CALLING ALL KIDS & KIDS AT HEART!
Join Laughing Laura and her Laughter Friends in this fun, easy-to-follow laughter yoga workout on DVD—the only one of its kind! Laughter yoga is a new phenomenon sweeping the globe. It was developed in 1995 by Madan Kataria, a medical doctor from India, and is now practiced in more than 70 countries. The basic premise of laughter yoga is that anyone can
laugh, even without jokes or a sense of humor. All we need is the desire to laugh and let the joyful energy flow. Laughter yoga combines deep yogic breathing, stretching, and relaxation with laughter exercises for maximum health benefits.
This program contains a high-impact laughter yoga workout designed specifically for children, complete with
a warm up, deep breathing, catchy tunes, guided relaxation and 27 unique laughter exercises.
Each part of the workout is demonstrated by Laughing Laura and her 19 Laughter Friends, children ages 4 to 12. The whole family can exercise together with this easy-to-follow routine and cultivate a more positive outlook on life. What could be more fun?
Laughter Friends, now in its third edition, also features five original laughter songs with subtitles so you can sing along. These songs, along with ten others, have been developed into a full-length, studio album called Today is a Laughing Day. There's also a new special feature video message from Dr. Kataria himself. And it comes packaged in a cool, environmentally friendly DVD digipak made with certified green components.
This film is Laughing Laura's most popular laughter yoga resource and for good reason. It has been recommended by the American Library Association (see review below) and is now found in libraries around the world. It was also selected by Operation Military Kid to be included in special care packages sent to children of deployed US military personnel. Learn more here.
Produced by The Gentry Joint
First Edition © 2007, Second Edition © 2008, Third Edition © 2011 William & Laura Gentry
Filmed and edited by Red Letter Media
Music composed by Tom Bourcier and
Laura and William Gentry
To learn more about the worldwide laughter yoga movement visit: www.laughteryoga.org
Laughter yoga is a high
impact, aerobic exercise. Please laugh responsibly.
Total running time:
36 minutes
Recommended-Only Review
Laura Gentry hosts this laughter yoga workout for young children. The premise of the workout is that laughter (even laughing at things not particularly funny) relaxes and energizes participants. Although the routines only remotely resemble traditional yoga, they do involve some breathing, stretching and relaxing. Attired in a floppy pink hat and using exaggerated gestures, the teacher leads a rowdy group of youngsters through orchestrated movements punctuated by loud, forced laughter and musical accompaniment. Marching around in a circle like elephants, giving each other “laughter” handshakes, and jumping imaginary ropes allow the gleeful kids to enjoy a good workout punctuated by a large dose of playfulness.
—Candace Smith
American Library Association
Booklist Magazine,
April 1, 2008
A New Initiative in America
Modern life has robbed children of much of their playtime due to video games, television and the Internet. They are losing their natural childlike playfulness and joy.
Reports have proven that laughter yoga is very beneficial to children as it helps reduce their tensions, especially in academics and interpersonal relations.
By producing this Laughter Yoga film for children, Laughing Laura has started a new initiative in America that will help young people laugh and play more, thus developing their emotional intelligence and communication skills as they grow.
—Dr. Madan Kataria, Laughter Yoga Founder
Laughter Friends is recommended as a laughter yoga resource in an article about the health benefits of laughing. It can be found in the May 2008 issue of Healthcare Traveler Magazine.
Essentially Wonderful!
I am excited and tickled about this DELIGHTFUL film, which is helping bring about awareness of Laughter Yoga. I have a copy of it within arm’s reach at all times!
—Jeffrey Briar
(appeared on Oprah, Dancing with the Stars, Geraldo, etc.)
Director of the Laughter Yoga Institute
of Laguna Beach, California USA
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
Certifiably GREAT for kids and adults!I wholeheartedly recommend this beautifully done film by Laughing Laura and her wonderful, young laughing friends! Laura is such a lovely and pure spirit and she clearly understands children. This reasonably priced film has it all: an adorable cast in colorful costumes, exuberant laughter exercises, deep breathing, relaxation, positive messages, and catchy laughter songs. The music and artwork are stunningly congruent with the theme and very appropriate for children. Overall, it highlights the goodness and purity of intention behind Laughter Yoga. I love it! Laughter Friends makes my heart sing!
—Dr. Funshine (a.k.a. Caroline Ann Meeks) M.D.
Pediatrician, Laughter Yoga Teacher & Mother of Three
Fun At-Home Exercise Routine for Kids & ParentsI have been doing the Laughter Friends workout with my 4 year-old daughter in the evenings. She loves the open, playful structure of the workout and she sleeps better afterwards. As a working parent with a hectic schedule, it is difficult to take time for exercise but with this DVD, I am able to exercise with my child in an easy, stress-free manner at home. There are not a lot of options out there like this so I am delighted to have discovered Laughter Friends. I certainly hope other parents will discover it too.
—Karyl Fritsche
Laughter Yoga Leader & Parent
An Educator's DreamAs an educator, I found Laughter Friends to be refreshing and delightful. I would highly recommend this to fellow educators. It is an amazing and productive way to foster team work and acceptance among students. As a parent, I found Laughter Friends to be a great bonding tool with my son. We have had so much fun and many laughs with this energetic brainchild of Laura Gentry!
—Rhonda Locklair
Laughter Yoga Leader, Artist, Educator & Parent
Kids will Adore this video My 8 & 10 year-old children have enjoyed this video tremendously! One can't help but giggle even while listening to it from the other room ~ ha ha ha ha! Kids will get their insides jiggling from laughter, leaving them refreshed and happy (and they sleep better too!). We love it!
—Jennifer Christiason
Laughter Yoga Leader, Nurse & Parent
Laughter Friends is a Great Icebreaker!Last summer I participated in a twelve-day young-adult gathering where Laura Gentry led the group in daily laughter sessions. It became one of the highlights of the gathering. I enjoyed the exercises so much that I bought the DVD to share with my adult friends, and to use as an icebreaker. It makes me laugh every time I play it.
—Kathleen Peer, Parent & Peacemaker
Enjoyable Gift for Grandchildren I purchased Laughter Friends as a Valentine for my 5 grandchildren ages 2-7 (2 families). They all enjoyed it and had fun joining in the activity. It makes a great gift!
—Mary Schweitzer, Grandparent
Laughter Yoga Workout & Songs for Kids are empoweringLaughter Yoga instructor, Laura Gentry, invites children to join in on the experience of Laughter Yoga. In the video 19 children—boys and girls of various ages (from pre-school to approx. 12-years-old)— participate in Laughter Yoga exercises. The group activities involve movement and sound. What could be better than getting exercise, feeling better, and interacting with others? This is natural for young children who love to play, act silly, dance and sing...but some older children become inhibited and embarrassed...(and that kind of attitude can dampen the rest of our lives!) This video is a great reminder to get up and move, interact and laugh. It can be used like a workout video or as activities to incorporate with your own children. I am a bit of a quiet, introspective person and it is not my usual routine to be exuberant and noisy and interactive—however I came away with higher energy and a positive outlook when I allowed myself time to be silly and to laugh.
—M. Pettit , Librarian
Laughter for the Young & Young at HeartWatching these joyful children do laughter yoga with instructor Laughing Laura is good for the heart - no matter what your age. Get a couple of copies - you are going to want to share this one with your children's friends, and your nieces and nephews too!
—Kelli Boylen, Parent
Laughter Friends is a MUST for anyone with children!As a physician, I see how much stress there is in the lives of children these days. This DVD is a refreshing experience, that gets children and fun-loving adults moving and feeling happy. It is contagious! This is a GREAT GIFT idea for all those birthday parties your kids are invited too- no more shopping for plastic things that fall apart right away! My daughter even shared it with her Kindergarten class. The teacher loved it!
—K. Phelan, Family Physician & Parent
5 Laughing Sparkly Stars of LaughterSo Much fun for all ages! I had a ball of joy with our 5 children ages 4-10. They all got into it! Laughter is contagious and this DVD got us dancing and laughing to the easy to catch onto songs. Not only did we laugh but we shared precious time together. The songs are well written, the packaging professional and Laura shines as a Laughter Leader. This DVD is a blessing to our family.
—Rebecca Grantham, Parent
What an AWESOME DVD!Wow, what a fantastic DVD! Laura Gentry's Laughing Friends is a real hit with kids—and adults who like to have fun! This DVD motivates kids to exercise, laugh and be creative together. I highly recommend this DVD for parents, educators, day care providers and anyone who works with children.
—Michelle M. Erschen, Parent & Educator
A Fabulous & Engaging DVD for Kids! Laughing, Singing & Dancing in AustraliaI love this DVD! I laughed & danced & sang (in gibberish because I didn't know the words—that will change the more I see it) with you and your gorgeous laughter friends. Thank you, Laughing Laura, for the joy you bring and your light-filled spirit. Sending you a heart to heart laugh.
—Jen Smith, Laughter Yoga Teacher, Australia
Autistic Boy Loves this Video—Smiling & Groov'in!I shared this kids video with a severe autistic boy at laughter yoga session yesterday. It made him laugh and smile—big breakthrough. He usually keeps his head down. This helped to engage and delight him. Thanks!
E-mail your customer reviews to laughterlaura@yahoo.com
or post them at Amazon.com.
FILM CREDITS
production manager
William F. Gentry II
composer/accompanist/music editor
Red Letter Media
editor/camera operator
Mike Stoklasa
camera operator
CAST
Laughing Laura
Ayla Boylen
Samson Boylen
Lauren Bruneau
Anna Bruneau
Siri Fretheim
Kayden Gillitzer
Lauren Gillitzer
Thomas Hendrickson
Tori Hines
Annalise JohnsonEthan Kipp
Clara KittlesonAutumn Skye Kivi
Kaj Spencer-Berg
Anna-Elizabeth
Spencer-Berg
Phoebe Perkins
Chloe Severson
MUSIC
printable page of music lyrics
Laughter Friends
© 2007 Tom Bourcier
& Laura Gentry
Laughing with Me
& Laura Gentry
Today is a Laughing Day
& Laura Gentry
Laughing for Peace
Laura & William Gentry
Today is a Laughing Day Reprise
& Laura Gentry
graphic designer
Laura Siitari
lighting designer
Tom Berger
production assistant
Taja Will
very special thanks to
Dr. Madan Kataria
Madhuri Kataria
Sebastien Gendry
Jeffrey Briar
Luther College
Theatre/Dance Department
The Laughter Friends
cast & their families
@ 2007-2012 The Gentry Joint
Paintings & design by Laura Gentry. Photography by William F. Gentry ll. All rights reserved.