I have not posted in quite awhile.  You know, life happens.  I have moved to South Carolina and am getting to know the landscape here for wellness programs.  I recently attended the conference for Applied and Therapeutic Humor www.aath.org.  This energized me to get back on track with laughter programs.  I am updating this website and marketing materials.  I am back to daily laughter - well most everyday, but I am working at it.  I feel so much better after a laughter session.  Nothing else gives me that feeling.  Look out for more updated information in the near future.  Love and laughter to all.

I am hosting a small group training on October 14-15 for participants to become Certified Laughter Yoga Leaders.  This is the last call for registration. Only a couple of slots left. Please submit a contact form by September 30th in order to get details about the training.  It will change your life and your work.  Laughter is the Best Medicine!

I am excited about the staff from Rosswoods Center in Dalton, GA whom I recently trained as LY Leaders.  They will be leading laughter sessions with the participants and staff.  It will become an even happier place for all.

I am very excited about the Laughter Yoga workshop May 6-7th in Rome.  We are offering two training opportunities.  Day One is an overview of the benefits of laughter and how to use laughter to reduce stress and improve wellness.  Participants can choose to come just to Day One which is called the Laughter Yoga Basics Course.  The other option is to attend both days and receive certification as a Laughter Yoga Leader.  Both courses receive manuals and other resources.

This new option offering expands the number of participants who may be interested in the benefits of laughter and how to incorporate laughter into their lives, both personally and professionally, but not interested in the certification.  The Basic Course provides all the tools needed to gain the benefits of laughter.  There will also be lots of laughter exercises practiced.

For participants interested in leading groups in laughter, the two day certification is for them.  Laughter Yoga has been successful with so many types of groups.  To name a few: caregiver support, Alzheimer/dementia patients, substance abuse recovery, cancer patients, heart patients, senior citizens, children, and bereavement.  Facilitation skills and exercises will be taught and participants will practice these skills during the workshop.

CEUs are being offered for social workers.  Awaiting approval for LPCs.  But the workshops are open to anyone interested in laughter.  See the Training Opportunities tab for training and registration details.

It will be the most fun workshop you have ever attended.  Laughs are Guaranteed!

I am very excited about the turnout at the two Laughter Club sessions at the Charles Parker Senior Center.  Since I retired from fulltime work, I was able to schedule a morning and early afternoon session.  This seems to work better for more people.  It has been so much fun.  We have started ending each session with words of Gratitude.  I try to incorporate all the elements of Joy in each session:  laughing, playing, singing, dancing and gratefulness.  My hope is that all participants will leave each session feeling better than when we started and will continue with feelings of Joy throughout the day. I invite everyone to give Laughter a try.

Laughter yoga is about laughing for no reason, without jokes, comedy and humor.  But props do help initiate laughter.  I am so excited about my new laughter toy I received for Christmas from my daughter.  It is called a "Crack Up" and it is the sound of a child laughing.  What can be more contagious than the laugh of a child.  Everyone time I press the button, I can't help but laugh myself silly.  And for my laughter yoga folks, notice the zipper - Zipper Laughter.  This is one of my daughter's favorite laughter exercises.  That makes this toy even more meaningful.  I loaded the video on my Facebook page if you want to have a listen.

So, always remember that toys are valuable tools to keep us laughing and to be joyful.  Laughter Yoga is about being childlike and toys are an important part of childhood.  We may have grown-up toys now, but don't forget the toys that make us laugh.  We need to keep one or two toys to help us deal with the stress of adulthood.  Play, laugh, sing and dance this year to keep yourself healthy in mind, body and spirit. 

I am dreaming of a Pink Christmas. Let me explain what this means.  Since "in the pink" refers to being in good health, I am wishing everyone health and happiness this holiday season and into the new year.  I want to help spread joy and laughter to enhance the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of others.  So, remember that laughter is important.  It will help you deal with stress.  So laugh often: ho, ho, ha, ha, ha! And, laughter helps connect us with others and improves relationships.  Hugging laughter is great!    Have a very Merry and Pink Christmas!

My vision with laughter yoga is to share the laughter skills with as many people as possible.  Happiness and joy are part of the basic emotions that impact everything we do.  To choose to be happy makes a huge difference in our lives.  Notice I said CHOOSE.  Our emotions are a choice, but sometimes we need help to remember that we are in control of our feelings.  Laughing brings on feelings of happiness by releasing the endorphins in our brain.  Feeling happy can lead to feelings of joy.  So laughter can bring us Joy!

I am excited about the upcoming Leader Training.  The more people who get trained, the more people that can be impacted by laughter and feelings of joy.  Please contact me if you would like to learn how to teach laughter skills to others in any environment.

I am really enjoying the beginning of the on-line Laughter Summit.  It is so affirming to be in the company of people who love laughing and humor and who have been touched by the healing power of laughter.  If you haven't registered to listen to the interviews, go to www.laughtersummit.com.

And, don't forget to check out my upcoming Certified Laughter Yoga Leader Training in September.