WELCOME

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Thank you for visiting the happy laughter site of Laughter yoga teacher, Laughing Laura Gentry: welcome, welcome, welcome!

As we all know, laughter is the best medicine. It is incredibly good for you! It improves physical, emotional and spiritual health. In fact, it does much more than most people realize. Did you know that laughter can do all of the following things (and

perhaps much more that scientists have yet to discover)?

• Improves overall sense of well-being
• Burns calories
• Boosts happiness
• Strengthens and balances the immune system
• Releases endorphins to naturally relieve pain
• Decreases the level of stress hormone
• Lowers blood pressure
• Nurtures creativity
• Reduces risk of heart disease
• Floods the body with a natural "happy hormone"
• Helps manage and overcome depression
• Deepens inner peace
• Breaks social isolation and fosters new friendships
• Develops self-confidence
• Alleviates the discomfort of specific physical challenges
• Aids the body in keeping blood sugar at a healthy level
• Cultivates your childlike playfulness for a happier you

Yes, laughter can do all that! Dr. Lee Berk, a famous laughter scientist (known as a gelatologist), says that if you bottled up all the healthy effects of laughter into a pill, you'd need FDA approval! It is that powerful, has no side effects and it is free.

LAUGHTER YOGA

So yes, laughter is amazing medicine for mind, body, and spirit. The problem is that most people don't laugh enough. Adults in America average somewhere around the dismal rate of just 17 laughs a day. How can we laugh more?

This was the question that puzzled Dr. Madan Kataria, a family practice physician from India. As a result of his search to bring more laughter into the lives of his patients, Dr. Kataria and his wife started a worldwide la

ughter movement. They combined laughter "exercises" with deep yoga breathing and called it laughter yoga. This concept is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter. You gets the same physiological and psychological benefits either way. Safe, easy and scientifically proven to boost health, laughter yoga is a lot of fun. What started with just 5 people in 1995 is now a global phenomenon with over 6,000 clubs in 60 countries.

Like Dr. Madan Kataria, Laughing Laura wanted to spread joy. So became a certified laughter yoga teacher and opened Iowa's first laughter school, the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga. The school has trained many laughter yoga leaders from around the country, some of whom have started laughter

clubs of their own. Two-day seminars are scheduled periodically throughout the Midwest and beyond. Now you can become a certified laughter yoga leader on-line with Laura's new e-course. Click here for details.

Laughing Laura has been named a "Laughter Ambassador" by Laughter Club International for her creative contributions to world laughter. She is a nationally recognized motivational speaker who has appeared at many health and wellness conferences, church and community events. Anyone who needs a laugh can benefit from Laura's interactive presentations. Learn more about her at the about Laughing Laura page.

She is also a producer of laughter products designed to spread the laughter movement even further. Visit The Laughter Shoppe at this site to browse her happy, laughing items.

LaughingLaura.com is your guide to Laura's laughter work, school and product line. Thank you for visiting. Be sure to subscribe to Laura's blog, Laughing with Laura, to get regular updates that will help you laugh more.

Get updates from Laughing Laura filled with laughter inspiration simply by entering your e-mail address above. As an added bonus, you'll receive 100 free Laughter Yoga exercises. Subscribe today. ha ha ha!

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Laughter Friends: A Laughter Yoga Workout for Kids is the energetic brainchild of Laughing Laura. She produced, directed and starred in this 36 minute film designed to give children a fabulous workout while having fun. It has been recommended by the American Library Association and sells internationally. To purchase a copy visit the Laughter Shoppe.

Laughing Laura has also released a children's album, Today is a Laughing Day, with 15 happy laughter songs and a swingin' jazz trio. You can purchase it at the Laughter Shoppe or download it instantly at DigStation.

Keep stress at bay while your driving by listening to Laura's CD, Laugh Your Way There. This laughter workout keeps the laughter rolling for commuters.

An avid writer, Laughing Laura is author of Living Word, an inspirational fine art book published by Penfield Books. It asks the question: "What one word defines you?" and features black and white photographic portraits of people wearing T-shirts bearing their chosen word. Click here to learn more and order a copy at Amazon.com.

And for a taste of Laura's artistic stylings, visit the galleries at www.thegentryjoint.com, where you'll find Laura's paintings and her husband's photography (also featured at this site).

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