Laughing Laura has had a life-long talent for laughing. HA HA HA! As you can tell from this website, she is passionate about sharing the gift of laughter.

It is personal for Laura. That’s because when she was in college, she suffered from a stress-induced ulcer. By laughing with friends, she healed herself of this debilitating illness. She hadn’t even set out to do so, but laughing lowered her stress, and thus enabled her body to heal itself. Ever since then, she’s been fully committed to spreading world laughter.

When Laughing Laura heard about the worldwide laughter club movement, she just had to get involved. She began as a certified laughter yoga leader in 2006 and started the first laughter club at a church. The next year, she studied under the laughing master himself, Dr. Madan Kataria and opened the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga. She trained many laughter yoga leaders from around the country and got on a laughter speaking circuit—offering levity to medical conventions, church gatherings, support groups, wellness events and much more. 

One of the unique things about her is that she is also an ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Yes, her real name is the Reverend Laura Gentry, though these days she is known as “The Laughing Pastor.” She is the minister of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lansing, Iowa. She’s done ground-breaking work by combining laughter yoga with traditional Christian ministry. Learn more at her Holy Hysterics page.

Laughing Laura has produced a number of creative, laughter resources including 6 CDs, 5 posters, a book and the film “Laugh Friends: A Laughter Yoga Workout for Kids.”  These items are available at Amazon.com and The Laughter Shoppe.

The media loves a happy story so Laughing Laura has been featured on television and in a variety of print publications including Ode Magazine. She wrote a chapter for Dr. Kataria's new book The Inner Spirit of Laughter; Five Secrets from a Laughing Guru. She's been included as a revolutionary in Jeffrey Briar's book Laughter Revolutionaries: Making the World Safe for Hilarity. Laura is quoted as a laughter expert in the book Am I Really Hungry? Sixth Sense Diet: Intuitive Eating by Jane Bernard. Visit the press and testimonials page to read more.

Laughter Yoga International has recognized her noteworthy contributations to the laughter movement. They named Laughing Laura a Laughter Ambassador in 2008, then selected her as the first woman in America to become a Laughter Yoga Master Trainer.

With twenty years of ministry and motivational speaking experience, Laughing Laura brings radiant energy, professionalism and wisdom to the all her laughing presentations.

Get updates from Laughing Laura filled with laughter inspiration simply by entering your e-mail address above. You’ll be the first to find out about special seminars and great deals on laughter products. It’s FREE!  Be sure to verify your subscription by clicking the link that’s emailed to you.