researcher Dr. Stanley Tan of Loma Linda University in California have been studying the effects of laughter on the immune system. To date, their published studies have shown that laughing lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexion, and boosts immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins called Gamma-interferon and B-cells, which produce disease-destroying antibodies. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-being."

Sounds pretty good to me.....So, what are the benefits of Yoga?

"The deep, steady breathing of yoga is believed to balance the nervous system and improve circulation," says Nicole Nisly, MD. "Combine that with visualization and relaxation, and yoga leads to a calm and focused state of mind."

The physical benefits of yoga are seen in a wide variety of health conditions. In mild cases of asthma and high blood pressure, yoga can reduce the need for medication. As well as reducing the production of stress hormones, it increases muscle tone, flexibility, and boosts immune function. Yoga also triggers the release of endorphins and produces a general sense of well-being.

Ummmm.......anybody see much difference?

I guess it comes down to everything else. If I get frustrated and overwhelmed because I can't get what I want done, then any possible health benefits with anything I do have pretty much been shot. But if I take things with a grain of salt and try to find the humor in them then I can only benefit whether I am doing Yoga or Laughing!

Time to take a walk on the lighter side and enjoy the humor you'll find in everything you do!

Read Laughter the Cure for All that Ails You to learn more about how laughter can heal.

"The art of medicine consists of keeping the patient amused while nature heals the disease."~ Voltaire

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