Laughing with Laura

NOW YOU CAN BECOME A CERTIFIED LAUGHTER YOGA TEACHER

2012-02-01T08:10:00.000-08:00

So you’re a Laughter Yoga Leader and you’d like to take your laughing career to the next level? Then, it’s time to become a certified Laughter Yoga Teacher. Learn more about laughter yoga and how to effectively teach certified Laughter Yoga Leader courses of your own. I am going to be teaching the teacher course in an awesome wilderness retreat setting in Southwest Wisconsin March 30 through April 3rd.

Students have been wildly enthusiastic about learning laughter yoga at a retreat center. So, by popular demand, I am offering a spring retreat at Sugar Creek Bible Camp in Ferryville, Wisconsin. The facility is accredited by the American Camp Association. Here, you can get away from your everyday stresses and relax in a beautiful environment, explore trails, laugh through a spiritual labyrinth, gather around a campfire, and luxuriate in a wood burning sauna. It is just a half hour from the LaCrosse, Wisconsin airport. Rides can be arranged for you if you are flying in or taking Amtrak.

As a Laughter Yoga Teacher student, you will will have the opportunity to observe and assist me as I teach a Laughter Yoga Leader course. You will have additional meeting times during the weekend to get a behind-the-scenes look at the way in which a class is led.

Then, after the leader students graduate and leave the camp, you will stay for another two and a half days to go deeper and learn all the practical information necessary to teach certified Laughter Yoga Leader courses.

As a bonus, you will have the opportunity to lead a laughter yoga session with a large group of senior citizens who will be coming to the camp on Monday. This is an excellent occasion for practice.

Tuition for this course is $795, the standard set by Laughter Yoga International. Not only does it include the 5 days of intensive instruction, it also includes a Be Laughter CD, a signed copy of The Little Book of Big Laughs, a Live a Laughing Life poster and a Laughter Inspiration poster. You will receive a copy of my original laughter yoga manual and an official laughter yoga teacher manual, published by Laughter Yoga International. Upon graduation, you will receive the official Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher diploma, signed by Dr. and Mrs. Madan Kataria. You'll also receive the resource pack of CDs and DVDs from Laughter Yoga International and you'll get a free year of "Prozone" at www.LaughterYoga.org where you'll be able to advertise your upcoming Laughter Yoga Leader seminars.

Accommodation at the camp is in the modern Log Cabin Village pictured above. These upscale retreat lodgings are shared with up to seven persons per cabin. Each cabin has a covered porch, a small sitting area with a fireplace and bathroom and shower facilities.

The camp chef will pamper us with healthy, home-cooked meals. Vegetarian options will be provided. And in between those meals, there will be ample snacks and beverages for you. The hospitality can't be beat!

Cost for the four nights and all food is just $160, bringing the total investment to $975. This is an incredible value, as you will have great potential earning power once you are a certified Laughter Yoga Teacher.

WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR

• Therapists and Healers

• Pastors and Spiritual Leaders

• Recreation Activity Facilitators

• Yoga/Tai Chi/physical fitness trainers

• Occupational Therapists

• Psychologists and Psychotherapists

• Nurses and Healthcare Workers

• Counselors

• Social Workers

• Professional Speakers

• HR Trainers

• Comedians and other enthusiastic laughers

THINGS YOU WILL RECEIVE

• Official Laughter Yoga International Teaching Manual

• Laughing Laura’s original Laughter Manual

• The Laughter Yoga Resource Pack DVD and CD set, which includes video clips showing international news coverage, laughter yoga in the business world, laughter yoga in schools, scientific research on laughter yoga and articles and photos for press and media

• An official Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher diploma

• One year free Prozone subscription at www.LaughterYoga.org, a $60 value!

• A daily solo practice CD called “Be Laughter” (www.BeLaughter.com)

• Two full color 11” x 17” laughter inspiration posters

• A signed copy of Laughing Laura’s book of laughter and yogic breathing exercises, The Little Book of Big Laughs

EXPERTISE YOU WILL GAIN

• An in-depth understanding Dr. Madan Kataria’s laughter yoga method and the history and philosophy behind it

• A knowledge of how to adapt laughter yoga practices for a variety of groups including the elderly, physically and mentally challenged, children, prisoners, and business professionals

• Ways to inhabit the inner spirit of laughter and deepen your spirituality through daily laughter and yogic breathing practice

• Tips for growing a laughter yoga business, including gaining media attention and putting on a killer businesses presentation

• The practical skills necessary to plan, promote and lead a life-changing Laughter Yoga Leader course

Space is limited at this highly-sought retreat so enroll as soon as possible. To do so, go to www.LaughterYogaIowa.com.

“Laughing Laura is amazing! I made no mistake in selecting her to be one of the first Laughter Yoga Master Trainers in the USA and awarding her the title of Laughter Ambassador. She speaks from her heart and inspires people with her true, joyful spirit. Her knowledge of Laughter Yoga and her teaching skills are incredible. Laughing Laura is surely one of my best Laughter Professors."

—Dr. Madan Kataria, Laughter Yoga Founder

APRIL FOOL'S DAY LAUGHTER YOGA LEADER RETREAT

2012-01-26T17:50:00.001-08:00

March 30—April 1, 2012 • Ferryville, Wisconsin • Now Enrolling!

Earn lifetime certification as a Laughter Yoga Leader by enrolling in this upcoming April Fool's Day retreat to be held at a wilderness camp in the rolling hills of southwest Wisconsin.

Most certified Laughter Yoga Leader courses are offered as a two-day seminar. While this format works, I have found that teaching it over a slightly longer period of time in a retreat setting works even better. Students have been wildly enthusiastic about learning laughter yoga in this way. So, by popular demand, I am offering a spring retreat at Sugar Creek Bible Camp in Ferryville, Wisconsin. The facility is accredited by the American Camp Association. Here, you can get away from your everyday stresses and relax in a beautiful environment.

The retreat begins Friday, March 30 at 6:00 p.m. We’ll gather in the octagonal meeting cabin for opening session. Then we’ll laugh, tell stories and roast marshmallows around a campfire in the evening. After that, the camp’s wood burning sauna will be fired up and ready for us.

On Saturday, we'll spend the entire day laughing, learning, bonding, and eating delicious food. As part of the experience, we’ll laugh our way through the camp’s labyrinth and deepen our spiritual joy. You’ll be given some free time in the afternoon so you can explore the camp’s trails, visit with your laughter friends or curl up in your cabin for a nap. That evening, we’ll have a full-blown costume party, complete with games, gibberish singing and dancing.

Sunday—April Fool's Day—the fun continues with more practice, brunch, and the crafting of our laughing life plans. The retreat concludes with a rollicking graduation ceremony in which you’ll laugh "Pomp and Circumstance," take the laughter pledge and be zealously awarded your laughing degree-he-he. Believe me, you’ve never had such fun at graduation ceremony. We’ll then take our class pictures and be finished and ready to hit the road by 2:00 p.m. that afternoon.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to study laughter yoga at a retreat. The tuition is $295 (the international standard for this course, set by Laughter Yoga International) and includes all instruction to certify you as a Laughter Yoga Leader, my original manual, The Little Book of Big Laughs, a Be Laughter CD, two posters and a full color diploma professionally printed with your name.

Accommodation at the camp is in the modern Log Cabin Village. These upscale retreat lodgings are shared with up to seven persons per cabin. Each cabin has a covered porch, a small sitting area with a fireplace and bathroom and shower facilities.

Cost for the two nights and all food is just $80, bringing the grand total for the weekend experience to $375. This is much more affordable than staying at a hotel and dining out.

Below are testimonials from two laughing graduates who took the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga certified Laughter Yoga Leader retreat at Sugar Creek.

Space is limited at this highly-sought retreat so enroll as soon as possible. To do so, click the convenient Paypal button below to make your $200 deposit or call 563-880-2699 to make payment by credit card. To enroll by mail, please fill out the application form and send a check payable to Laughing Laura to: P.O. Box 11, Marquette, IA 52158. The balance is to be paid at the start of the retreat. Register with a friend and you’ll each receive $35 off your tuition plus a free CD or DVD.

INTRODUCING MY NEW LAUGHTER INSPIRATION POSTER

2012-01-14T11:45:00.000-08:00

You’re looking at my latest laughter poster (click it to increase the size). To inspire you and make you smile, I have selected 22 fun quotes that include the word “Laughter” and put them together to create this colorful work of art.

The 11” x 17” poster is currently in production and will release on or before February first. That means, you can pre-order it now and get FREE SHIPPING! It is $4.95 and for a limited time I’m offering the “Friend Pack” of 3 posters for just $9.95. That way, you can share it with your laughter friends and thus do your part to increase world laughter. Very good, very good, YAY! So run (or at least do a silly walk) to The Laughter Shoppe right now and place your order. Thanks!

INTERNATIONAL LAUGHTER YOGA WEBSITE REPORTS ON THE AFRICAN LAUGHTER CONFERENCE

2012-01-12T16:29:00.000-08:00

Laughteryoga.org, the international laughter yoga website, has just posted a news story about the first Laughter Yoga Conference in Africa. I'm reposting it below. Click here to see it at the website.

The First African Laughter Yoga Conference

The First African Laughter Yoga & Alternate Healing Conference 2011 was held in Durban, South Africa on the 24/25 November. The conference was co-ordinated by Sheroma Surajnarayan and was opened with a prayer by Rev. William Gentry, a congressional minister from United States of America.

Sheroma Suraj-Narayan microbiologist and director of the African Laughter Yoga Institute delivered the key note address welcoming the conference delegates and emphasising the theme of Humour, Hope and Healing through traditional healing practices and Laughter Yoga. She also outlined her work with Laughter Yoga, together with Dr. Gita Suraj-Narayan, in South Africa, having transformed the lives of over 10,000 people through the healing system of Laughter Yoga.

Rev. Laura Gentry Director of the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga and Pastor of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, USA said Laughter Yoga is an incredible tool for nurturing spiritual growth. In this enlightening workshop, delegates learnt about the teachings on joy from major world religions and how Laughter Yoga can be integrated into these religious practices. As a minister, Rev. Laura Gentry shared firsthand how holy hilarity has enhanced her pastoral care.

Rev. Laura Gentry founded the first Laughter Club at church and is known as the laughing pastor. Five years ago, she opened the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga and has been a pioneer in spreading the laughter movement throughout the United States and around the world. She has now led Laughter Yoga in 5 continents and was selected by Dr. Madan Kataria as the first woman in America to become a Master Trainer of Laughter Yoga. Also a Laughter Ambassador, Laura has produced a number of creative, laughter resources including six CDs, a book and the film “Laugh Friends: A Laughter Yoga Workout for Kids.” With twenty years of ministry and motivational speaking experience, Laughing Laura brought radiant energy and wisdom to the Laughter Yoga workshop.

Dr. Gita Suraj-Narayan Researcher, Laughter Yoga teacher, lecturer, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal presented a scientific paper on the positive biopsycho-social impacts of Laughter Yoga on patients with dreaded and non-communicable diseases. She found that Laughter Yoga can be used as complementary alternate medicine and is the most cost-effective non-pharmacological intervention for patients in developing and 3rd world countries. She provided an overview on Ayurvedic practices and explained that we all have the potential to facilitate our own healing and demonstrated simple but effective tools and techniques. She combined ayurvedic practices with Laughter Yoga to inject positivity and bring about transformation in a practical, accessible manor that delegates can use everyday.

Katharina Aniya Mies from Switzerland presented a paper on holistic integrated healing, EFT Emotional Freedom Techniques while Bhupendra Suraj-Narayan a web developer from Pretoria presented a paper on the use of web analytics in determining the effectiveness of a website in promoting an alternate healing business. Thokozani Jali social work supervisor presented a paper on African Traditional Healing Practices which contrary to western medical practice focuses on treating the individual on a physical, emotional and spiritual level. Thokozani described the processes involved in traditional healing and demonstrated the use of indigenous plants in treatment and prevention of illnesses.

The second day of the conference marked the beginning of 16 days of Activism against women and child abuse. Participants talked about the importance of this campaign and the need for South African citizens to take a stand against gender-based violence and abuse and the need to laugh, laugh, laugh to promote peace, harmony and a non-violent society.

Barbara Scogings, Coach and Trainer in Emotional Quotient and Spiritual Quotient spoke about spiritual intelligence in today's world and high-lighted practical ways to stay spiritually grounded. Dr. Raksha Balbadhur a medical practitioner spoke about values in health care. She highlighted the need to explore alternate healing practices to complement medical interventions. She finished off her presentation with a guided meditation, leaving delegates rejuvenated and energised. Dr Sharad Hansjee a homeopath and therapeutic reflexologist also talked about the importance of homoeopathy within the medical and healing paradigm as an alternative approach to healthcare.

The conference was a huge success and delegates left the hotel feeling rejuvenated, energetic and healed from within. Many of the delegates were senior citizens and stroke survivors who greatly benefited from the workshops and seminars. The conference had an atmosphere filled with laughter, singing and dancing, which constitutes the three states of joy! The conference culminated in an exchange of skills, knowledge, resources and an African, Asian and European Alternate Healing Forum, which aims to promote alternate healing practices throughout the world.

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Photos by William F. Gentry ll

CEDAR RAPIDS GAZETTE ARTICLE

2012-01-06T05:02:00.000-08:00

The Cedar Rapids Gazette just ran an article about the laughing work I've been doing in Iowa and beyond. It's reprinted below. The link to it at the Gazette's site is: http://thegazette.com/2012/01/06/“ha-ha-ha-ho-ho-ho”-laughter-is-best-medicine/

“Ha, ha, ha, ho, ho, ho,” Laughter is Best Medicine

LANSING — “Ha, ha, ha, ho, ho, ho, hee, hee, hee.”

Laughing Laura Gentry greets everybody she meets in the same way.

“Hahaha” reads the license plate on her little blue Mini-Cooper S.

“Ha, ha, ha,” she begins every weekly session of the Lansing Laughter Club at Our Savior Lutheran Church where, at 41, she’s been pastor for ten years.

The laughter for Laura began in 2006. She has since spread it around the world, laughing on five continents with her laughter yoga program.

In fact, Laura was in Durbin, South Africa, last month for the COP17 convention where attendees wrung their hands over the potential disastrous fallout of global warming. They obviously needed a little laughter.

“By some estimates,” Laura says, “we should be laughing 20 minutes a day. Most people laugh 15 times a day but for only 1.2 seconds each time.”

Laura was one of those.

“I was feeling particularly stressed in my profession,” she says. “It has a high burnout rate.”

Caring for a congregation is 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from birth to death. You know the burdens other people carry and share in their concerns.

Laura’s husband, William Gentry II, also experienced the stress, although on another level. He’s a black man in a predominately white community as minister of the First Congregational Church in McGregor. (They live in that church’s parsonage.) She’s quick to say the communities readily accepted the mixed-race, mixed denominational couple.

Laura and William met at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif., and married in 1996. He’s from Alaska. She was born in Cedar Rapids and grew up in Illinois, Wisconsin and Dubuque. After five years in Los Angeles, they came to Iowa. As she’s expanded her laughter program, he’s pursued professional photography.

“We love Iowa,” Laura says, laughing. “Some people don’t get us here, but they tolerate us.”

The laughter, she admits, has become an important aspect of the Gentrys taking care of themselves, too.

“It’s miraculous to me how a little laughter can do so much for people,” Laura says.

Following the principals of Dr. Madan Kataria who started laughter sessions in India and brought his teachings to California, Laura incorporated her experience in dance, the arts and public speaking into “The Iowa School of Laughter Yoga.” She and William have produced books, videos and a website, www.laughinglaura.com, extolling laughter’s benefits. Her audiences range from executives in suits at GE Healthcare in Wisconsin to students in Chile where she and William laughed their way across the country for three weeks.

“Laughter is this universal language,” Laura says, “and we learned how true that is.”

The yoga aspect of Laura’s sessions comes not in the exercise so much as the controlled breathing with the fits of laughter. Even if you force yourself to laugh, you get the benefits. Plus, it can become contagious and develop into genuine laughter.

In a recent session Laura had participants shake their hands, roll their shoulders, hop around, breathe deeply like weeds blowing in the wind, walk with an arm extended as if they were elephants. “I am happy,” they chanted. “I am relaxed. I am happy. I am relaxed.”

“Because we don’t tell jokes,” Laura says, “nobody is being laughed at. It’s just playful laughter.”

She had everyone hold a hand over theirs noses, pretending it was a mask for laughing gas. They panted like a dog and wagged their tails. They pretended to breathe through their right ears because, as Laura said, “You can’t do it and that’s what makes it funny.”

At one point, everyone sat in a circle and smiled at each other until it became a grin and then all out laughter. It put everyone in a positive mood which, with exercise, can become habitual.

“No sense of humor is required,” Laura says, “but humor leads to laughter and laughter leads to humor.”

Comments: (319) 398-8323; dave.rasdal@sourcemedia.net

LAUGHING RADIO INTERVIEW NOW ON YOUTUBE

2012-01-01T15:13:00.000-08:00

Here are the fun, laughing interviews I recently did for a local radio station. They kindly gave me the recordings when they were done airing them so I've put them together, added visuals and put it on YouTube.

FIRST LAUGHTER YOGA CONFERENCE IN LATIN AMERICA

2011-12-22T16:38:00.000-08:00

Laughteryoga.org, the international laughter yoga website, has just posted a news story about the first Laughter Yoga Conference in Latin America, at which I presented a program of Holy Hilarity. I'm reposting it below. Click here to see it at the website.

Dr. Nathan Mansbach, Mexico: The First Annual Latin-American Laughter Yoga Conference was held in Mexico City in October, 2011 with about 50 participants from different countries: Mexico, Venezuela, USA, Chile and Ecuador. It was an inspiring weekend full of joy and laughter with many laughter professionals presented their reports on how Laughter Yoga has helped them in their different pursuits. The conference opened with a brief party followed by an incredible night tour around Mexico City on a double-decker “Laughter Bus”, where all riders had a great time laughing, singing, dancing and interacting with citizens in a city that stays alive until late night.

Besides the fun and entertainment, there was reading of papers by laughter teachers which helped to generate more awareness about the benefits of laughter and how it has helped millions of people worldwide to keep good health. Adrian Hernandez B. (Mexico - “Ho-Ho Music”) showed us how we can utilize music, dance and play in Laughter Yoga, and how much creativity we all possess to compose and decompose a song, so that we can apply it in our sessions. Erika Ruiz (Venezuela - “Forget about Memory”) explained how Laughter Yoga can help seniors with memory loss, with or without Alzheimer, by reducing their frustration or anxiety when they cannot remember things and when they feel alone. Luis Gomez, (Mexico - “Unleash your Joy”) made everyone cry and laugh with a touching presentation about his work in prisons, and surprised all participants by bringing into stage a recently freed woman prisoner, who shared her experience in jail and how Laughter Yoga helped her during the last months.

Abby and Giovanni Pinango from Venezuela talked about how they fought breast cancer with ‘opportunity and positivity’. They now apply Laughter Yoga to manage stress and anxiety in breast cancer patients. Shanda (Mexico) delighted us with ‘Zorba the Buddha’ an Osho meditation that focuses on a human beings capable of enjoying and celebrating earthly pleasures just as Zorba the Greek did, and at the same time, remaining in the silence serenity of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha. Sebastien Gendry (USA) “Pranayahahama” shared his expertise in the applications of Pranayama to our Laughter Yoga practice and how one can obtain full benefits from various routines of diaphragmatic breathing.

Laughter Yoga sessions were also conducted by new Laughter Yoga teachers which were very inspiring. Ricardo Llorente (Ecuador - “Laughter Yoga and Addictions”) reported on how patients accounted a 100% healing rate by applying laughter exercises and meditation into their activities in a local clinic. Laura Gentry, ‘The Laughing Pastor’ from USA guided all participants into a hilarious presentation on how can Laughter Yoga can fit within traditional religious practice and how it makes us more soulful, compassionate and connected. Adriana Castro and Alejandra Lopez (Mexico - “Laughter without Tickles”) took us on a playful journey of Laughter Yoga for children based on an educative model of human development with positive attitude, promoting values of peace and non-violence. And once again, Sebastien Gendry from USA shared his expertise on how to apply Laughter Yoga in companies.

And last but not the least, we would like to emphasize that beyond our learning experience, the Congress created a deep connection and a family bonding atmosphere that permeated our souls through endless unconditional love, compassion, joyful dancing and service.

Looking forward to laughing with you next year in our 2nd Latin-American Laughter Yoga Conference in Mexico! Ha ha.

LAUGHING IN SOUTH AFRICA

2011-12-15T14:16:00.000-08:00

Laughter yoga is truly amazing in how it brings people together. It continues to spread across the globe and is now practiced in over 70 countries. My husband, William, and I have had the opportunity to travel to other countries to lead laughter yoga and connect with other laughter yogis. This winter, we went to South Africa. It was the fifth continent on which I've led laughter yoga! Laughter is truly the universal language. In this blog post, I'm sharing some pictures from our South African experience. Double click on images to see them larger.

From November 15 until December 9, 2011, we (the Gentrys) traveled to South Africa to present at the first Laughter Yoga and Alternative Healing Conference.

South Africa is located at the bottom of the continent.

The conference was held in Durban, which is marked on this map.

We've just arrived in South Africa!

In Phoenix, near Durban, we stayed with the Surajnarayan family. We'd met them last year at the laughter yoga conference in Australia. They have conducted ground breaking research and have won the Oprah Magazine World Changer Award. See article here. On the first day of our visit, Dr. Gita was conducting a certified laughter yoga seminar. This is graduation ceremony for her student. I assisted in her training.

Toko with her certificate of graduation from the Dr. Kataria School of Laughter Yoga. Gita and I are pictured with her. She will be using laughter yoga in her social work, particularly with children all around the South Coast.

Along with Gita and Sheroma, I volunteered to lead laughter yoga with patients at the community clinic in Verlum. We brightened the folks in the waiting room of the psyciatric clinic by sharing laughter yoga with them.

Look at what a happy group they became. Laughter yoga made them so obviously joyful.

Here I am overlooking the whole clinic.

William and I with a leader at the Hare Krishna Temple, which we visited.

Gita demonstrates "Snail Mail"—you see, the snails attack and eat the mail in her mailbox.

The pier in Durban—our first view of the Indian Ocean.

The Durban coastline.

We joined Gita and Sheroma for their regular laughter club at the Verlum Day and Frail Care Center. Here, they have been running a vibrant laughter club with the elderly. They have even conducted ground breaking research on the positive effects of laughter yoga on stroke patients. Here I am in front of the building.

We prepared for the laughter club meeting.

Here I am leading laughter exercises with the club.

They even taught me how to say "Very Good, Very Good, Yay!" in Zulu.

The man on my right is one of the "miracle cases" that Dr. Gita has documented. Before doing laughter yoga, his stroke prevented him from speaking or walking. But after doing it for a while, he regained his ability to do both. It is hard to imagine a more enthusiastic laugher! Laughter literally gave him his life back.

Here I am with one of the laughter club members.

Just for fun, Gita dressed William up like an Indian groom at an Indian clothing store.

And I got to dress like an Indian bride.

Laughing in the yard.

We met up with another laughter yoga teacher, Katharina Mies from Baden, Switzerland. Here, we are doing "Raging Ape" laughter at the mall.

Their dog, Milo, and me!

This is the incredible view from the Blue Waters Hotel, at which the laughter conference was held.

To open the conference, Bhupendra Surajnarayan played a song.

Here I am getting ready for my presentation, entitled "Holy Hysterics."

One of the conference delegates, a Zulu woman from the Frail and Day Care Center Laughter Club.

Sheroma introducing me.

A few scenes from my presentation.

The group enjoying tea time.

Katharina's presentation.

Delicious buffet lunch at the hotel's dining room.

In addition to presenting at the Laughter Yoga and Alternative Healing Conference, Dr. Gita and I had the opportunity to lead a laughter yoga session with an international group of scientists who were gathering to prepare for the Cop 17 Conference being held in Durban the following week. They had a fabulous time laughing and as a result, Gita and Sheroma got invited to lead more laughter yoga at the Cop 17 event.

We helped them find more joy, hope and creativity with laughter yoga, which is important for these scientists in their research.

William and I with another one of the presenters at the laughter conference.

Bhupendra, opening the second day of the conference.

Another one of the speakers.

Toko, recent laughter yoga graduate, was a presenter on traditional African medicine.

Toko showed us some herbs used for healing in traditional African medicine.

The final speaker at the conference.

A number of the laughter club members from the Verlum Day and Frail Care Center attended the conference. They were very happy to be a part of the event. I'm pictured with four of them here.

Gita with her daughter and son.

On the last day in Duban, we went to the beach.

William with Bhupendra and Sheroma.

The Blue Waters Hotel at dusk.

Bhupendra, Gita, Sheroma, William, Katharina and me at lunch.

Some of the conference presenters.

Bhupendra and Sheroma sang some songs during the conference so everyone could get up and dance. The oldest people there seemed to be the most enthusiastic!

Here is the whole group at the conference.

Following the conference in Duban, we went to Cape Town, then took a train up to Johannesburg and went on a safari. Below are links to all these pictures at our Gentry Joint blog.

DURBAN
http://thegentryjointll.blogspot.com/2011/11/durban-south-africa.html

CAPE TOWN
http://thegentryjointll.blogspot.com/2011/12/cape-town-south-africa.html

TRAIN TRIP
http://thegentryjointll.blogspot.com/2011/12/train-ride-south-africa.html

SAFARI
http://thegentryjointll.blogspot.com/2011/12/safari-in-kruger-park-south-africa.html

JO'BURG & PRETORIA
http://thegentryjointll.blogspot.com/2011/12/joberg-pretoria-working-title.html

SOWETO
http://thegentryjointll.blogspot.com/2011/12/soweto-south-africa.html

LAUGHING ALL THE WAY

2011-12-12T13:40:00.000-08:00

This article entitled "Laura Gentry is 'laughing all the way' with new holiday CD," written by Kelli Boylen, was published in The Standard newspaper of Waukon, Iowa in December, 2011. Click here to go to the original article.

“Laughing Laura” Gentry had an idea about five years ago to start a little laughter yoga club at her church in Lansing. To say that the laughter yoga idea has really taken off for her would be somewhat of an understatement.

Laughter yoga, Gentry explains in her book “The Little Book of Big Laughs,” is a revolutionary movement that’s blazing a happy trail across the globe. Its simple premise is that anyone can laugh. “We don’t need jokes, comedy, or even a sense of humor,” she says. “All that’s necessary is the desire to laugh - to open up our hearts, letting the joy of laughter flow.” When practiced in a group, the laughter becomes absolutely contagious. It is combined with deep, yogic breathing for maximum health benefits.

Medical doctor Madan Kataria of Mumbai, India, started the laughter yoga movement in 1995 because he wanted to prescribe laughter to his patients. He explains: “Laughter yoga is a breakthrough delivery system, which allows people to laugh regardless of their circumstances.” Now, there are laughter clubs in over 70 countries around the world.

Gentry says she first realized the power of laughter in college when laughing with friends helped rid her of an ulcer. So when she heard about laughter yoga, she immediately wanted to get involved. In 2006, she flew to California to study at the American School of Laughter Yoga. Revved up with laughter, she returned and started Iowa’s first Laughter Club at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Lansing, where she serves as pastor.

The club was an immediate success and drew national media attention. Today, it is the longest running laughter club in the state. Her laughter club’s success sparked her interest in becoming a laughter yoga teacher, so she studied directly with the founder of laughter yoga, Dr. Madan Kataria.

As a certified laughter yoga teacher, she opened the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga. She has trained many laughter yoga leaders from around the country and has been on a laughter speaking circuit, offering levity to medical conventions, church gatherings, and wellness events, just to name a few.

Gentry has led laughter yoga events in Mexico, San Diego, Chile, England and Australia. Her next trip is to Africa for a laughter conference, which means she has led laughter on five continents. “Laughter has taken over my life,” she says gleefully. “I quickly realized what a powerful tool laughter can be and things have been going full steam ahead since.”

In 2008, Dr. Kataria awarded Gentry the title of “Laughter Ambassador” for her creative contributions to world laughter. She was also named the first woman Master Trainer of Laughter Yoga in North America.

Not content to just spread the joy of laughter to people in person, Gentry and her husband, William, have also become “laughter producers.” William is a photographer and pastor of First Congregational Church of McGregor. Their production company is called The Gentry Joint.

The Gentrys’ first project was a film for children called “Laughter Friends.” It has been their most successful production and is now in its third edition, selling through Amazon.com to people around the world, especially in Japan. Laura and William learned a lot from that production and have created six CDs since.

“Laugh Your Way There” is a CD that helps people practice laughter yoga while driving in their cars. “Today is a Laughing Day” is Laura’s solo album, on which she sings original laughter songs with a jazz trio. “Holy Hysterics” is a resource for churches to use as they combine laughter with traditional ministry. They even produced a laughter yoga CD in Spanish called “Yoga de la Risa.” This was narrated by their friend, Tosha Tobias, with whom they had a laughter tour of Chile in 2009. This year, they released “Be Laughter,” a resource that takes listeners through a daily practice of yogic breathing and laughing alone.”

Just last week, the Gentrys released their latest CD project called “Yule Laugh.” Laura says through her work as a pastor she knows that the holidays are a difficult time for many people, especially those who are grieving. “This CD can be a subtle way to bring more joy back into the holidays, and bring everyone more Christmas cheer.”

Laura says she first had the idea for a Christmas laughter CD after a concert performed by church musician Tom Bourcier at Our Savior’s Lutheran.

Bourcier is a musician and instructor at Luther College, teaching improvisation, jazz theory and arranging, supervising jazz combos and directing the Jazz Band and Luther College Jazz Quartet. He resides in rural Decorah with his four sons.

When she decided to move forward with the project, Laura and Tom decided he would perform with three Luther students in the Luther College Jazz Quartet. Collin Meyer, a senior from Apple Valley, MN on percussion, David Clair, a senior from Cedar Rapids on trumpet and Ted Olson, a sophomore from St. Paul, MN on bass, along with Tom, made up the group.

Songs on the CD, complete with laughter throughout, include 13 songs. Titles include “Joy the World”, “Deck the Halls (Fa-la-la-la-la ha ha ha!)”, “Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer”, “Angels We Have Heard on High”, “Jingle Bells”, “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.

Those providing the laughter for the recording included fellow laughter yoga professionals, Laura’s mother-in-law from Anchorage, AK and laughter club members. Four people in the group have recently been widowed. Even though they are grieving, laughter provides a vacation from their sadness and brings joy. Don Thran of Lansing thought the recording session was a great deal of fun. He commented, “There was no where else I would have rather been that day!”

“This is one of the most unique projects I’ve ever been a part of! I had a blast recording and revisiting these holiday favorites. I can’t wait to hear the finished product,” says Collin Meyers on percussion.

“The recording experience was fun; the spontaneity of the arrangements gave each song its own style and spunk. On the surface it’s very listenable, but Tom and the others gave the music a lot of depth too,” said trumpet player David Clair.

“I can’t believe how much the joy shines through on this recording,” says Laura. She is very enthusiastic to debut Yule Laugh.

The recording of the CD inspired the Luther College Jazz Quartet to put on a concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, December 4 at 3 p.m. in the Jensen-Nobel Hall of Music on the Luther College Campus. The public is invited to attend this event.

Laura’s laughter club at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lansing is free and meets every Wednesday for a half hour beginning at 6 p.m. For more information about Yule Laugh and Gentrys’ other laughter resources, go to www.laughinglaura.com.

(CHANGE SINCE PUBLICATION: The Lansing Laughter Club is now meeting at 3:30 p.m. for the winter season)

CARL KASELL'S GREETING FOR MY VOICE MAIL

2011-11-12T09:52:00.000-08:00

As I announced on this blog in October, I was a contestant on the National Public Radio show, "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!" I played "Bluff the Listener" and won! So I received the most coveted prize on public radio—Carl Kasell's voice on my home answering machine. You can hear the masterpiece he recorded for me on the YouTube video above (or simply click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2NYvrtWwdk&feature=feedu)

Here's the transcript of the segment from the show. You can listen to it below.

I also got a shout-out from the Director of the American School of Laughter Yoga, Sebastien Gendry, who commended me in this post about how I pulled off a bit of guerilla marketing in this radio appearance.

YULE LAUGH

2011-11-08T15:37:00.000-08:00

Brace yourself to take merry to a whole new level with Yule Laugh, the outrageously jolly Christmas album. Giggle along with the Fabulous Laughers and me, Laughing Laura, as we laugh the Christmas carols, played by the Luther College Jazz Quartet. It’s an instant party that will have you swingin’ and dancin’ all night. Expect your holiday cheer to reach new heights. Yule laugh, that’s for sure. Fa-la-la-la-la..ha ha ha ha!

This has got to be the merriest Christmas album on earth!

—Dr. Madan Kataria, Founder Laughter Yoga International

Check out the YouTube video below. Not only can you hear an entire song of the album, but you can see the delightful pictures from the production.

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1. JOY TO THE WORLD

English Carol

2. SLEIGH RIDE

3. DECK THE HALLS

Welsh Carol

4.GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN

English Carol

5. RUDOLF THE RED NOSED REINDEER

6. UP ON THE HOUSETOP

Benjamin Hanby

7. ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH

French Carol

8. O CHRISTMAS TREE

German Carol

9. JINGLE BELLS

James Lord Pierpont

10. JOLLY OLD SAINT NICHOLAS

attributed to Wilf Carter

11. GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

African-American Spiritual

12. O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

attributed to John Francis Wade

13. WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

English Carol

Yule Laugh is just $14.95 and it will be debuting this Friday, 11/11/11, so there's plenty of time to get your copies in time for holidays! And to make it even easier to give the gift of laughter this Christmas, I'm running a super stocking stuffer special of 3 Yule Laugh CDs for just $33.33 (that's almost a $12 savings!). And there's no limit to how many of these packs you can buy. Plus, from now until Christmas, these items ship absolutely FREE at The Laughter Shoppe.

2011 AMERICAN LAUGHTER YOGA CONFERENCE

2011-10-18T12:26:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from the 2011 All America Laughter Yoga Conference, which was held in San Diego, California in September. As you can see, William came along as well. We had a fabulous time laughing with the many amazing laughters, who had gathered from all around the globe for the event.

Here's the roundtable discussion I led about laughter yoga in religious contexts

Ina Lukas' testimonial

My college friend, Karla Harris met us there

With World Laughter Master Balachew

With Jill Johnson

With Teena Miller

With Sarito Sun and Nira Berry

With Jill Johnson

The Mississippi River as we passed overhead

In Old Town as part of a Levity Project bus tour

With Linda LeClerc, Canada's Laughter Yoga Master Trainer

LAUGHTER YOGA ON NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO

2011-10-06T20:23:00.001-07:00

This weekend, you will have the opportunity to hear me as a contestant on the hilarious National Public Radio show, "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!" I will be playing the "Bluff The Listener" game, competing for the most coveted prize on public radio—Carl Kasell's voice on my home answering machine. The show has already been taped, and I can't tell you if I won or not, but what I can say is that I got to talk about how I teach laughter yoga. For those of you who listen regularly to the show, you know that laughter yoga was mentioned just last week. So that makes two weeks in a row that laughter yoga was a topic on the show! This is great exposure for the world laughter movement. So check your local station's schedule and tune in this Saturday or Sunday. It will also be streamable at the website after this weekend. Ha ha ha...

UPDATE: I won! I won! I will be getting Carl Kasell's voice on my cell phone voice mail! Below is the media player from NPR where you can hear the Bluff the Listener segment of the October 9, 2011 show. Here's the transcript of the segment as well.

COME LAUGH IN MCGREGOR THIS FRIDAY

2011-10-06T12:30:00.000-07:00

I'll be doing a presentation on laughter yoga in my own hometown this Friday night, October 7th at the Arts Center. It will be a rare opportunity to hear about my laughter yoga work and creative projects. Of course, there will be laughter, too. So come on out for a fun night starting at 6 p.m. (double click poster below for a larger view)

LAUGHING ON THE MORNING RADIO SHOW

2011-09-05T06:45:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow morning, Tuesday, September 6, I will be sitting in for Jeni Grouws on the Morning Show at KDEC Radio of Decorah, Iowa. It runs from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m. Central Standard Time and can be tuned into your FM dial at 100.5. For those of you out of that listening area, no problem! You can stream it at this link.

Get your day started off right as Tim Michaelson and I will talking about laughter yoga, laughing, and generally creating a lot of mayhem that will be fun for the whole family. Oh, and there will be some good music too!

THE LITTLE BOOK OF BIG LAUGHS

2011-09-01T18:00:00.000-07:00

I HAVE BIG NEWS! I have published a laughter yoga resource book called: The Little Book of Big Laughs.

At 3.5 inches by 5.5 inches, this 172-page, softcover, spiral bound book is small enough to go everywhere with you. That way, you'll always have laughter yoga ideas handy. But don't let it's little size deceive you—it's jam packed with exciting things including a foreword by Dr. Kataria, an introduction to laughter yoga, the three rules of laughter yoga, the laughter clap, the amazing chant, the laughter pledge, 114 laughter yoga exercises (many of which are original), 25 yoga breathing exercises, 54 hilarious photographs, and 121 inspirational quotes from notable people about life, laughter, play and more. It's incredible that it all fits in such a tiny format.

The Little Book of Big Laughs was published by Penfield Books for The Gentry Joint, the production company my husband and I run. It retails for only $9.95. Order it now at The Laughter Shoppe. It will soon be available as a Kindle book at Amazon.com.

The back cover is pictured below. Double click for a larger view.

Here's what people are saying about The Little Book of Big Laughs:

I am delighted that Laughing Laura has written this useful resource book of creative laughter and yoga breathing exercises. She is a talented teacher, who truly understands the spirit of laughter yoga. Her wit and wisdom will inspire you as you endeavor to intentionally bring more laughter into your life and the lives of others. It is my hope that The Little Book of Big Laughs will equip you to laugh more and with greater exuberance.

—Dr. Madan Kataria, Laughter Yoga Movement Founder

I've just read Laughing Laura's latest book, The Little Book of Big Laughs, and all I can say is WOW. It's presentation and design is innovative and the content is exceptional...a bit like Laura herself actually—ha ha ha! I would highly recommend it as a resource book for Laughter Club Members or more particularly as a thank you gift to a client or someone special as they'd love to receive one...I know I would.

—Merv Neal, CEO Laughter Yoga Australia

Convenient Giggles!

By Jenna

The little book of Big Laughs is an increidlby convenient resource for laughter yoga leaders and participants! When I first got my book, I was doing some of the exercises in the car on the way home (he was driving!) and I love that they're in such a nice little compact place that is easy to carry around. It's small enough to fit in a purse! I also love that there are pages at the back of the book to write down our own exercises and ideas, allowing us to be even more creative with our laughter! Thank you for creating this book, it's incredibly helpful!

Terrifically Fun and Creative Exercises!

By Laughter Yoga Atlanta

This little book packs a lot of laughter in a such a compact space! These exercises are creative and enjoyable. I love to keep it in my car. You never know when you might want a little bit of inspiration to help brighten someone's day! Thank you so much, Laughing Laura for sharing this wonderful resource with us all!

A Terrific Resource!!!

By Hans Peter Jorgensen

What a wonderful resource, not only for laughter professionals but for anyone who works with groups and wants to charge up a performance. Easy to carry with you, and filled with great ideas for bringing joy into the lives of those around you. Ms. Gentry has scored big with this one.

Perfect Laughter Companion

By jodysatva

As a laughter professional actively spreading the great news about laughter, I am always on the lookout for tools for my clients. The Little Book of Big Laughs has been a great hit. We debuted it at our weekly Laughter Club. The results were fantastic! The book has clear instructions, even if you have never attended a Laughter Yoga class. You can toss it into your bag for giggles anytime. I'm envisioning using this Little Book of Big Laughs on the treadmill this winter!

Have you got something to say about The Little Book of Big Laughs? Then please post it as a customer review at Amazon.com. Thanks!

LAUGHTER YOGA FOR THE BUSINESS WORLD

2011-09-01T13:57:00.000-07:00

Got stress? Most people do. Especially in the business world. There are so many pressures and responsibilities. It can lead to stress, depression, burn-out and even serious illness.

What can alleviate this workplace stress? Laughter, of course. Scientific research has demonstrated that laughter can help to resolve workplace stress and many related issues.

Indeed, laughter is great. And in everyday life, there are opportunities to laugh, but on average, these laughs only last for 2.2 seconds. This is not enough to unleash laughter’s full potential. It is only when we laugh vigorously for a longer time that we can experience powerful physiological and biochemical changes.

This is why laughter yoga is such an effective tool in the business world. It is a breakthrough delivery system, which enables a person to laugh continuously for an extended period of time—even without having a developed sense of humor. This is extremely beneficial, particularly because it is punctuated with deep, yogic breathing. Together, the laughing and breathing serve to dimish stress, build teamwork, boost physical health, and can even improve creativity and efficiency.

For these reasons, companies around the world are starting to utilize laughter yoga. Results indicate that employees in laughter yoga programs become more committed, learn more easily, improve their interpersonal skills, and that the workplace becomes a happier place. It is often reflected in increased sales, efficiency and productivity and an improved bottom line.

A one-year laughter yoga trial in a Danish IT company yielded the following results: The company’s sales increased more than 25% in a highly competitive market while stress levels decreased by 75%. The program consisted of laughter yoga sessions daily for a week followed by weekly sessions for one year. All management and employees participated and stress levels were scientifically monitored.

On August 30, I led a corporate laughter program for an international meeting at GE Healthcare in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Below is a short video of the executives showing off their newly-formed laughing-for-no-reason skills. My visit provoked some good conversation about the need for more workplace laughter.

This is the second time that I have presented laughter yoga at GE Healthcare. Click here for the blog post about my first visit.

INTRODUCING LAUGHTER MAGNETS TO GIVE YOUR FRIDGE—AND YOU—MORE JOY

2011-08-24T10:59:00.000-07:00

Couldn't your refrigerator use more laughter? Great news: The Laughter Shoppe now has premium laughter magnets!

These little cuties are just 2 inches by 2 inches. They are thick, durable museum quality magnets featuring two of my most popular laughter paintings. The print quality is superb. In fact, I don’t think Blogger quite captures just how colorful they are. Nevertheless, you can tell by the smile on my face that they are terrific.

You can order the “Ha Ha Ha” spiral magnet for $4.95

at The Laughter Shoppe (click the image above to see it in a larger size).

Or you can order the “Be Laughter” magnet for $4.95

at The Laughter Shoppe (click the image above to see it in a larger size).

Or you can order BOTH of these magnets for $8.95

as the "Laughing Magnet Pack" and save a dollar. Where? Only at The Laughter Shoppe.

LAUGHTER GRADS RADIATE HAPPINESS

2011-08-20T10:04:00.000-07:00

Another class of happy laughers has graduated from the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga! On Sunday, August 14th, the graduates showed off their newly-formed laughter yoga leadership skills at their graduation ceremony. They laughed their way in to "Pomp and Circumstance." The gibberish commencement address was zealously delivered by Peter Jorgensen. Every single graduate won the "Laugher of the Universe Award" as well as their laughter yoga diploma. And finally, they took the Laughter Pledge, thus certifying their new commitment to live a laughing life. I'm so proud of them!

The graduates are pictured above. Back row: Robin Arendt, Peter Jorgensen, Mary Jorgensen; middle row: Carol Larson, Claire Buetler-Cruise, Jen Malcom; front row: Lisa Weis, Laughing Laura, Teleen Saunders. Below, are pictures of them eating lunch. Please note that happy cupcakes were served on a cupcake tree! :)

Here's how you can find and hire these amazing laughter yoga leaders.

Robin Arendt

1176 280th St.

Oskaloosa, IA 52577

violet.flamesp@yahoo.com

Rev. Claire Buetler-Cruise

Milwaukee, WI

cbcruise92902@yahoo.com

Peter & Mary Jorgensen

724 Day St.

Decorah, IA 52101

563-382-4558

mary@risingsunlifecoaching.com

Jen Malcom

310 Kellogg

Auburn, KS 66402

jmalcom4@prodigy.net

Teleen Saunders

6154 Sugar Mill Lane

Mound, MN 55364

teleen@web1234.com

Lisa Weis

1117 Maple Street

Northfield, MN 55057

lisacadyweis@yahoo.com

Also in attendance at the seminar were already certified laughter yoga leaders Cindy Hansmeier of Decorah, Iowa and Carol Larson of Hillsboro, Wisconsin.

They all radiating with happiness and eager to share laughter yoga with you!

FIRST LAUGHTER YOGA WORLD CONGRESS IN MEXICO

2011-08-19T17:31:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to announce that I am going to be speaking at the first Laughter Yoga World Congress in Mexico City, October 21-23m 2011. Below is my video introduction in Spanish with English subtitles. Please help us spread the word about this incredible event. Go to www.jojojajaja.com to learn more.

AWAKENING THE SAGE: AN EXPERIENCE OF WHOLENESS

2011-08-09T07:50:00.000-07:00

I am going to be presenting at a very exciting workshop called Awakening the Sage. It will be an interactive, holistic process designed to invite you to expand your individual and collaborative power to enable you to thrive in challenging times.

It will be held on Sunday, August 21, 2011 from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m in Decorah, Iowa.

Based upon Mary Jorgensen’s curriculum, The Way of the SAGE, the event features fabulous presenters who will provide you with experiences to tap into your inner power and grab some gusto for life! We’ll start mindfully, and end joyfully. What better way to get yourself motivated and inspired. Have fun! Eat some cool snacks! Produce some art! Move your body!

Awaken your SAGE through a unique, experiential workshop of wholeness, each taught by a different facilitator.

Spirituality — Michelle Williams: A tea ceremony meditation

Authentic Action —Karen Misseldine: Creative expression with art

Gratitude—Brenda Harris: A movement experience of Qigong

Enjoyment—Laura Gentry: Laughter yoga

It is my hope, that those of you in the area of Northeast Iowa will take advantage of this incredible opportunity. Learn more about the event and sign up at: The Way of the Sage website.

LAUGHING LAURA—A LAUGHTER REVOLUTIONARY

2011-08-02T14:00:00.001-07:00

Jeffrey Briar, Director of the Laughter Yoga Institute, has just published a new book called Laughter Revolutionaries.

This 120 page, softcover book features interviews, stories, sermons and essays from movers and shakers in the field of Laughter for Health. Jeffrey has written the forward and afterward of this inspirational resource.

Revolutionaries include: Dr. Patch Adams, Dr. Madan Kataria, Madhuri Kataria, Dr. Gita Suraj-Naryan, Rev. John Millspaugh, Rev. Tom Owen-Toole, Kathryn Burns, and me—the laughing Lutheran minister! I'm honored to be among these auspicious laughter revolutionaries.

The book retails for $14.95. An e-book version is available for $9.95. Click here for purchasing options.

HOLDEN VILLAGE BECOMES A LAUGHING VILLAGE

2011-08-01T07:19:00.001-07:00

I was invited to be a part of the summer teaching staff at Holden Village this year. Holden is a unique, secluded retreat center high in the Cascade Mountains of Washington. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America so I had always known of Holden but never visited until last month. It was an amazing experience to share laughter yoga with the diverse and interesting community of the village.

When I say the village is secluded, I mean it is secluded. There are no roads to Holden—it used to be a mining village. You can only get there by riding several hours on a ferry up Lake Chelan. Here I am with our Lady of the Lake ferry boat as we arrived at Lucerne.

But even when you get to Lucerne, you're not there yet. At that point, you must board a Holden Village school bus, which chugs up numerous switchbacks on a gravel road, climbing over 2,000 feet in a little under 12 miles. Check out the switchback road sign.

As you ascend, there are breathtaking views of Lake Chelan.

William and I were pleased to discover we got to live in this lovely mountain chalet during our two week stay.

This is the view we had from our front porch!

Here we are with Pastor Jen Nagel, the summer teaching staff coordinator, who had arranged for me to come and teach. Jen and I have been friends since 1995, when we worked together at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin as chaplain interns.

During our time at Holden Village, I led 15 laughter yoga sessions, including a laughing of the labyrinth. Below is a video with highlights from these joyful gatherings, many of which happened outside at 7:30 a.m. What better way to start the day than laughing with friends in the mountains?

Below are photographs, which William took, during the various laughter yoga sessions. Double-click them to view larger versions.

Here's the labyrith group in the happy center.

We're giving each other laughter blessings!

During our incredible time at Holden Village, we noticed a transformation—it became a laughing village. People would run up to one another and greet each other with a laugh. Some even took laughing hikes and would shout "Very Good! Very Good! Yay!" after each stream they successfully crossed. And all in all, there was great joyfulness. Holden Village has always been a happy place that values holy hilarity but I do think that having laughter yoga sessions there helped them live into that identity more fully. I'm grateful we had such a wonderful experience there and I now have lots more laughter friends. Very Good! Very Good! Yay!

LAUGHTER YOGA LEADER COURSE IN LANSING, IOWA—AUGUST 13-14, 2011

2011-07-26T14:20:00.000-07:00

The Iowa School of Laughter Yoga will be offering a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader training seminar in Lansing, Iowa on August 13th and 14th. In this delightful, interactive learning experience, you'll earn lifetime certification as a Laughter Yoga Leader in affiliation with the Doctor Kataria School of Laughter Yoga.

The benefits of studying Laughter Yoga at the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga are many. Here are just a few:

• Confidence

When you train with me, you can be confident you are receiving the most accurate and direct transmission of the training, as I have been trained and certified by Dr. Kataria himself, the founder of the worldwide laughter club movement.

• Personal Renewal

Most laughter grads consider the seminar (whether taken in person or on-line) a life-changing experience that helped them find greater wellness through joy and intentional laughter. Do this for yourself, you'll be glad you did.

• Connection

The seminars and retreats help laughter students build lasting friendships with me and your fellow laughers. The synergy of the group helps students find support, inspiration and brainstorming opportunities. Upon graduation, you'll also be invited to join a free on-line forum specifically for the graduates of the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga where you can continue to connect and share ideas with each other.

• Supervised Practice

Even with laughter, practice makes perfect. During the seminars and retreats, you'll have ample opportunity to practice and polish your laughter leadership skills. For on-line learners, there is also valuable feedback offered to help you become a great laughter yoga professional.

• On-Line Referrals

When you train with me, you will be listed at the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga Web site for a minimum of 12 months where you may receive referrals and inquiries from all over the world.

• A Comprehensive Laughter Manual

You'll receive my original, comprehensive laughter training manual, Laughing Laura's Guide to Laughter Yoga. I have written this manual based upon my experience. It contains everything you need to know to become an effective laughter yoga leader and has an expansive collection of laughter yoga exercises, many of which are original. It gives suggestions for solo laughter practice and even addresses the spirituality of laughter yoga. It offers inspiration for how to live a more laughing life, and other valuable materials on how to launch your laughter-based career activities.

• Beautiful Diploma

I award my graduates with an originally designed, professionally printed, archival, full-color laughter diploma suitable for framing (pictured below), which shows lifetime certification as a Laughter Yoga Leader through the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga in affiliation with the Dr. Kataria School of Laughter Yoga.

• Laughter Yoga CD

As a way to help you keep up your daily laughter yoga practice, you'll receive a copy of my new CD, "Be Laughter."

• Laughter Inspiration Poster
You will also receive a "Live a Laughing Life" Poster. This is an original work of art featuring many fabulous and inspirational ideas for living in the joyful spirit of laughter.

• Future Savings

Laughter Yoga Leaders often find it helpful to come back and take the seminar or retreat again as a refresher, to reinvigorate them for future laughing. All students of the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga are given the opportunity to take future seminars at a significant discount, including the weekend retreats.

I invite you to join us for the August seminar in the charming river town of Lansing, Iowa during their annual Fish Days celebration.

The seminar will be held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. The schedule is as follows:

Saturday, August 13 8:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 14 11:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

This is an exciting opportunity to study with me at a live seminar. This is rare these days as I've been busy with the production of my new CD as well as an upcoming book. Tuition is $295 and includes all instruction, my original Laughter Yoga Manual, a Be Laughter CD, a Live a Laughing Life Poster, a full color diploma printed with your name, snacks, beverages and lunch both days!

Click here to enroll!

Already a graduate of the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga? Then here's your chance to come again as a refresher. Your rate for this seminar is just $100 (includes instruction and lunches only). To enroll as a refresher, simply pay with Paypal at the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga site.

Spread the word! If you register with a friend, you'll each receive a FREE CD or DVD and a poster of your choice from The Laughter Shoppe (a $20 value)!

THIS YEAR'S LAUGHTER YOGA CONFERENCE

2011-07-04T11:49:00.000-07:00

What are you going to be doing September 22-25? If you're not already thinking about being at the 6th Annual, All America Laughter Yoga Conference in San Diego, California, you should be. I'll be there as one of the roundtable experts and I can't wait. It's a wonderful opportunity to laugh, learn and be inspired. Visit the Conference Website to learn more and get registered!

double click image to view larger

ANNOUNCING THE RELEASE OF MY NEW CD, BE LAUGHTER

2011-06-20T13:17:00.000-07:00

It is with great excitement that I announce the imminent release of my latest CD, Be Laughter. As you can see by the cover above, it is a complete, do-it-yourself laughter makeover.

As we all know, laughing and doing deep yoga breathing as a daily practice can boost your health physically, emotionally and spiritually.

A Harvard University study has shown that spending just 10 minutes each day sitting and breathing will increase your happiness. Dr. Madan Kataria and his wife, Madhuri, founders of the worldwide laughter yoga movement, urge laughers everywhere to intentionally breathe and laugh every day. This, they explain, will help you live in the inner spirit of laughter—to not just enjoy laughter, but to be laughter in a holistic way.

We lead busy lives, though, so it’s difficult to take the time for this practice. That’s why I’ve created this resource to help you. On this 75 minute recording, I’ll guide you through:

Morning – 5 yogic breathing exercises followed by 15 minutes of laughter, which you can do regardless of your mood. This will kick off your day by connecting you to your own inner peace and joy.

Noon – A laughter dance party to get you moving, breathing, laughing and dancing. It will revitalize you for whatever lies ahead.

Night – Unwind at bedtime with yoga nidra, a unique form of meditation done while lying down. It induces complete relaxation of the body, mind and emotions. At the end, the music will lull you into sleep, enabling you to rest in a blissful state.

Be Laughter also includes an 8 page booklet with more instruction about these 3 practices. Furthermore, the CD and its cool digipak will be made with certified green components. And thanks to careful attention to chain of custody and use of carbon offset credits, the entire package is rendered 100% carbon neutral!

I’ve dedicated this project in memory of my mom, Sharon Smith, who in loving me unconditionally has empowered me to be laughter. Read more about how laughter yoga has helped me through my grief.

The track listing is as follows:

MORNING

1. Breath of Fire (3:36)

2. Synchronized Breathing (3:08)

3. Cross Nostril Breathing (3:56)

4. Humming Bee Breath (3:32)

5. Conscious Breathing (5:41)

6. Laughing While Seated (5:08)

7. Laughing While Lying Down (4:55)

8. Laughing While Standing (5:06)

NOON

9. Laughter Dance Party (5:26)

NIGHT

10. Yoga Nidra (33:35)

It takes just 3 weeks to develop a new habit. So I’ve created the “Be Laughter” Challenge. Commit to practicing all 3 parts of this CD every day for 21 days and see how it transforms your life. Right now, I’m taking applications for my initial set of Be Laughter Challengers. If you believe you can commit to the daily practice for 3 weeks, drop me and e-mail at LaughterLaura@yahoo.com.

Be Laughter retails for $14.95 and is due to release July 8th. Right now, I’m running an introductory offer of just $12.95. Please go to The Laughter Shoppe to order on-line from my store. You can also order it at Amazon.com.

Or save money by ordering it by mail. Free shipping! Send checks of $12.95 for each CD payable to "Laura Gentry" to: The Laughter Shoppe, P.O. Box 11, Marquette, IA 52158. Thanks.

Laughter yoga professionals please note that I offer great wholesale rates on this and other products from The Laughter Shoppe. Drop me a line or call to fine out more. 563-880-2699

REMEMBERING LAUGHTER YOGA LEADER PHYLLIS LARSEN

2011-06-02T09:42:00.000-07:00

Phyllis Larsen, an amazing graduate of the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga and a member of the Lansing Laughter Club, has passed away. We remember her joy and laughter with great fondness.

Phyllis and her husband, Mike, first heard about laughter yoga in the Ode Magazine laughter issue of August 2009. They read this article in which I was mentioned and realized we were neighbors. So they started attending my laughter club and eventually became laughter yoga leaders.

Laughter yoga made an immense difference in Phyllis' life. After one of the first laughter club meetings she attended, I gave them a tour of the church. As we walked around, she said: "Do you realize that I could hardly walk when I came in here tonight?" She and Mike were astonished. Indeed, the half hour laughter club meeting had literally transformed her walk from a painful shuffle to a normal gait (and I dare say she had a spring in her step). From that moment forward, they were hooked on laughter yoga. Though Phyllis was a long-time sufferer of rheumatoid arthritis, she found pain relief and increased happiness by practicing laughter yoga.

Read Phyllis' obituary here.

Phyllis with her husband, Mike

Phyllis going through the "laughter car wash"

With her graduating class at the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga

Phyllis is in the bottom right hand corner of this photo taken at a laughter yoga event in February at the AmerInn in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin

At Phyllis' funeral at the Methodist church in Gays Mills, Wisconsin, people were invited to come forward to share memories. I got up to say what a generous laugher Phyllis was and I convinced the whole congregation to do "milkshake laughter" with me (pictured above). It was Phyllis' favorite exercise and I'm sure she was laughing with us as we did it.

LAUGHING WITH GOD: NOT TAKING OURSELVES TOO SERIOUSLY

2011-05-31T07:27:00.000-07:00

My laughter ministry got a mention in this editorial in Owatonna.com. Indeed, it is a great thing to laugh with God!

Martin Luther once said, “If I’m not allowed to laugh in heaven, then I don’t want to go.” Laughter is something that each and every one of us needs in our lives. It’s healthy to laugh.

I firmly believe that God has gifted each of us with a sense of humor, in one way or another. I remember a few weeks ago I was at text study, and we were talking about death and heaven/hell.

When I left, slightly unnerved, I got into my car, and when I heard what song was playing on the radio, I couldn’t help but laugh. It was “That’ll Be The Day (That I Die.)” Laughter brings us hope, encouragement, and joy. Far too often, I think we take ourselves too seriously. Stress causes so much pain and suffering in our lives. We need laughter to balance our lives.

Pastor Laura Gentry, a pastor in Northeast Iowa, has been named a Laughter Ambassador by Laughter Club International. Pastor Laura has introduced laughter ministry to the congregation she serves in Iowa. They get together weekly and laugh together. She says that laughing together weekly has boosted their joy and given them another opportunity to share their Christian love with each other through laughter.

She says that this laughter ministry has helped them gain a greater appreciation for joy in their faith lives, and their laughter club has made the congregation she serves a more compassionate congregation. She has made several laughter CD’s that can be used as laughter resources for personal or congregational use. These CD’s contain several laughter workouts that have you laughing out loud in many different ways. It feels a bit ridiculous, but that’s the point. The point is to laugh, to be silly, and “make a joyful noise to the Lord.” (Psalm 98:4)

We find many verses in Scripture that talk about joy and happiness. For example, in Ecclesiastes 3, we read, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” There is time in our lives to laugh. What wonderful news this is. In Luke 6:21, Jesus says, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” There are several other verses that allude to joy and happiness in the Bible, and laughter can have a wonderful effect in our lives, and in our faith.

Of course, the text also says that there is a time to weep, and a time to mourn. Not every moment of our lives can or will be filled with laughter. There are times to be serious, and we know when those times are. But laughter is a gift that we can use when we’re feeling sad, depressed, angry, or frustrated. In an article that Pastor Laura wrote for the ELCA Board of Pensions, she talks about scientific studies that were done on the effects of laughter on the body.

In these studies, gelatologists (that is, people who study laughter, or “gelos,” the Greek word meaning “laughter,”) have found that laughter has several health benefits, such as improvement of the function of blood vessels, prevention of heart disease, boosts in the immune system, reduction of stress hormone levels and hopefulness in the lives of people. Laughing can help make us healthy.

God has blessed us richly with the gift of being in community with one another. One of the ways in which we can build community is to laugh with one another. Tell someone a joke, make a silly face, or laugh for no reason at all. Laughter is contagious, after all. God has gifted us all with a sense of humor and when we laugh with each other, it creates a bond of joy, peace, love and happiness. Laughter creates joy in our lives, and joy reminds us of how blessed we are in the grace and love that God has given us. For we know that our God is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing.” (Jonah 4:2). May we all find joy and laughter in our lives; and when we laugh, may it be a “joyful noise to the Lord.”

Pastor Perspective

MAKING LAUGHTER A PRIORITY

2011-05-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

One of my students, Mary Harris, was featured in this article in the Times-Republican of Central Iowa about the laughter club she runs in Marshalltown.

Making Laughter a Priority
Lively laughter club promotes happiness and health
By MIKE DONAHEY, TIMES-REPUBLICAN

T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY

Several members of Trinity Lutheran Church’s Laughter Club are shown recently in the sanctuary doing the “Elevator” a club exercise. Clockwise left are Jeff Harris, Martha Schwandt, Sherry Allen, Rev. Gregg Davison and facilitator Mary Harris.

The sanctuary of Marshalltown's Trinity Lutheran Church was alive with hearty laughter Wednesday night.

Much of it was deliberate.

The occasion: The church's Laughter Club was in session for its weekly half-hour meeting from 5:30 p.m to 6 p.m.

Facilitator Mary Harris was dressed appropriately, with a multi-colored wig and coveralls.

There were flying monkeys, propelled through the air in sling-shot fashion. Mock bowling and joke telling were also on the agenda in the lively and fast paced meeting.

Harris did not lecture.

The activities were interactive, with all in attendance taking part.

Members laughed out loud for the sake of it. They turned from their place in the pew and laughed at each other. In one exercise, members would pick a piece of real or imagined lint of their clothing and laughed. A crowded "pretend" elevator was another skit which generated even more laughter.

Joining Mary Harris for this particular meeting was husband Jeff, Rev. Gregg Davison of Trinity and parishioners Martha Schwandt and Sherry Allen.

During the course of the meeting it was evident that there was more than laughter and rubber-band powered toys to the meeting.

The purpose, of all the exercises, according to Mary Harris is to make laughter a priority in people's lives.

She was serious about it.

Before each exercise, she spoke briefly about how laughter, in general, could make people happier and healthier.

She also said that laughter made people more resilient to stress, improved sleep and people were less prone to catch colds and flu.

Throughout the meeting Harris was using what is called laughter yoga.

Put simply, laughter yoga, according to an Evangelical Church of America website,elcabop.org/Home/LiveWell/Wellness, "was developed in India by Dr. Madan Kataria who figured there had to be a good way to harness the healing power of laughter. The method combines laughter with deep breathing techniques to maximize the benefits of the workout."

Mary Harris trained with a master trainer of Laughter Yoga, Rev. Laura Gentry of Lansing.

Gentry was trained by Kataria.

He said of her: "She speaks from her heart and inspires people with her true , joyful spirit. Laughing Laura is surely one of my best laughter professors."

It was Gentry's presentation at Trinity in June, 2009 that motivated Mary Harris to learn more.

"I saw her presentation," Harris, an elementary school educator said. "I know I could do that."

She went to Trinity's parish council and asked permission to form the club and use the church.

Her request was approved.

Mary Harris had another reason for learning about laughter.

"There was a lot of stress in my life at the time," she said. "My mother was in her 22nd year of Alzheimer's (disease) and if you have lived with that for awhile, its just is always there, it is always there."

There was more.

"And it's not something you laugh about," she said.

The Laughter Club provides relief.

"This is good," Mary Harris said of the club meetings. "It's good balance."

Member Sherry Allen said she "enjoyed a great good night's sleep" after attending her first session some time ago.

Davison said he attends the meetings periodically because "mostly because the provide stress relief," he said. "Everything I've read said that laughter is good for the body. I believe it.'

He had more to say.

"I think Jesus laughed a lot," Davison said, "considering some of the disciples he had, sometimes it is better to laugh than to cry."

The church Laughter Club meets each Wednesday in the church sanctuary during the school year

Contact Mike Donahey at 641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com

ATTENTION NEW BLOG SUBSCRIBERS: Here's the secret link for your 100 Free Laughter Yoga Exercises. Happy Laughing!

NEW BOOK ON INTUITIVE EATING PRAISES THE BENEFIT OF LAUGHING

2011-05-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

Author Jane Bernard has just released Am I Really Hungry? This book is a liberating guide for everyone who’s tired and frustrated with traditional diets. The product description says:

Instead of calories and rules, you get 10 tools to depend on for eating intuitively. It's 'good-bye' dieting and 'hello' long term-satisfaction with your body and yourself. End yo-yo dieting. Learn to eat when you're hungry and stop when you're not. No inner critic. No calorie counting. No forbidden foods. With this revolutionary book learn to recognize signals in your life that keep you in control. Am I Really Hungry? reveals how intuition connects the pleasure of eating with the satisfaction of being in sync with your body. Gain insights into how emotional reactions to eating interfere with real needs and learn to use intuitive tools to put an end to confusion created by old habits. Connect with your intuition, get satisfaction and look great.

I bring it to your attention because in the section about combating stress, this book uplifts the power of laughing. She even quotes me in it. Here's how it reads:

They say, "laughter is the shortest distance between two people." In fact, humor equalizes tension creating emotional balance and releasing stress. According to Reverend Laura Gentry, also known as 'Laughing Laura,' "Laughing makes the heart connect. It makes small issues dissolve and enhances our ability to forgive." (p. 131)

Here's a customer review:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book changed my life!, May 19, 2011

Ellee K - See all my reviews

This review is from: Am I Really Hungry?: 6th Sense Diet:Intuitive Eating (Paperback)

For years I was the typical yo-yo dieter. I've joined weight loss programs and lost weight, only to regain that weight and more after "finishing" the program. I spent years feeling guilty when I ate a "forbidden" food or when I didn't weigh and measure everything first. Finally, I found this amazing book that frees you from the restrictions imposed by pre-planned, one-size-fits-all diet programs. This book shows you how to enjoy a new guilt-free relationship with food. It teaches you how to use your own body signals, your five senses and your intuition to gain self-reliance and satisfaction. Now, I can attend social situations without the fear of losing control and binging because I "blew it". Since nothing is forbidden, there is no guilt associated with your food choices. I find myself reading and rereading this amazing book as I continue learning how become more and more in tune with my body.

Jane Bernard is an intuition expert and educator. Her IntuEating for Success programs promote physical and emotional health around diet and eating by relieving stress, sharpening focus and concentration, and focusing on holistic health and fitness. Jane is author of FINE TUNING, Connecting with Your Inner Power and talks on national TV and radio internationally helping others to find success and opportunity through their 6th sense. She is has been a Zen Buddhist for over 20 years and has degrees in Philosophy and Special Education.

Am I Really Hungry? is available at Amazon.com.