110: Life is Illogical, Laugh about It with Alex Sternick

Have you ever attended a laughter session where most of the exercises are gibberish? It is fun, and it comes with a load of benefits for the mind, body, and soul. According to Alex Sternick, life is illogical, and we need to laugh about it because we cannot control it. 

Alex Sternick is our guest today. Alex has a BSc.in Clinical Nutrition. He is an expert and internationally recognized practitioner of ART OF NONSENSE and Laughter Therapy. Alex is the man behind laughter yoga clubs in Israel. Alex began his laughter journey in India in 2003, where he worked with terminally ill patients. Then he practiced in Ethiopia as a laughter therapist in Mother’s Mission and a nutritionist with SaveTheChildren USA.

These experiences inspired him to bring laughter yoga to Israel. In 2004, he started the first laughter club in Jerusalem and brought the leading experts to the country, including Dr. Madan Kataria and World Laughter Master Belachew Girma, to run workshops. Alex has also worked with Israelis and Arabs to bring these diverse groups together through laughter and nonsense.

Key Talking Points of the Episode:

[02:00] How Alex discovered laughter yoga

[20:16] Did laughter help Alex deal with his childhood traumas?

[26:51] What is a trauma?

[32:28] How gibberish works for the brain and the body

[38:22] A beautiful story of an Arab Israeli lady

[42:29] Connect with Alex

[44:26] Three things that bring Alex joy

Standout Quotes from the Episode: 

“We should accept the fact that things are illogical. And what is left is to laugh about it.”

“In our hospitals, we’re dealing with scientific facts. But the last thing which can be scientific is a human being.”

“You cannot cope with a tsunami when you’re always in this planning mindset, linear, and try to force the reality and the external world to behave according to your logic.”

“When you have enough oxygen in the body, you cannot get cancer.”

“I know many people who do laughter yoga, and they are unhappy. You must face your dark side at will.”

Connect with Alex:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-sternick-bsc-in-clinic-nutr-22414b29/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.sternick 

Website: http://laughter.co.il/a 

What did you learn from this episode?

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The Laughter Man, Pete Cann, is on a fun-filled mission to bring the positive benefits of laughter to the world. Since discovering Laughter Yoga, company owner Pete has transformed his business and family life and now wants to share his infectious secrets and get the planet laughing along with him.

You’ll find Pete, his trademark red hat, and his happy vibe on the following channels.