NEW BOOK, YOGA ARTICLE & LAUGHFEST

Hi Laughing Friends,
I'm so happy to share some Laughing News! Here are three things designed to bring a smile to your face.

1. NEW LAUGHING BOOK

There is a brand new book out about laughter called

God Laughs--Why Don't You?: Making Use of Humor in the Practice of Ministry (Healthy Clergy Make Healthy Congregations)

It was written by Stephan McCutchan. He's covered a lot of hilarious topics for ministers who recognize their need for laughter. Funny and insightful, it is a real treat. I know about his amazing book because he asked me to write a chapter. My quote about laughter is also featured on the back cover. If you are a clergy or you know one who could use a lift, I encourage you to click the link below to check it out.

2. YOGA ARTICLE

The Iowa Yoga organization asked me to write an article about Laughter Yoga for their Yoga as Medicine issue. I was grateful to be asked because this is such an important topic and a great way for yogis to learn about Laughter Yoga. You can read the whole magazine for free! There are lots of interesting articles including mine. Here is the link: http://issuu.com/yogaiowa/docs/yia-winter-2015/0

3. LAUGHFEST 2015

The LaughFest of 2015 is coming soon! Yes, it will be May 15-17—the most wonderful time of year in which the trees are sprouting their brand new leaves. We are holding it at the retreat center in Ferryville, Wisconsin again. The nearest airport is LaCrosse, Wisconsin. If you've been a regular at this event, reserve your spot by getting registered right away. If you've never tried it out, we invite you to give it a whirl. This is your opportunity to have a laughter vacation, meet new friends, and acquire some new wellness tools to make you healthier and happier—right here in the Midwest! And it's as affordable as can be since it's held at a retreat center that serves delicious food.

This year, we have a very exciting new speaker of Linda Tourloukis and many returning speakers like Rev. Jane Voigts, Dr. Terri Reasoner, Dr. Kathy Phelan, Deb Olson, R.N. and me, Laughing Laura. There is room for more so go to the LaughFest page and pitch an idea. You may just be one of the speakers this year! You can lead an activity, too. We aren't just looking for lectures. We want our participants to have a whole host of happy experiences. There is an early bird discount until April 1. Don't miss it!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE LAUGHFEST PAGE

If you are interested in training as a Laughter Yoga Leader or a Laughter Yoga Teacher, please let me know. If we have enough students, we'll be adding these classes to the LaughFest. LaughingLauraGentry@gmail is my contact (even though this email sends out from yahoo).

Have a Laughing Day! YOU are amazing!

LAUGH-FEST IS JUST A WEEK AWAY

The Laugh-Fest of the Midwest is just a week away! The group of presenters and registrants is just amazing. I am so inspired by the exciting presentations planned for the event. My heart is singing already. There is a complete schedule of the weekend's activities at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B66AGyTuWqsna1lkWnNrUnNMZUk/edit?usp=sharing

Teddy Widdel has been added as an event speaker. Laughter Yoga Teacher and joyful dynamo, Teddy will share her dances and creative ideas for sharing laughter with seniors.

Just to entice you in these final days, we are going to be extending the Early Bird discount. We don't want anyone to miss out on this weekend of laughter. Learn more about the presenters and register now at: http://www.laughinglaura.com/laughfest.html.

See you soon! Ha ha ha! :)

Laughingly,
Laura

REMEMBERING LAUGHTER YOGA LEADER PHYLLIS LARSEN

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.