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










Purchase it now for just $14.95 here at The Laughter Shoppe




Or purchase it here at Amazon.com (qualifies for Super Saver Shipping).




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 










Above are the fabulous cast members of Laughter Friends       





EDITORIAL REVIEWS


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



5.0 out of 5 stars 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


5.0 out of 5 stars Fun At-Home Exercise Routine for Kids & Parents
I 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

5.0 out of 5 stars An Educator's Dream
As 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


5.0 out of 5 stars 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

5.0 out of 5 stars 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

5.0 out of 5 stars 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

5.0 out of 5 stars Laughter Yoga Workout & Songs for Kids are empowering

Laughter 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

5.0 out of 5 stars Laughter for the Young & Young at Heart
Watching 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

5.0 out of 5 stars 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

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Laughing Sparkly Stars of Laughter

So 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

5.0 out of 5 stars 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

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fabulous & Engaging DVD for Kids!
My daughter LOVES this DVD. She was about 2.5 years old when she first saw it. Today, she is 3.5 years old and she still loves it! Normally, she was shy and very reserved when it came to dancing, or doing anything physical (in front of others). But, she seemed to really like this DVD. From the first day that she saw it, she was up and moving and laughing in no time! It was fun to watch her involved with this. I am also quite reserved and shy. Laura's DVD got me up and moving too! I enjoyed her catchy tunes and my daughter did too. I think that my daughter felt safe because there were many children on the DVD. She seemed to be intrigued with this. Also, I know, from my own (limited) studies in neuropsychology, that laughing is healthy for the body! I realized that it was healthy for my toddler if I turned on the DVD and just went through the motions, sang and laughed. Even if she doesn't do it with me, she seems to relax just by watching me. Thanks, Laura, for your fun, healthy and engaging DVD!
—Ember Salveson, Parent

5.0 out of 5 stars Laughing, Singing & Dancing in Australia
I 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


5.0 out of 5 stars 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! 
Ellen Mercer, Laughter Yoga Teacher, Oklahoma


We'd love to hear from YOU!
E-mail your customer reviews to laughterlaura@yahoo.com
or post them at Amazon.com
.

FILM CREDITS


 
produced by
The Gentry Joint



writer/director/choreographer
Laura Gentry

production manager
William F. Gentry II

composer/accompanist/music editor
Tom Bourcier

cinematography
Red Letter Media

editor/camera operator
Mike Stoklasa

camera operator
Jay Bauman


CAST


Laughing Laura
Laura Gentry

Laughter Friends
Leigh Balderrama
Storme Barr
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
© 2007 Tom Bourcier
& Laura Gentry


Today is a Laughing Day 
© 2007 Tom Bourcier
& Laura Gentry


Laughing for Peace
© 2007 Tom Bourcier,
Laura & William Gentry


Today is a Laughing Day Reprise
© 2007 Tom Bourcier
& Laura Gentry


heart paintings
Laura Gentry

laughter hat design
Michele Hirata
www.fatthumboriginals.com

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