Laughing Laura Gentry is passionate about laughter! Ha ha ha! During her college years, she
was healed of an ulcer by laughing with friends. That's right: laughter
alone healed her. At that point, she made a life decision to be a
laughter. So when she heard about the worldwide laughter movement, she
knew it was something with which she had to get involved.
In 2006, Laura flew to California to study with Sebastien Gendry at the American School of Laughter Yoga. Revved up with laughter, she returned and started Iowa's first Laughter Club.
The club was an immediate success and drew national media attention.
This sparked her interest in becoming a laughter yoga teacher so she studied with Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of laughter yoga.
She has written a number of articles about laugh
ter yoga (such as this one) and appears as the laughter coach in the book Finding My Way, an autobiography by a Labradoodle named May McGregor Bourret. Read more about the book here. Laughing Laura also wrote a chapter for an upcoming book on laughter yoga edited by Jeffrey Briar.
As a laughter producer, Laura has created a Laughter Yoga film for children, a Laughter Yoga workout CD for
commuters and Today is a Laughing Day, an album of laughter songs for kids and kids at heart—all great resources for Laughter Clubs.
In 2008 Dr. Madan Kataria has awarded Laura the title of "Laughter Ambassador" for her creative contributions to world laughter.
In 2008 Dr. Madan Kataria has awarded Laura the title of "Laughter Ambassador" for her creative contributions to world laughter.
Laughing Laura seeks to live in the Spirit of Laughter at all times. Her cell phone ringtone is a recording of laughter so when it "rings" she has to say: "Excuse me, my phone is laughing!." But that's just the beginning: she laughs with her houseplants, speaks gibberish with dogs, wears polka dotted rubber boots and silly hats around town, giggles in the library, interrupts herself to say "tee hee," jumps in puddles, writes silly songs about laughter, gives hugs to everyone who will let her, bounces, roars, sticks her tongue out for fun, impersonates turtles, wiggles, greets people with a hearty chortle, laughs while she drives—even her CAR laughs, as you can see by the picture of her license plate below!
Laughing Laura's motto is:
just be yourself—somebody's gotta do it
and you're the most qualified!
just be yourself—somebody's gotta do it
and you're the most qualified!
With well over a decade of ministry and motivational speaking experience, Laughing Laura brings
radiant energy, joy and wisdom to her laughter yoga presentations. Hire her. You'll see!
Laughing Laura has been featured on television and in various print media publications. Visit the press and testimonials page to read more.
At Laura's Laughter Blog, Laughing With Laura you can become a subscriber and receive regular e-mail updates. As a special THANK YOU for signing up, you'll also receive an e-mail with 100 free laughter exercises so sign up today!
Laughing Laura has been featured on television and in various print media publications. Visit the press and testimonials page to read more.
At Laura's Laughter Blog, Laughing With Laura you can become a subscriber and receive regular e-mail updates. As a special THANK YOU for signing up, you'll also receive an e-mail with 100 free laughter exercises so sign up today!
LAUGHTER PRESENTATIONS
Whatever your programmatic needs, Laughing Laura can work with you to create an exciting, memorable experience for everyone. Energizing and motivating people to think creatively and work productively is easy with laughter yoga. Consider utilizing her laughter leadership at the following events:
• Conferences
You can't go wrong with laughter yoga at conferences. These brief, large-group laughter experiences can provide an excellent ice-breaker at the start of an event, revitalize the group after lunch, and deliver a memorable send-them-home-with-a-bang closing session.
• Church Programs
Let Pastor Laura share her theological musings about the Joy of the Lord and how laughter helps increase it! As a minister, she loves the church setting and has worked extensively with church camps, women's groups, ecumenical gatherings and more. Learn how to pray with laughter, sing "Jesus Loves Me" as you chuckle and learn about the ancient tradition of Holy Hilarity Sunday. You'll laughing off the pews with Laura's laughter programs.
• Health Events
Laura loves to do laughter programs for health care providers. She explains the scientific basis for therapeutic laughter and then allows participants to experience the joy of laughing in this way.
• Workshops & Retreats
Laughter yoga can enable people to work cooperatively and collaboratively from the start. The entire group dynamic shifts after laughing together.
• Training Days
Create enjoyable events that encourage everyone's participation. Laughter yoga is a fun and powerful way to help participants leave their inhibitions at the door and get into serious creative & learning mode.
• Meetings
Energize and renew your staff. It makes good business sense. Laughter sessions help to dissolve tensions within a group and increase productivity. Just after the session may prove to be the best time to promote new initiatives and strategies.
• Conferences
You can't go wrong with laughter yoga at conferences. These brief, large-group laughter experiences can provide an excellent ice-breaker at the start of an event, revitalize the group after lunch, and deliver a memorable send-them-home-with-a-bang closing session.
• Church Programs
Let Pastor Laura share her theological musings about the Joy of the Lord and how laughter helps increase it! As a minister, she loves the church setting and has worked extensively with church camps, women's groups, ecumenical gatherings and more. Learn how to pray with laughter, sing "Jesus Loves Me" as you chuckle and learn about the ancient tradition of Holy Hilarity Sunday. You'll laughing off the pews with Laura's laughter programs.
Laura loves to do laughter programs for health care providers. She explains the scientific basis for therapeutic laughter and then allows participants to experience the joy of laughing in this way.
• Workshops & Retreats
Laughter yoga can enable people to work cooperatively and collaboratively from the start. The entire group dynamic shifts after laughing together.
• Training Days
Create enjoyable events that encourage everyone's participation. Laughter yoga is a fun and powerful way to help participants leave their inhibitions at the door and get into serious creative & learning mode.
• Meetings
Energize and renew your staff. It makes good business sense. Laughter sessions help to dissolve tensions within a group and increase productivity. Just after the session may prove to be the best time to promote new initiatives and strategies.
GELOTOLGIST, DR. HA
Gelotology is the term for the scientific study of laughter. Gelotologists are very serious about this hilarious work. When you hire Laura, you'll discover the miracle drug of laughter and how it can work for you. Laughing and learning makes every event more fun.
Gelotology is the term for the scientific study of laughter. Gelotologists are very serious about this hilarious work. When you hire Laura, you'll discover the miracle drug of laughter and how it can work for you. Laughing and learning makes every event more fun.
HO HO HA HA HA!
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.
"Laughing Laura is amazing! I made no mistake in awarding her the title of Laughter Ambassador. She speaks from her heart and inspires people with her true, joyful spirit.
Her knowledge of laughter yoga and her teaching skills are incredible.
Laughing Laura is surely one of my best Laughter Professors."
—Dr. Madan Kataria
Laughter Yoga Founder
Copyright 2007 — The Gentry Joint
Paintings & design by Laura Gentry. Photography by William F. Gentry ll. All rights reserved.