This workshop is for people who are looking for alternative or complementary approaches to healing depression. The objective of this workshop is for adults to take leave of the stress of depression and experience playful, joyful, and meditative exercises which will bring their mind, body and spirit into balance. They will leave with tools to combat some of the debilitating effects of depression. Laughter exercises and meditation training will be offered to help people find joy and social connection, calm and tranquility, renewed energy, and a renewed sense of playfulness. There will be two parts to the workshop: meditation, and playfulness and laughter.
Dhyana Meditation is a tool that helps calm and quiet the mind rather quickly. In this form of meditation, you are aware, but the mind is not thinking. Racing thoughts are replaced with a supreme quiet state of consciousness. This brings about a state of deep silence, stillness, calm, and tranquility. It helps to reduce stress, promote relaxation, enrich mental functioning, creativity, and enhance personal relationships. It is very simple to learn and can become a valuable tool you can bring with you.
The laughter exercises are designed to rekindle the play and laughter of childhood. Feelings of happiness and joy are not necessary to laugh, nor is laughter facilitated through the relaying of humorous jokes. Group laughter exercises are designed to enhance mood, and the cardio-vascular and immune systems. The exercises promote playfulness and group cohesion with the idea that joy may later follow.
Lynn Caesar, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist practicing psychotherapy with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families for over 25 years. She has formally studied herbalism, Laughter Yoga, and is a certified laughter leader through Dr. Madan Kataria's school of Laughter Yoga and the World Laughter Tour. She has offices in Arlington and Sudbury, MA. She runs the Arlington Laughter club.
Sudhanshu Misra, M.S, M.Ed is a clinical coordinator with Framingham based Advocates, Inc. Prior to coming to the United States, Sudhanshu worked as a newspaper editor, teacher, and school counselor. He has been practicing meditation for over 33 years. He is widely traveled in Europe, Asia and North America. Sudhanshu was taught meditation in India as a family tradition at age 13. This ancient tradition was carefully passed on through generations from family elders to pupils. Sudhanshu says that his family's gift of Dhyana Meditation is easy to learn and practice because it utilizes the natural tendencies of the mind.
For more information or to register, please contact Lynn Caesar at 781-641-1353.