Welcome to the 
IOWA SCHOOL 
of
LAUGHTER YOGA
(ha ha ha ha ha)


The Iowa School of Laughter Yoga, directed by Laughing Laura, offers Certified Laughter Yoga Leader training seminars and retreats. In this delightful, interactive learning experience, you'll become a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, Affiliated with the Doctor Kataria School of Laughter Yoga. The benefits of becoming a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader are many. Here are a few:

• Personal renewal— most laughter grads consider the seminar to be a life-changing experience that helped them find greater joy and wellness


• Confidence that you are receiving the most accurate and direct transmission of the training, as Director Laura Gentry has been trained and certified by Dr. Kataria himself, the founder of Laughter Yoga

• Ability to register with the worldwide Web site www.laughteryoga.org as a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, and receive referrals and inquiries from all over the world (your basic listing is free)


• Support, friendship, brainstorming and inspiration from your fellow leaders: in your training group, and all over the world

• Membership at an on-line forum for graduates of the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga

• Supervised practice, with your training group and (optionally) at the Lansing Laughter Club

• A copy of Aha! Ha! Ha! Laughing Laura's Guide To Laughter Yoga, an original, comprehensive training manual written by Laura Gentry, containing many unique laughter exercises, suggested solo laughter practice, the spirituality of Laughter Yoga, ideas for how to live a laughing life, and other valuable materials on how to launch your laughter-based career activities

• A copy of Laughing Laura's one-of-a-kind CD for commuters, "Laugh Your Way There" which helps make daily laughter easy

• A "Live a Laughing Life" Poster, an original work of art by Laughing Laura featuring many fabulous and inspirational ideas for living in the joyful spirit of laughter

• Listing of your contact information and Web site at this, the primary resource site for Laughter Yoga in Iowa

• A beautiful diploma, like the one pictured above, that shows lifetime certification as a Laughter Yoga Leader from "The Dr. Kataria School of Laughter Yoga"

• The opportunity to take future Laughter Yoga Leader seminars through the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga as a refresher course at HALF PRICE—this can help you learn new laughter techniques and stay enthusiastic about laughter and joy


O HAPPY NEWS!

YOU can become a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader at this upcoming retreat:
January 9-11 — Ferryville, Wisconsin



This winter retreat will enable participants to become certified as a Laughter Yoga Leader while enjoying a restful time in the woods. There will be an emphasis upon intentional group-building in a pristine wilderness environment in southwest Wisconsin. Sugar Creek Bible Camp is nestled in a valley of rural Ferryville.

We'll be staying in the Log Cabin Village, the camp's newest retreat facility. It consists of four log cabins, complete with bathroom and shower facilities in each cabin. They sleep seven people and have a loft and a living room area with a cozy, thermostat-controlled gas stove.

An octagonal meeting cabin is centered between the sleeping cabins where we'll convene for our group sessions around the fireplace.

Not only will we learn Laughter Yoga techniques and giggle throughout the weekend, but we'll luxuriate in the sauna, sing and dance around the campfire (which is located in a straw bale hut to keep us warm and dry even in the winter), experience the sacred labyrinth (laughter style), play in the snow, intertube down the hills and celebrate with a ridiculously silly costume party. Notice the picture of the retreat costume party from last February.

Fair trade coffee and healthy snacks will be available throughout the weekend. Saturday a brunch and an evening meal will be served and Sunday there will be another brunch. Vegetarian entrees will be offered at each meal. Please inform us of any food allergies or special dietary needs.

The retreat begins with registration at 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening and concludes at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday to give you ample time for travel.

Please note that though this retreat is being held at a Bible camp, Laughter Yoga is entirely non-religious, non-political, and non-competitive. Laughter is a universal language that transcends all barriers: language, age, gender, religion, social or racial background. Ha ha ha!

The cost is $275 per person, which includes lodging, meals, use of camp sauna and intertubes in addition to the Laughter Yoga Seminar. Beat those winter blues and sign up today!  Bring a friend and you both save $25.  Discount will be given at the time the final balance is paid.

Because this retreat allows you to immerse yourself in laughter for the whole weekend, it comes highly recommended.


What a weekend! I'm overwhelmed with “Very Good, Very Good, Yay!” Laughter Yoga Leadership training has enabled an incredible endeavor for me and my local community. That being: finding my joy and sharing joy with others. A bonus I anticipate from this laughing journey is to share peace with my sisters and brothers across the globe. I love the concept of thinking globally and laughing locally!
— Lori Hoover

I highly recommend Laura's Laughter Yoga retreat! As an alternative health care practitioner, I recognize the transformative and healing power of laughter and I was greatly impressed with the diversity of techniques that were utilized during this course. Laura Gentry is a dynamic instructor who leads and assists her students with great enthusiasm. This course is an absolute MUST for anyone seeking to experience the life-affirming joy of laughter!
—Rhonda Locklair


I can't imagine a better facilitator for Laughter Yoga than Laura Gentry. Laura's natural style helped our group bond very quickly and her leadership guided us in experiencing Laughter Yoga in the fullest way possible. She made it so easy to open up and trust the process. I had one of the best times of my life at her LY retreat training! Plus, I learned invaluable skills for leading others in Laughter Yoga.
—Donna Bauernfeind

It was a great experience! I'd like to recommend Laura Gentry. She was a great teacher. She was was well organized, efficient and so enthusiastic! It gave me joy just to watch her.
—Sandy Pollard

My husband and I took Laura's Laughter Yoga Leader course and it was one of the most fantastic weekends ever. We just love Laughter Yoga and our brilliantly inspiring and beautiful coach, mentor, and teacher.
—Sue Kiefer

Being a massage therapist, this is by far one of the best classes I have ever taken. I can already feel the benefits of laughing for no reason at all and I plan to integrate Laughter Yoga into my massage practice. Laura has a passion for Laughter Yoga and it shows in her teaching.
—Mark Fulcher

I initially felt awful from all the laughing at the laughter seminar because it was releasing negative emotions I didn’t even know I was carrying. What happened to me was an emotional catharsis. And while it was terribly painful at first, it was ultimately a gift. Now I have more energy and a more positive outlook than ever before in my life. People actually comment on it! I still have more healing work to do to give joy a permanent home in my heart so I intend to keep laughing!
—Jean Zawacki



NOW...ARE YOU READY TO TAKE THE LAUGHTER LEAP?


Fabulous! It's so simple to register for a Laughter Yoga Leader
Seminar. You'll be glad you did. To hold your place in the class, please fill out the registration form below and mail in your non-refundable deposit of $50 to Laura Gentry, PO Box 11, Marquette, IA 52158 or click below to pay electronically by Paypal. Please note: though the deposit is non-refundable, it IS transferable and can be used for a different seminar if something comes up, which makes you unable to attend the seminar for which you registered.




LAUGHTER YOGA LEADER REGISTRATION FORM

Your registration will be complete upon receipt of payment. You will be contacted by e-mail. Thanks!


First Name:
Last Name:
Address Street 1:
Address Street 2:
City:
Zip Code: (5 digits)
State:
Daytime Phone:
Evening Phone:
Email:
Dietary Needs:
Date of Seminar:



WOULD YOU LIKE A LAUGHTER SEMINAR IN YOUR AREA?

It is possible! Laughing Laura is willing to travel if you are able to organize one. These responsibilities include locating and reserving a meeting place or retreat center and promoting the event. A minimum registration of 10 people is required. Please give Laura a call if you wish to discuss possibilities: 563-880-2699.




Imagine how fun it will be to start your own laughter club!


FIND A LAUGHTER LEADER, FIND A LAUGHTER CLUB

Looking for a Laughter Club? Here are the Midwest Laughter Clubs that we currently know about.  If you want to report yours, be sure to e-mail the laughing webmaster.

Cedar Valley Laughter Club
Meeting site is variable so contact Bea Koontz. The Cedar Valley Laughter Club is free and open to the public. All are welcome! Bring your sense of humor and join us for some laughter and yoga breathing exercises.

Decorah Laughter Club
Meets on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at the Decorah Senior Center, 806 River Street. The public is welcome. Freewill donations accepted.  For additional information, go to www.iowalaughter.com.

Lansing Laughter Club
Meets on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 480 Diagonal Street. Meeting time is one half hour.  For additional information, go to the Lansing Laughter Club page.

Platteville Laughter Club
Meets on Tuesdays evenings at Platteville United Methodist Church, 1065 Lancaster Street, Platteville, Wisconsing at 6:00 p.m.  For additional information, contact Jean Zawacki. This club has recently been featured on television! Click here to visit the station and view video of the story.



Looking for Yoga Leader for your next event? Thanks to the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga, there are many qualified leaders. Find one near you with the complete listing by state below.

CALIFORNIA

Suzanne Henderson
1660 W. 25th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007-1528
henderdb@aol.com

Sarah Northrip
12525 Vose Street
North Hollywood, CA 91605
sspgh@aol.com

Sue Siebels
5609 Canyonside Drive
La Crescenta, CA 91214
818-249-9961
ssiebels@hotmail.com

COLORADO

Bret Parrish 
6231 Fourmile Canyon Drive
Bolder, CO 80302
252-342-1750
bret_parrish@yahoo.com

ILLINOIS

Tom Nylund
1015 Partner Lane
Normal, IL61761
309-452-4703
tom.nylund@verizon.net

Linda Nylund
1015 Partner Lane
Normal, IL61761
309-452-4703
tom.nylund@verizon.net

IOWA

Teddy Bruns
708 Chestnut
LaPorte City, IA 50651
(319) 268-0401
arbonneteddy@yahoo.com

Jennifer Christiason
1822 Grand Blvd.
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
319-268-1194
jchris@cfu.net

Arlene Dougherty
903 Pine Ridge Ct.
Decorah, IA 52101
563-382-2436

Marcia Elhart
219 40th Str. Dr. SE #103
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403-1085
319-366-4932

Rev. Paul Finger
21067 Prairie Hill Rd.
Monticello, IA 52310
319-465-3878
pfinjvet@earthlink.net

Cheryl Giles
260 Baltimore Street
Waterloo, IA 50701
cherkg@yahoo.com

Ejay Green
801 Stone Street
Clermont, IA 52135
563-423-5112
ejay@acegroup.cc

Eliz Guyer
316 Euclid Ave
Waterloo, IA 50701
319-234-8964
guyer@q.com

Cindy Hansmeier
309 North St.
Decorah, IA 52101
563-382-9244
aldercin@luther.edu

Sarah Hanuske
312 Reber Ave.
Waterloo, IA  50701
319-232-9959
hanuske@yahoo.com

Adel Kessler
2306 Orchard Drive
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
phone: 319-277-3107
kesslers@cfu.net

Crystal King
2307 Washington St
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
319-240-7393
simplyblissed@gmail.com
centreforconsciousliving.com

Bea Koontz
811 Oak Park Blvd.
Cedar Falls, IA  50613
319-266-6582
rbeak@cfu.net

Dianne Larsen
1118 Rainbow Dr.
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
319-859-3534
dianne.larsen@lsiowa.org

Alma Long
1935 Mt. Vernon Road SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
319-366-3160

Maxxximum Madcap
307 Pershing
Decorah, IA 52101
563-382-6349
marmax@thewebunwired.com
www.thewebunwired.com

Teresa Martin
906 2nd Ave NW
Waukon, IA 52172
563-568-3523
laughingmamma1@yahoo.com

Melissa Murphy
135 34th St. Drive SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
319-202-1103
missmurphy55@msn.com

Sandra Pollard
6018 Gregory Lane
Des Moines, IA 50312
515-867-7383
spollard26@msn.com

Kesley Pommrehn
10086 HH Ave
Alden, IA 50006
319-290-8675
kesleypomm@yahoo.com

Rev. Robin Ramos
PO Box 294
Shell Rock, IA 50670
319-885-6494
pastorrobin@redeemerwaverly.org

Patricia Reeves
Des Moines, IA
preeves@prodigy.net

Ann Reynolds
111 N Pleasant
Sumner, IA 50674
563-578-5443
areynolds@iowatelecom.net

Sandra Scaia
1350 Elmhurst Dr. NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
319-366-4228
skscaia@rockwellcollins.com

Gayle Schreck
7808 Maple Dr.
Urbandale, IA 50322
515-276-8438
gschreck4@yahoo.com

Margaret Shay
3603 Hillside Drive
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
319-266-1357

Jessica Sloan
27875 Kayak Rd.
McGregor, IA 52157
563-873-2425
sloanj09@hotmail.com

Rev. Tim Smith
3220 Iowa Ave. SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
319-364-5254
tim.smith@ecunet.org

Marie Stigliani
922 W 9th Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
319-830-7454

Judith Strotman
32461 - 280 ST
Shell Rock, IA 50670
319-885-4682
judiths@netins.net

Melissa Summers
1600 Williston Ave.
Waterloo, IA 50702
319-215-6333
melissamsummers@mchsi.com

Mary Beth Thesing
713 Heivly St. Apt #5
Decorah, IA 52151
563-517-0333
mbthesing@yahoo.com

Melanie Wittman
P.O. Box 425
Lansing, IA 52151
563-538-9350
zoemelanie@yahoo.com


MICHIGAN

Mark Fulcher
297 Harrison st
Lapeer, MI, 48446
810-724-0996
810-664-5394
humnat88@yahoo.com


MINNESOTA

Teresa Abrahamson
1528 Old Hickory Drive
LaCrescent, MN 55947
507-895-8760
tlabraha@hotmail.com

Teresa Gonyer
ELCA Board of Pension
800 Marquette Ave, Ste 1050
Minneapolis, MN 55402
612-752-4426
tgonyer@elcabop.org

Ann Marie Gullickson
4551 Collegeview Road E
Rochester, MN 55904
507-282-2308
annmariegullickson@yahoo.com
 
Kathy Shea
ELCA Board of Pension
800 Marquette Ave, Ste 1050
Minneapolis, MN 55402
612-752-4244
kshea@elcabop.org

Colleen Silver
11891 Avocet Circle NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55448
763-862-5900
silver@usfamily.net

Joanne Singsaas
36 West Imperial Dr
West St. Paul, MN 55118
651-306-4976
singsaas@usfamily.net

NEW YORK

Ed Bernstein
25 Park Circle
Great Neck, NY 11024
ed@humanizer.com
www.temnoon.com

Lisa Levine-Bernstein
25 Park Circle
Great Neck, NY 11024
nutritiontransition@juno.com

NORTH CAROLINA

Rhonda Locklair
223 John Ave
Greenville, NC 27858-4113
252-412-2271
storms_chaos@yahoo.com

TEXAS

Keith Soderholm
4207 Live Oak Street #2100
Dallas, TX 75204
keith.soderholm@cartus.com


WISCONSIN

Donna Bauernfeind
26219  Minaret Ave.
Wilton WI  54670
608-487-5562
laugh_yoga@yahoo.com
www.smileonastick.com

Judy Conant
10784 Formica Road
Tomah, WI 54660
608-372-6185
jaconant@centurytel.net

Dr. James Davis
University of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI
jjamesdavis@hotmail.com

Karyl Fritsche
117 Sheridon Rd.
Eastman, WI 54626
608-874-9399
karylfritsche@yahoo.com

Lori Hoover
116 W Third St
Kimberly, WI 54136
920-209-9368
gypsywinds@gmail.com

Barbara Lynch
P.O. Box 44
Genoa. WI 54632
608-689-2624
raeme@mwt.net

Jim Kiefer
4151 Don Circle
New Franken, WI 54229
920-845-2315 x 201
kiefj@yahoo.com

Susan Kiefer
4151 Don Circle
New Franken, WI 54229
920-866-2540
sskiefer@hotmail.com

Anna Moody
61974 Vineyard Road
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
608-326-8234
highway1@centurytel.net

Sarah Olson
1710 University Ave
Madison, WI 53726
608-890-0337
soride@gmail.com

Connie Sharlow
S1761 Lewis Valley Rd.
Arcadia, WI 54612
608-323-7297
conschar@triwest.net

Lori Valley
P.O. Box 56
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
608-306-1363
lori@lorivalley.com
www.lorivalley.com

Jean Zawacki
510 May Street
Platteville, WI 53818
608-732-6240
wackichk@yahoo.com



Click on the logo below to check out the Laughter Yoga Iowa Yahoo! Health Group where leaders can keep in touch and exchange ideas.