LAUGHING AT MY ALMA MATER

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to share laughter yoga with the Women's Club of Luther College—my very own alma mater. We had a fabulous time with all the laughing ladies. Below, I am pictured with the organizers, Marilynn Larson and Ruby Hermeier.

The following article ran in the Decorah Newspapers.

Laughter Yoga is program for Luther College Woman's Club

Laura Gentry, Director of the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga, will present the program of the Luther College Woman's Club Tuesday, March 20, at 1:30 p.m.

Gentry, known as "Laughing Laura," lives in McGregor and directs the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga. She is a Laughter Yoga master trainer and has been named a laughter ambassador by Laughter Club International.

Laughing Laura is the producer of a number of Laughter Yoga resources including the film "Laughter Friends: A Laughter Yoga Workout for Kids," which has been recommended by the American Library Association and sent to U.S. military bases around the world to support healthy families as a part of Operation Military Kid. She has led Laughter Yoga around the U.S. and in five foreign countries so far.

A 1992 graduate of Luther College, Gentry also is an ordained minister in the ELCA and pastor of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lansing.

Luther College Woman's Club meets monthly in the Peace Dining Room of the Dahl Centennial Union at 1:30 p.m. All women from Decorah and surrounding communities are welcomed and encouraged to attend Luther College Woman's Club.

Refreshments are served following the program, brief business meeting and an update on current events at Luther College. Shuttle service from the Decorah Swimming Pool parking lot is available. Call Ruby Hermeier at (563) 382-4999 to arrange for this service. 

Childcare also is available during the meetings. Call Amy Bruening at (563) 382-8604 to arrange for this service.

LUTHER COLLEGE NOW HAS A LAUGHING STAFF

On Wednesday, August 11th, I was invited to be the keynote speaker at Luther College's Staff Day. This was a most wonderful opportunity as Luther College in Decorah, Iowa is my very own alma mater. What a delight to come back to the very place that shaped my personal journey so profoundly and share my newfound joy with the staff by teaching them laughter yoga.

In addition to doing an opening address entitled "Laughter Renewal," I led a small group workshop in yoga breathing and laughing alone techniques.

Here's a testimonial from one of the event organizers:

Laura's presentation, "Laughter Renewal," was a hit a Luther's annual staff day this year. Laura's laughter yoga offers a unique integration of levity and depth that helps participants make the connection between laughter and well being. The engagement and response in Laughter Renewal crossed lines of rank and station that are often evident in gatherings of faculty and staff. Laura integration of creativity, movement and levity with reflections on well being, community, and theology connected with our staff. If your group could use some joy, depth, and community building, call Laura—but be warned, you'll laugh a lot!!

—Rev. Mike Blair

Campus Pastor, Luther College

Below are some of the action shots I took. They were a most enthusiastic group with high energy and so there's quite a bit of blur but I think that tells the story. We had a fantastic time! I'm happy to say that Luther College now has a laughing staff and they're going to have a very good school year. Yay!