FIRST LAUGHTER YOGA WORLD CONGRESS IN MEXICO

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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