Showing posts with label Midwest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Midwest. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

HAPPY APRIL FOOL'S DAY & EXTENDED LAUGH-FEST EARLY-BIRD DISCOUNT


Have you registered for the Laugh-Fest of the Midwest yet? Many of you have and you've taken advantage of the great early-bird discount. If you haven't, it's not too late to get the savings because we're extending the discount deadline to April 29! And we now have a list of amazing presenters to entice you to register. They are listed below.



JANE VOIGTS

Nobody can bring out the comedy—and spiritual potential—of polyester pant suits...and inspire others to do the same....than Jane Voigts!  Comedian, writer and Methodist Minister, Jane is one of the great hopes for modern religious life. She graduated from the Claremont School of Theology in 1996.  There she created an improv troupe of seminarians called Angelic Residue; they played improv games with scripture and were a huge hit everywhere we went..  She even created a full-fledged Comedy Church in Toluca Lake, California.  She's presently working on a book about the biblical account of the birth of Isaac (ie "laughter") as well as an evening of entertainment entitled, The Bible Cabaret:  A Comedy and Music Review Starring the Old and New Testaments.  In her spare time, she collects polyester pant suits and figures out how to get out of the splits. At the Laugh-Fest, Jane will be leading us in hilarious improvisation exercises as well as offering a comedic performance. Check out her website: http://janevoigts.com.


ANNE TIMPANY

A whirlwind of joy, Ann Timpany is the Founding Director of the Academy for Joyful Leadership, providing support and training for you to laugh your way to passion and prosperity and co-create a culture of joy by sharing your gifts with others.  Anne leads Joy Tours, transformational travel adventures, and Joy School retreats around the world, in addition to regular laughter meditations and joyful playshops in her local community of Idaho Falls, Idaho.  Anne's passion is inspiring and empowering you to live joyfully, bring your dreams into reality, and play the note that only you can play in the grand symphony of life! Anne is coming all the way from Idaho to offer an extended playshop to help you connect with your passion and purpose through play! Check out her website: http://www.embodyingjoy.com/.

DR. TERRI REASONER

A Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher, Terri Reasoner holds a PhD in Transformative Learning & Change from the California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco. Her dissertation focus was on the role social networks play in bringing isolated individuals together to find hope, healing, and relief. Terri weaves her Laughter Yoga practice into her 20 plus year of adult learning and training profession. Terri is also a Certified Performance Technologist (CPT) and has been certified in Myers-Briggs. She currently works as an independent consultant while sharing her love for Laughter Yoga with her clients.  She will be presenting the work she’s doing on the relationship between Laughter Yoga, Positive Psychology and Happiness. Check out her website: http://www.engaginglaughteryoga.com/.


DR. KATHY PHELAN

Dr. Kathleen Phelan is a family practice medical doctor with ProHealth, certified Laughter Yoga Leader, and the sister of Laughing Laura! She’ll be doing an “Ask Dr. Laffy Kathy” session in which you can have your medical questions answered. Plus, she has two laughing kids who will be joining us for the weekend! Check out her blog: http://laffykathy.blogspot.com/


SILLY SALLY

Explore the joys of caring clowning with Silly Sally, also known as Sarah Caldwell. Sarah offers her enthusiasm and experience—sharing her tricks of the trade to inspire you. Sarah will not only do a hands-on clowning workshop and share about her therapeutic use of humor, she'll give a performance at our Saturday night costume party!


BETSY KENNEDY

Occupational Therapist, Lymphedema Therapist and certified Laughter Yoga Leader, Betsy Kennedy has extensive health care experience from pediatrics to senior care, specifically dementia care. She joyfully integrates her various skill set to help people of all ages experience higher quality of life. Betsy will be sitting on our health care panel as well as leading a field trip to the local nursing home to do Laughter Yoga with the residents. Check out her website: 


LAUREN HUNT


Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, mother, community organizer, and natural born leader, Lauren Hunt is on a mission to  to help you lighten up, laugh more, cultivate your playful self and fall in LOVE with life. Her deepest passion is to bring people together to uplift and celebrate life through her loves of laughing, singing and dancing. Lauren will be leading some Laughter Yoga as well as a delightfully playful gibberish playshop! Check out her website: http://www.laughandlovelife.com/.


DEB OLSON, R.N., M.S.N.

A Certified Health Coach, Cancer Guide and Director of Living Alive, Deb Olson uses a variety of tools to help clients see their true potential and the meaning in their lives. In addition to her 30 years of nursing practice, Deb is a certified Laughter Yoga Leader, Healing Touch practitioner and has completed the Advanced Mind-Body Medicine professional training program among other things. Her vision is to help clients live joyfully with themselves and others and she’s found that learning to love yourself is the key to unlocking your passions and purpose in life. Deb will share more about this at the Laugh-Fest in a presentation called Unconditional Life and Laughter. Check out her website: http://iamlivingalive.com.


TERESA LISUM

Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, massage therapist, Reiki practitioner and Tai Chi instructor, Teresa Lisum will be leading joyful Tai Chi sessions and sharing her creative use of music and dancing with Laughter Yoga.


KELLI BOYLEN

Licensed Massage Therapist Kelli Boylen will be available for retreat guests on Saturday, May 17. She will be offering hour long massages for $50, starting at 9 a.m. Her training includes basic massage, deep tissue work, myofascial release and reflexology. 

Please email indigoskymassage@gmail.com to make an appointment, or leave a message at 563.329.0515. Appointments are limited—email or call soon! Sunday appointments may be available if there is enough demand.

LAUGHING LAURA

And of course, I'll be doing some presenting, too, including the opening ceremony where we'll zealously commit ourselves to a weekend of pure joy, relaxation and laughter! I'll also be sharing some folk dances, games and more. If you'd like a to do some deep personal work for freedom, joy and enlightenment, consider scheduling a one hour  "Laughing Constellations" session with me. Please email right away so we can schedule it: laughinglauragentry@gmail.com.



PLUS, we may have more great presenters! We hope this new information inspires you to get registered for the Laugh-Fest right away! It is a wonderful, affordable laughter vacation waiting just for you. Couldn't you use some rest and renewal as well as inspiration from these incredible folks? Visit the Laugh-Fest page to register: http://www.laughinglaura.com/laughfest.html. Thanks!




Thursday, November 28, 2013

LAUGH FRIDAY SALE!

Looking for that perfect gift? How about LAUGHTER?


Why not give that special someone a WHOLE WEEKEND of LAUGHTER? On May 16-18, we’ll be holding the second annual LaughFest of the Midwest. It was a smash success in 2013 so we’re planning uplifting experience for 2014. Now, registration is open just in time for your gift giving needs. And if you act fast, you’ll get a $30 discount.


 There is something magical about gathering with new friends and old to laugh your cares away.


And it’s a hoot to dress up in hilarious costumes!


There will be speakers sharing insights about wellness, joy and laughter. Recharge your laughter yoga practice with this wealth of inspiration! No experience in laughter yoga is necessary, though. This event is for all people of all ages. It is designed for anyone willing to have more health and happiness.


There will also be workshops, laughing hikes, deep fun games, singing, dancing, a costume party and more! For those of you who live in the Midwest, it doesn’t get any handier than this. You can experience a conference on par with the annual All America Laughter Yoga Conference...but right here in your own neighborhood! If you live futher away, you can fly into the LaCrosse airport.






Laughter brings people together! Imagine what fun it will be.



I believe the setting is extremely important. That’s why this event is going to be held at a retreat center in Southwest Wisconsin. It is a secluded valley with 635 acres of prisine wilderness with a creek running through it. It’s of the beaten path and well worth the trip for the opportunity to connect with nature in springtime, just as the earth is coming to life again.



The hospitality at the camp can’t be beat. This year, we’ll be staying in the log cabin village, the main retreat center and the Koinonia Lodge (pictured below). These upsale shared accomodations have bathrooms with showers in each cabin/lodge. It's like a big slumber party! And the food is delicious. Everything is made with love by the camp cook. Vegetarian and meat entrees are served at each meal. Please let us know if you have other dietary needs. The center also boasts a wood-fired sauna, which will be heated up to perfection each evening. 



The all-inclusive price for the LaughFest of the Midwest in Ferryville, Wisconsin is $225, which includes 2 nights lodging, all meals, healthy snacks, a Laughter Blasters CD, a brand new laughter e-book by Laughing Laura, and a myriad of delightful programming for the entire weekend. But if you act NOW, you can get the EARLY BIRD rate of just $195 for all that!

Who do you know who could use a “laughter intervention” of a stress-free weekend at the LaughFest? Bring a friend or family member and share the experience! 


Personally, I’m giving my sister this gift (Shhhh! Don’t tell her). Here we are pictured below. I can’t wait to spend the weekend bonding with her, building a whole new set of happy memories. Who are you going to bring?


To get the great LAUGH FRIDAY rate, register now! Visit my new laughter site to register: http://www.laughinglaura.com/laughfest.html





Sunday, April 8, 2012

MY FIRST CLASS OF LAUGHTER TEACHERS


At last, I’m posting the pictures from my first laughter yoga teacher course. It was held over April Fool’s weekend (how appropriate is that?!). It began with a laughter yoga leader class, which was team taught by the fabulous adjunct faculty-hee-heee, Jody Ross, Dan and Jill Johnson, Nancy Greenwald and Michelle Erschen as well as the five laughter yoga teacher students. The leaders were overwhelmed by all that wisdom and joy. Below are pictures from the leader graduation ceremony, held on April Fool’s Day. 

After the big, blowout graduation ceremony on Sunday, the teacher students stayed on for another two and a half days of learning. We went deep and had a truly transformational time. I was humbled to have the opportunity to teach laughter yoga to such amazing people. I was blessed beyond measure by their open hearts. Their love and laughter cannot be described in words.


I'd like to thank my husband, William, for taking these delightful photos.

My next leader/teacher retreat is beginning this coming weekend in Rochester, Minnesota. Watch this blog for pictures and reports about that experience.


Teacher Kathy Wilkinson visiting with her small group

Dianne Jones taking some laughter notes

Lynette McCormack, Susan Kiefer (I think, but I can't tell for sure because of the costume!), Kim Doffing & Linda Dingels

Always clowning around

Laughing Laura, your fine feathered friend

Susan Kiefer, Laughing Laura & Kim Doffing

The graduation ceremony begins!

Nancy Greenwald is not chicken to laugh!

Dan Johnson, faculty-hee-hee member, making a commencement speech in gibberish

Celebration time!

Another diploma is awarded—Judy Hora receives hugs from all the faculty-hee-hee

Cheers all around!

Sandra Jones marches up to receive her diploma as Laughing Laura cheers her on

Laughing Laura giving out faculty-hee-hee awards

Michelle Erschen impersonating a rubber chicken as she received her award (it made sense at the time, trust me...you had to be there!)

The entire graduating class of leader students, along with the teacher students and faculty-hee-hee. Click on this photo  to see it larger.

Laughing Laura with the camp director, Dick Iverson

Jody Ross, the amazing fairy princess cowgirl and Laughter Yoga Teacher

The group going for a wagon ride

Nancy Greenwald, Michelle Erschen, Dan & Jill Johnson and Laughing Laura—and no, we did not plan this...we just all naturally chose chicken laughter-wear. Bawk Bawk!

Happy Hippie Chick & Laughter Yoga Leader, Lynette McCormack

Happy Dan!

Rev. Jenna Couch—a pastor AND Laughter Yoga Leader

Laughter Yoga Leader Sandra Jones

Laughing Laura in a teaching moment

Dan Johnson giving a presentation to the group

Kathy Wilkinson with Laughing Laura (she about had a cow over those udders!)

Laughing Laura with Carolyn Christopher

Kathy laughing all the way

Dan is some bunny!

Jill Johnson with another great laugh

Faculty-Hee-Hee from South Dakota—the irrepressible laughing duo Dan & Jill Johnson

Laughter Yoga Teacher, Teddy Bruns

Laughing Laura & Laughter Yoga Teacher Sue Kiefer doing a cow kick

Moo!

Just another hilarious moment at laughter school

Kathy Wilkinson and Deb Olson—both Laughter Yoga Teachers

Teddy presenting Laughing Laura with a magic bubble wand!

Laughing Laura being amazed with the bubble wand

Laughing Laura enjoying the big bubbles of the wand!

The teacher graduation ceremony

Teddy rocking it at the graduation

More unbridled celebration




Deb Olson receiving her diploma

Sue Kiefer receiving her diploma

Carolyn Christopher giving Laughing Laura some love as she receives her diploma
\
Teddy Bruns cheers to receive her diploma
Jill Johnson with a big cheer

The whole group of teachers giving one another laughter blessings

Here it is, the graduation picture of the first class of Teachers
Jody Ross in a teaching moment


Doing some yogic breathing

More teaching from Laughing Laura

The valley at the beautiful retreat center, Sugar Creek Bible Camp

Dan sharing his logo for life

Laughing Laura explaining the meaning of her Be Laughter painting

Teddy and Carolyn


Here is a list of contact information for the graduates. They are all prepared and ready to laugh with you and your organization!


LAUGHTER YOGA LEADERS

Betsy J. Kennedy
Madison, WI
608-274-2902

Dianne Jones
West Des Moines, IA 

Susan Rhodes
Milwaukee, WI 

Sandra Jones
Madison, WI 

Angeline Jensen
Rochester, MN
507-398-9709

Kim Doffing
Burnsville, MN 

Jenna Couch
Dubuque, IA

Josie Milan
Lakeville, MN 
612-618-1149

Judy Hora
Waterloo, IA
319-342-2255

Karla Fernet 
Rockford, IL 
815-519-4977

Linda Dingels
Northfield MN
507-581-3826

Paula Achenbach
Northfield, MN

Lynette McCormack
West Chester, OH


LAUGHTER YOGA TEACHERS

Deborah Olson
Rochester, MN 
507-358-3331 

Carolyn Christopher
Ann Arbor, MI 

Kathy Wilkinson
Ann Arbor, MI 

Teddy Bruns
LaPorte City, IA 
515-210-0335

Susan Kiefer
New Franken, WI 
920-866-2540