Anne Marie Gullickson, a graduate of the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga, is featured July August issue of the Rochester Women Magzine. I'm so proud of her and her outstanding laughter work to spread the laughter movement in Rochester, Minnesota. Very Good, Very Good, YAY, Anne Marie! Below is a reprint of the article. To read the entire magazine as a PDF file, click here.
When Ann Marie Gullickson walks into a room donning a pink fluorescent wig and matching boa, it’s hard not to laugh.
Gullickson, a certified laughter yoga instructor, recently conducted a seminar for employees of the Division of Preventative,Occupational and Aerospace Medicine at
Mayo Clinic, helping employees realize the benefits of laughter.
“There are four dimensions of the benefits of laughter: physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual,” Gullickson said.
“Laughter is a tool that can decrease blood pressure, increase employee morale and relieve pain or fear.”
Gullickson became interested in laughter yoga by accident. “I had gone to the library to check out a movie on planning a trip to India and instead I got a video on laughing yoga,” she said.
“I watched it, and when I got to India, I actually went to the birthplace of laughing yoga in Mumbai and decided when I got back to Rochester to look for a training program.”
In the two years since Gullickson has been a certified instructor, she has given approximately 24 laughter yoga sessions.
“It is stress relieving and can change the way you think about problems,” she said.
“After a session, we all still have the same problems, we just don’t care as much.”
Participants were introduced to a myriad of laughter yoga techniques, all based on the theory that the body cannot differentiate between real and fake laughter.
Self-triggered laughter was the result of activities such as “scales of laughter,” looking through “laughter binoculars” and singing Happy Birthday using laughter.
Also included were calming chants and breathing exercises, tying in the yoga component.
“We are always trying to look for things we can do to inform employees while at the same time making it fun,” said Dr. Donald Hensrud, Division Chair of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine at Mayo Clinic. “I think it was a success. Even if they didn’t laugh during the presentation, they will laugh thinking about it afterward.”
Participant Esther Heath, a registered nurse, enjoyed her first experience with laughter yoga. “It’s pretty silly,” Heath said. “Laughter is good for us though. We should all laugh more often.”
Co-worker Marta Fuentealba, also a registered nurse, said “I’m open to a new way to explore feeling better so I participate. You always feel better when you laugh.” It is that sentiment that Gullickson hopes to spread during the sessions.
“Most people are still brand new to laughter yoga,” Gullickson said. “It catches people off guard at first, but people find that sharing in laughter is a great way to build bridges.”
Julie Amy, a patient appointment coordinator, couldn’t agree more. “This is my first experience with laughing yoga,” she said. “I laugh all the time anyway, but I had a co-worker who came today in a bad mood and she feels better now, so it works.”
Gullickson urges participants to “tap into your self-care using laughter to find a playful, fun way to interact with others. Laughter truly is a universal language.”
Anne Marie Gullickson leads a laughter yoga session with the Rochester Women staff and friends.
Laugh With Us!
Connie De Lorme is a retired health care
professional willing to help develop laughter
yoga clubs around southeastern minnesota.
If you have a group of people who want to
laugh regularly for 30 to 45 minutes once or
twice a week, contact dr. connie de lorme,
507-289 8495.
Ann Marie Gullickson. to schedule your
laughter yoga session, contact ann marie at
507-282-2308.
Laughing Laura Gentry runs the Iowa school
of laughter yoga, with laughter yoga leader
training. she also has laughter cds available
for purchase. she certified all the instructors
listed in this article. Visit laughinglaura.com.
Deb Olson lives in rochester and, as
a Franciscan skemp health Promotion
consultant in la crosse, wisc., gives laughter
yoga presentations to businesses, schools
and organizations and leads a laughter club at
Franciscan skemp. “It is difficult for employees
to allow themselves to take a break from their
busy day and do something as ‘silly’ as laugh
and deep breathe,” she says, “but so many
comment on how good they feel the rest of
their day.” contact her at 507-358-3331 or
livingalive2010@gmail.com.
Benefits of Laughter Yoga
• reduces stress
• Improves heart health and lowers blood pressure
• burns calories
• lowers blood sugar
• boosts immune system
• manages pains
• slows the aging process
• Improves bronchitis and asthma
• Facilitates sleep
• enhances mood
• Improves self-confidence
• creates a sense of well-being
• complements your traditional health care
• benefits are felt almost immediately
• you can never overdose and addiction is not harmful
