Facilitation Technique Category: Anger Management

Activity Title: Meditation: Mindfulness Exercises

Source: www.pocketmindfulness.com/ , Calming Your Angry Mind: How Mindfulness and
Compassion Can Free You from anger and bring peace to your life By Jeffrey Brantley,
www.greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/mindfulness, www.mindfulschools.org/training/mindfulschools-certification/, Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation
Equipment: Digital Music Player, Notepad
Activity Description: Although anger is a common emotion, if expressed inappropriately, or
experienced for prolonged periods of time, it can become problematic. Mindfulness Meditation
serves as an intervention for anger. It is a practice where one maintains a non-stop awareness of
their thoughts, feelings, body senses, and surroundings. The purpose of this activity is to rely on
mindfulness to manage anger and other painful emotions. Mindfulness meditation helps develop
awareness, and understanding, helping one become more compassionate, kind and loving. The
first exercise is Mindful Breathing, and it can be done standing or sitting, anywhere, at any time.
Have participants begin to breathe in and out through their nose slowly for about six seconds.
Instruct participants to let go of all their thoughts and purposefully watch their breath. Then have
participants practice Mindful Observation where its designed to connect participants with the
natural environment. Have participants choose a natural object in their immediate environment,
focusing and observing it for a couple minutes. It can be a plant or even or the clouds just as long
as their concentration allows. In Mindful Listening, this exercise is designed to open the ears to
listen attentively. Have participants listen to a piece of music that theyre familiar with or theyve
never heard beforehand. Instruct participants to close their eyes and listen to the music. The
purpose is to not get drawn into judging the music but to get lost in the sound. Exploring every
aspect of track even if they dont like the music, allows them to let go of any dislike and
distraction. In this last exercise, Mindful Appreciation, have participants acknowledge five things
that usually goes unappreciated in their day. Have them use a notepad to check off those five
things by the end of the session/program. The point of this exercise is to simply be thankful and
appreciative of things that may seem insignificant in life.
Leadership considerations: CTRS will functions as an instructor. It is recommended that the
therapist is certified in the practice of Mindfulness. The certification allows one to be a
competent presenter on mindfulness to a variety of different populations teaching and facilitation
skills. The certification also trains in teaching and facilitation skills that will aid in
meditation practices. Before any session, the therapist should be aware of any current or
historical medical conditions, and that includes mental health. This is important so that the
possible causes of the participants anger is identified. This allows sessions to be tailored to
complement their needs.
Adaptations: Participants with Hearing Impairments: Individuals with hearing impairment have
a hearing loss that prevents them from receiving sounds through the ear. Hearing is critical to
mindfulness meditation especially in regards to instructions and several techniques. To ensure a
successful session, an audiologist or teacher of the deaf for support. Hearing aids can also be

adapted especially during Mindful Listening. Hearing aids amplify quieter sounds easily in the
participants own comfortable range. Being that hearing devices are limited to multiple
instrument and complex music sounds, adding a program for music on the aid can give the
participant the experience of music. Participants with ADHD: Individuals with attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder deals with an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivityimpulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. The participant can have difficulty
keeping focus, an imperative part of mindfulness meditation. This meditation can be adapted by
having participants meditate for shorter amount of time, about of five minutes at a time.
Individuals with ADHD tend to be visual learners. CTRS can use visuals such as pictures or
videos to explain what mindful awareness and to give instructions.

Adaptations References
By the age of four or five, most children who are deaf are.. (n.d.). Hearing Impairments - Project
IDEAL. Retrieved September 29, 2016, from http://www.projectidealonline.org/v/hearingimpairments/
Mindfulness Skills Useful in Addressing ADHD | Psych Central. (2016). Retrieved September
30, 2016, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/mindfulness-skills-useful-in-addressing-adhd/
National Deaf Children's Society. (n.d.). How to make music activities accessible for deaf
children and young people [PDF].
NIMH Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2016, from
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml

Facilitation Technique Category: Therapeutic Use of Humor

Title: Laughter Yoga: Poses

Source: Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation Leadership
and Programming by Robin Kunstler, Frances Stavola Daly, Laughter Yoga: Exercises, Jokes and
Spiritual Stories by Nils Horn
Equipment: Yoga Mat
Activity Description: Integrating humor into activities, as well as implementing a therapeutic
humor or humor therapy can help clients relax, reduce anxiety and distract them from their pain.
Laughter yoga is an intervention involving prolonged voluntary laughter. The purpose of this
activity is to use yoga techniques and poses including laughter. In Laughter Yoga, first have
participants lie on their back and relax. Have them reflect on the joke in something in their life
for that day. If they cant think of a joke, ask them to laugh without reason. To get into the yoga
aspect, have participants complete the following yoga poses: Lift the right leg and stretch it out
and laugh. Do the same for the left leg. Then lift both legs and the head, hold the position and
laugh as long as possible. Still lying in the supine position, bring energy into the spine. Move the
pelvis to the right and the head to the left. Do the same for the opposite side. When moving the
head, laugh to the left and to the right. For the next pose, lie on the stomach and lift the right leg.
Hold the position and release a laugh. Then lift the left leg up, hold the position and release a
laugh. For the last pose sit in Indian style. Keep back straight and lay hands on the abdomen.
Laugh from the belly for a moment. Then lift hands, high and outstretch, laugh as if the laughter
was being sent out to the world. Repeat, May all beings be happy. May there be a happy world
To end the session, have participants lie back on their back and tense the muscles of the legs and
feet. Relax, then tense the muscles of the arms and the hand, then relax. Do the same for the head
and the face, then relax.
Leadership considerations: CTRS functions would function as an instructor for this activity. It is
recommended that the therapist possesses a Yoga Instructor Certification. With it instructors
develop the attributes they need to facilitate students learning and awareness in yoga. Being
certified as a laughter instructor is also recommended. Humor Therapy in general is something
that people can be hesitant and uncomfortable with at first. Being certified prepares a CTRS to
comfortably lead groups in Laughter Yoga exercises.
Adaptations: Participants with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is known as one of the
most disabling types of arthritis. This disease causes pain, stiffness, and swelling and limits the
motion and function of many joints. It can even cause permanent disability. To ensure a safe
painless session, this intervention can be adapted for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis by
doing Laughter Chair yoga instead. The floor and mat can be painful especially for a long period
of time. So many yoga poses can be done on the chair, activating different parts of the body just
as in regular yoga. The only genuine requirements are a chair or other means of sitting such as a
wheelchair.
Participants with Visual Impairments: A visual impairment is classified according to the level of
functional vision including low vision, functionally blind, and totally blind. These visual
conditions impact individuals ability to complete the activities of leisure and of everyday life. To

ensure full participation and a successful session, the intervention can be adapted by doing one to
one sessions. One to one sessions move at a slower pace, as instructors focus on assisting the
challenges specific to each student. Participants can choose if they mind personal contact or not
for extra guidance. This intervention can also be adapted by using a visually impaired yoga mat.
The mat allows independence from instructors for participants that are visually impaired. The
mat contains marking that help keep the participants head and back aligned while performing the
yoga poses. The mat also included foot and hand places that offers as a guide on placement.
Braille is also incorporated in the mat for additional instruction and guidance. It offers so much
more orientation and stability on the mat allowing participants to achieve all the different
positions.

Adaptations References - By Rachel Brahinsky | Aug 28, 2007. (2007). One-on-One Time Yoga Journal. Retrieved September 30, 2016, from
http://www.yogajournal.com/article/teach/one-on-one-time/
Diseases and Conditions. (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2016, from
http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions
Rohnfeld, E., & Oppenheimer, A. (2011). Chair yoga: Seated exercises for health and wellbeing.
London: Singing Dragon.
Rousettus. (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2016, from http://rousettus.com/
Visual Impairments - Project IDEAL. (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2016, from
http://www.projectidealonline.org/v/visual-impairments/