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Laughter is the best medicine
March 29, 2012
Waverly, Iowa—Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine. Pastor Laura Gentry of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Lansing, Iowa, shared her “Holy Hysterics” program at LSI’s Bremwood Residential Treatment Center on Tuesday, March 6, during a worship service.
“Holy Hysterics” combines traditional Christian ministry with laughter yoga, an innovative exercise involving laughter and deep yogic breathing. Gentry has now shared her laughter ministry on five continents, most recently in Africa.
“This form of ministry is very uplifting,” explains Gentry. “It utilizes contagious laughter to help people tap into the joy of the Lord.”
LSI’s Bremwood Residential Treatment Center provides 24-7 mental health services for youth ages 12 to 18 with severe emotional or behavior disorders. Many of the youth have experienced trauma from past abuse or neglect.
Thanks to generous community support, LSI also provides voluntary spiritual life activities to address the mind, body and spirit needs of youth.
“If laughter heals, let’s all laugh a lot,” said P.C., a 15-year-old at Bremwood. “I felt pretty good after our laughter worship and enjoyed it a lot.”
“Laura’s winsome presentation was a hit with our youth,” said Pastor Dennis Bauer, LSI spiritual life leader. “Some were cautiously curious, but even those teens paid attention and listened. Those who engaged with the laughter were blessed with a deep relaxation and trust in the moment. They’re already asking when she’ll be back.”
For more information about Gentry’s ministry, visit www.laughinglaura.com.
LSI is one of Iowa's largest human services agencies and impacts tens of thousands of Iowans annually through child abuse prevention, services for families and youth in crisis, services for people with disabilities, refugee services, home health care and disaster response. LSI is nationally accredited and serves people of all ages, genders, nationalities, religions, ethnicities and sexual orientations. To learn more, visit www.LSIowa.org. Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LSI.iowa.
1 comment:
Laughing has always been my partner since I was just a kid. It is an indication, most of the time, of happiness. I never tried and I don't know how it feels like being in a residential treatment facility but I would say that laughing would be very helpful.
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