A group of local Laughter Yoga practitioners will lead a Laughter Yoga session on Sunday, May 7.
Fif Fernandes, Hamish Boyd and Matti Anttila are Certified Laughter Yoga Teachers.
They lead laughter sessions without any jokes, humour or comedy. Instead, they encourage participants to stimulate the feel-good hormones using laughter exercises.
The founder of Laughter Yoga, Dr. Madan Kataria, who began the practice in 1996 in Mumbai, India, explains there are many benefits to laughing for no reason, including reducing stress.
From there it has spread to thousands of clubs in more than 100 countries around the world.
Now, Certified Laughter Yoga Teachers in the Cowichan Valley will lead a “Laugh-for-no-reason” session at Glenora Community Hall grounds outside at 11 a.m. to noon on Sunday, May 7.
“When something dramatic happens, we sometimes say, one day we will look back at this and laugh. We have found a way for that ‘one day’ to be sooner. Why wait years to laugh at it? This technology holds promise for us to lead happier lives by releasing the grip of negative events and doing it sooner rather than later,” said Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher Matti Anttila.
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The Duncan Rotary Club is holding a major fundraiser 2023 Heart of Gold Auction to benefit Smokey the horse of the Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association and other Cowichan programs.
“This major fundraiser will enable the club to support many local programs geared towards youth and the community,” said Duncan Rotary Club President Andrew Dowsett.
Funds will sponsor a horse named Smokey, and the auction features more than 100 items, from gift cards to art.
Check them out online at https://auctria.events/RotaryHeartofGoldAuction2023
The online auction runs until May 12, when the club will host a wine and cheese event at the Duncan Curling Club on Sherman Road, starting at 6:30 p.m. The evening will feature a live, in person auction for unique and special “experience” items including an afternoon on a pontoon boat on Lake Cowichan or an evening backyard pizza party. Tickets for the wine and cheese event are available on the auction website.
Other programs supported by the auction include:
• The Dolly Parton Imagination Library, promoting literacy by providing free books to children up to age five;
• The Pregnancy Food Connection program with the Margaret Moss Health Centre, contributing to the birth of healthy babies by providing nourishing food to pregnant women;
• The Student-of-the-Month program, recognizing exceptional young people in the local school district.
The club has also supported Nourish Cowichan, Providence Farm, Cowichan Sportsplex, Cowichan Green Community, Hospice House and many others.
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Local Cycle of Life Tour team Cowichan Life Cyclers will take part in a Spin-a-Thon against Comox Valley Hospice Society’s Team Cyclepaths on May 13 for fundraising and bragging rights.
On May 13, both teams will set up shop at their local Canadian Tire stores. The Cowichan team will spin from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by to cheer on the team and make a donation, or donate online at Cycleoflifetour.ca for Cowichan Life Cyclers.
Cowichan Hospice is a registered charity that has been providing compassionate support to the Cowichan community for 40 years, thanks to the generous support of the community. The Cycle of Life Tour is in its 10th year of raising funds for hospice.
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Attention crafters: the Duncan library is hosting a Craft Supply Swap on Thursday, May 18.
Before the event, people are invited to drop off new or gently used supplies at the library desk from May 8 to 12. When you donate you’ll get a ticket for early entry, which runs from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. But you don’t have to make a donation to attend. The event is open to all from 11 a.m to 7 p.m. Just bring items in original packaging or labelled bags. No more than two bags per household.
Accepted items include fabric, sewing and embroidery thread, notions, jewelry making supplies, crafting/scrapbooking paper, craft kits, craft books, rubber stamps, yarn, hooks, and needles.