Laughter Yoga ShowToronto

October 29 / 2011Souvenir Brochure

The one day event - Laughter Yoga Show - was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, for greater awareness of Laughter Yoga in Ontario at the public level, to provide an opportunity for learning the ways in which Laughter Yoga is being adapted to suit different groups and to stimulate further development in community. This brochure is a memento for those who participated and also for children everywhere. Thank you to all who came and enjoyed the day. Duncan Cook

Poster.

Laughter Yoga ShowToronto - Metro Convent ion Centre - October 29

Feature Presentations Laughter Yoga with Children

Introduction to Laughter Yoga Laughter Yoga with Seniors

Incorporating Laughter Yoga in a Workplace Wellness ProgramSpecial Needs and Laughter Yoga

Laughter Yoga in Business for Entrepreneurs

Special Performance by

Anandawith guest Lynn Himmelmann

Move your heart with Laughter Meet with members of Laughter Yoga International

- a global movement towards health, joy and peace -

For Show times and Registration details please visitwww.LaughterOntario.ca

LaughterOntario.ca

Plus much more...

07:00-08:15 Early Bird Laughter Meditation

09:15-09:50 Opening Introduction with Laughter Yoga Session

10:00-11:00 Childrens’ Hour - Laughter Yoga with Children 11:15-12:00 Introduction to Laughter Yoga 12:15-12:45 International Laughter Session

13:00-13:50 Laughter Yoga with Seniors 14:00-14:40 Laughter Dance and Drum Circle with Laughter Choir

14:45-15:20 Incorporating Laughter Yoga in a Workplace Wellness . Program 15:20-15:45 Special Needs Groups

15:50-16:50 Laughter Yoga in Business for Entrepreneurs 17:00-17:45 Laughter and Meditation

18:00-19:00 Laughter Awards - Recognition and Appreciation Report on Laughter Yoga International Report on Laughter Yoga in Ontario

19:00-19:25 Meet Each Other - Connect, Network 19:30-21:00 Music, Dance and Celebration with Ananda 21:00-21:15 Finish

Although not all things went according to the plan, there was, at least, a plan.

Here is the plan ..

Program.

All of the presenters did a terrific job and provided many of the highlights of the day. Greatly appreciated ... Ana was the perfect host.

Host - Ana Nair

Ana Nair  became a Laughter Yoga Leader in 2005 and started

Richmond Hill Walk-in Laughter Club in 2006.  

'We have witnessed that laughter yoga  awakened  peoples inner mind and experienced Nirvana (peace of mind).    Laughtercise is

the best form of cardiovascular exercise that invokes  the senses and align the chakras without  in-depth yogic knowledge.

Thus Laughter is an instant remedy for a happy mind, body and

soul.  Together we say the - ho ho ha ha ha - mantra to promote world peace and that is what we need the most in this millennium'.

website Richmond Hill Laughter Club

Early-bird Laughter Meditation - Salimah Kassim-Lakha

Salimah Kassim-Lakha  is a Yoga Ambassador with Lululemon,

founder of Yogapalooza, and Director of Yoga without Borders. Join Salimah for a powerful journey of Kundalini and Laughter

Yoga online and around the world.  Yoga is love, service and community. Salimah lives by the sound vibration - Go Big and Go

OM. 

Laughter Yoga with Salimah www.yogavision/laughteryoga

For Yoga Life and Style resources, visit Salimah at YogaVision.com

Chantal Rouleau, born in Montreal, owner of Laughter Yoga of

Niagara has always believed that having a positive attitude is the most important and essential tool to possess in life, along

with a great dose of humour.Chantal has discovered her true passion on the path of well

being, she is a certified Laughter Yoga leader as well as an E.F.T. facilitator. She will continue to learn so that she can

enhance the quality of life of others thru natural healing methods and different stress management modalities.

website LaughterYogaOfNiagara.com 

Helen Bauer became a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader in August 2009 in

order to add to her Life Mission of raising the Happiness Quotient on the planet. Her 15 years as an Early Childhood Music & Movement Educator,

easily overlaps with Laughter Yoga teaching, as one of the many components of Laughter Yoga is the invitation to reconnect with that

beautiful child-like spirit and wonder that is within each of us. Helens intention is to continue to invite people to recreate joyfulness in daily

life through Mind, Body and Soul thereby contributing to Dr. Madan Kataria's vision of World Peace through Laughter Yoga.

Helen is available to bring Laughter Yoga to corporations, businesses, schools, home parties, or any gathering of people who want a different kind of fun.website www.familiesmakinmusic.com

Childrens' Hour - Chantal Rouleau, Helen Bauer, Amanda Barker

Amanda Barker  is a comedian and improviser and has

performed around the world in theatres, television, and film. She has worked with   Second City,   Chicago Comedy

Company, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines and the CBC. Amanda has certification in Hatha and Vinyasa yoga and

is a certified Can-Fit-Pro Fitness Professional. In 2009, Amanda completed her training with Moksha Yoga, discovered

Dr. Kataria's School of Laughter Yoga  and became a registered Laughter Yoga Leader. She is a registered teacher

through the International Yoga Alliance and is a member of the Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor. In addition

Amanda is a certified Yin and Pre and Post Natal yoga teacher and has her YogaBuds certification to teach to kids! 

Amanda currently teaches Laughter Yoga infused with improvisation and traditional Hatha Yoga to young and old

across Ontario. She is teamed up with various Moksha Yoga Studios, Do Your Thing Productions, Supporting Roles, The High Park Family Fun Place, Teddy Bear Academy and Folklore Music and Arts.

website www.laughingwild.ca

Everett Baker 'On a vacation some three years ago we met a woman

who leveled the hips of my wife Trudy. I was an instant believer and have been active in pursuing alternative healing practices ever since.

I have practitioner qualification in Quantum Touch. Trudy and I daily practice one or another modality of alternative health exercises; i.e.

Qi-Gong, self massage and a series of Tai-Chi movements. On a weekly basis we participate in a Quantum Touch healing circle at our

home which is also the home base of The Oak and River Retreat. We walk and swim regularly and eat healthy.

When I was introduced to Laughter Yoga by Kathryn Kimmins at our

Summer Solstice week-end celebration, I took an immediate liking to the format. It suits the humorous side of my personality.

Certification as Laughter Leader took place shortly thereafter'.   

website www.TheOakandRiverRetreatLaughterYoga.ca

Introduction to Laughter Yoga - Everett Baker and Kathryn Kimmins

Kathryn Kimmins, a Holistic Practitioner since 2002, delivers through

spiritual guidance; ‘Hands on Healing’ encompassing Reiki and CranioSacral Therapy. It seemed natural that the next major therapy to

add to her skill set would be Laughter Yoga. Following her accreditation, in 2010, by Madan Kataria M.D., founder of Laughter Yoga, Kathryn

founded and operates the Concession on the Mountain Laughter Yoga Club in Hamilton. 

Kathryn has facilitated presentations, and led and taught Laughter

Yoga at corporate events, colleges and universities, retirement homes, recreation centres, church functions, health and wellness events, Take

Back the Night  at City Hall, retreats and ladies groups. Audience numbers have exceeded 600 participants laughing for no reason. 

When she’s not laughing and promoting Laugh Yourself Healthy around

Ontario and doing Laughter Yoga cruises on the MSC Poesia she’s busy working part-time at SRH Health Foods on Barton St. as a health care

consultant.

website www.laughyourselfhealthy.ca

Carlos Góngora, a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher by Dr.

Kataria School and Certified Life Coach by International Coach Academy, specializes in Human Development, stress

management, teambuilding, leadership, peak performance and communication skills to national and multinational

corporations in Canada and Colombia.

In Laughter Yoga he is doing sessions every week in several community centres, seniors and retired homes

If you want something SERIOUS in your life, LAUGH. It's for

your health. 

website www.risalegria.com

Laughter Yoga with Seniors - Carlos Góngora

Ingrid Exner is a graduate of the University of Waterloo in

professional writing and social work. She has many years experience working in the fields of social services, mental health

and technical writing. As a brain tumour survivor and facilitator of a local support group for survivors, she has a strong interest

in wellness of both mind and body.

This interest in total body wellness, has led her to study Reiki, Therapeutic Touch, Yoga, Mindfulness, Meditation and most

recently, Laughter Yoga.  Ingrid became certified as a Laughter Yoga Leader after taking the certification course with Duncan

Cook. In her own life, and in the lives of clients and friends, she has witnessed the healing power of yoga and laughter and has

found them to be  beneficial in leading a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

 Special Needs and Laughter Yoga - Ingrid Exner

Lynn Himmelmann B.Sc., B. Mus., also known as Lively Laughing Lynn,

has been twice proclaimed champion laugher of Toronto at the Toronto Laughter Games in 2009 and 2010.  

As the owner and CEO of Life Enhancement Essentials she has raised the health & happiness of thousands of 'serious' seekers, - ha ha -

using Laughter in conjunction with other ground-breaking modalities.  Lynn enthusiastically supports the presence of Laughter Yoga

in  Toronto, bringing the Spirit of Laughter to government organizations,hospitals, universities, seniors homes, and private

businesses. She  has been offering weekly Laughter Yoga classes for over 6 years and regularly trains and certifies others to be Laughter

Yoga Leaders.Lynn is working in collaboration with Jim for this presentation, and also 

drawing on her own musical abilities in forming an impromptu laughter choir.

website  www.ForgiveAndlaugh.com

Jim Arnold  is a highly skilled musician and instructor

who will lead a short workshop on drumming and will also be introducing dance movements. Drums will be

available - bring your own if you have one. 

website www.folkloremusic.com

Laughter Dance and Drum Circle with Laughter Choir - Jim Arnold and Lynn Himmelmann

Lillian is a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher and Occupational

Health Nurse, presently working at an Acute Care Health Centre. She trained with Dr. Madan Kataria, the founder of Laughter Yoga,

and continues to be passionate about the benefits of Laughter Yoga.  She provides many energetic, stress-relieving sessions

within the workplace. Regularly bringing the joy of laughter yoga to senior’s homes, their groups with special needs and various

community groups. Lillian facilitated an energetic, fun filled, public session, in Toronto’s busy Yonge/Dundas Square. 

Lillian brings professionalism and the gift of laughter to any session she leads. 

website www.laughteryoga-toronto.com

Incorporating Laughter Yoga into a Workplace Health and Wellness Program

Lillian Saggiorato RN, COHN(C), CLYT and Anna Blake RN, MPH, COHN(C), CRSP

Anna is a health and safety professional, Certified Laughter Yoga

Teacher and has held a variety of positions encompassing all areas of health and safety  including OHS management and

education, occupational health nursing, disability management and industrial hygiene assessments.   She trained with Dr. Madan

Kataria in 2009 in Mexico.  

Anna’s passion is workplace wellness and had the opportunity to develop a wellness program from the ground up for a major

pharmaceutical company. She believes that laughter yoga supports a healthy workplace and can contribute to companies

achieving their goals and supporting employee well-being.

website www.laughteryoga-toronto.com

Laughter Yoga in Business for Entrepreneurs - Dr. Lynn Perreault, Marjorie Moulin and Wendy Woods

Lynn Perreault, Ph.D. - Certified Laughter Yoga Leader & Teacher, and

CEO / Founder of “AY-i-AY!” – a company that provides group laughter sessions, laughter coaching, laughter retreats, corporate seminars and

certification opportunities that help people relieve stress, enjoy better health, boost sense of humour, and build a positive attitude.

Lynn is a trainer and motivational speaker for companies, non-profit

organizations, and support groups. She is also a corporate consultant for wellness programming, stress management, motivation, team-

building, group dynamics, leadership, and interpersonal relations.

email laugh@AYiAY.com    website  www.AYiAY.com Ph: (519) 988-9693

Marjorie Moulin - With over 15 years experience in private and public

sectors of business and in various areas including corporate training, customer service and finance, Marjorie views laughter as an efficient

solution for stress management, increased morale and healthy work environment. Bringing laughter to the business world has naturally

become one of her passions.

Co-creator of the Richmond Hill Laughter Club. She has also conducted many Laughter Yoga sessions for a wide variety of clients - private

functions, public enterprises, corporations, schools, senior homes and hospitals.

In 2010 Marjorie became a Laughter Yoga Teacher, learning directly from Dr. Kataria in Chicago. Marjorie is authorised to train anyone to become a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader.  Marjorie has now newly founded the Markham Laughter Club.

Website www.TheLaughterStudio.com

Wendy Woods, M.B.A. - After working for many years on Bay Street,

Wendy started Watershed Training Solutions in 2003.  While delivering her highly successful Humour In the Workplace workshops, she

discovered Laughter Yoga.  Realizing its value as an employee engagement tool, she became certified with Dr. Kataria in 2005.  Since

that time she has been working with leading corporations helping them energize and motivate their number 1 asset – their people.  Wendy is

also responsible for co-organizing several Toronto World Laughter Days.

Wendy continues to help her clients, such as Ernst and Young, Johnson

and Johnson and TD Bank Financial, be more productive and engaged through Laughter, Emotional Intelligence and Stress Resilience.  Her

expertise has been featured on CTV News, Entertainment Tonight Canada, and USA Today.  

To find out how Wendy can bring expertise and enthusiasm to your organization.       

email wwoods@watershedtraining.ca         Website www.watershedtraining.ca Ph: (416)926-9450

Russell Scott is one of the new generation of non-guru, no dogma

spiritual 'teachers'. He is the former owner of the Ecology Retreat Centre (Orangeville) where he pioneered programs in sustainable living

and received a broad realistic education on countless spiritual paths of the many groups he witnessed and participated in at the centre.

 He has also been leading True Awakening – enlightenment intensives

for the past 25 years, helping people to realize their true nature and purpose in life and let go of the pain and suffering that recycles from

the past into the present so that they can walk in the beauty, honesty and magnificence of their essential nature. His talks are real,

somewhat quirky and compassionately engaging.

Website  www.truesourceseminars.com

Laughter and Meditation - Russell Scott

Certified Laughter Yoga Leader

Language Assessor (Centre for Education and Training)

French Instructor (Sheridan College)

FSL teacher (Dufferin Peel Catholic Board)

A result-driven Facilitator with a solid record of accomplishment and success as an Instructor, Assessor, Leader, Translator and Interpreter. Extensive experience in dealing with the general public and new immigrants and committed to serving the needs of clients. 'A strong believer in magnetic magic of laughter, I have been teaching French for 23 years and my French classes are always commended for being  ‘fun’ and ‘effective’. Last year, I presented at TESL* conference how Laughter Yoga can be used as an ice breaker in ESL classes. The session was well appreciated.'

*TESL - Teaching English as a Second Language.

Meet Each Other, Connect and Network - Pankaj Sachdeva  

After a day filled with laughter, those who were able to see the marathon event through to the end were treated to a meditative chanting practice performed by the musicians who form the kirtan group Ananda ...

Special Performance - Ananda with guest Lynn Himmelmann

‘Ananda’ (meaning, 'the state of bliss'), is a collection of soulful lovers of music who create kirtan,

mantra music and spirit-filled English lyric songs. ‘Ananda’ is comprised of John William Bauld (guitar and lead vocals), Donna Poulidis (harmonium and lead vocals), Bobbiji (tablas and vocals) and Pat

Sandford (kartals and vocals). As a group, ‘Ananda’ has come together with a vision to create and share meaningful, moving & inspiring music that will quiet your mind, lift your soul, and break open

your heart. We use ancient Sanskrit mantras to raise our vibration and transform ourselves from the inside out. This musical vibration encourages connection of Heart and Soul, which in turn, can lead us

to a feeling of greater Harmony and Unity with other beings. ‘Ananda’ formed a year ago, and have been offering workshops, kirtan, and music to accompany yoga classes in the Greater Toronto Area.

We look forward to joining you for an evening of Joyfull Connection in your community.

http://www.ananda-music.com/index.htm

Laughter Yoga Health And Wellness Show In Ontario

Toronto recently played host to the first Laughter Yoga Show in Ontario. Approximately 70 people participated in the show held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. It is a new

initiative to highlight the various aspects of Laughter Yoga and its benefits, and also to provide an opportunity to connect with other members of Laughter Yoga International. For

many, this was their first experience of Laughter Yoga, and the response was enthusiastic.

Several Laughter sessions, including an international session in various languages, were

interspersed with presentations on: Laughter Yoga in Business, with Seniors, with Children, for Special Needs, and a special presentation on incorporating Laughter Yoga into a

Workplace Wellness Program.

Other additional features included a drumming circle, a fun photo booth, an introduction to

partner assisted meditation practice, a hilarious networking game and musical performances etc. Overall, it was a great success with initial feedback being very positive.

In fact, a revised and condensed version is now being formulated for introducing Laughter Yoga to various towns and cities across the province.

A report on the show featured on the main Laughter Yoga International website ...

It’s always good to receive feedback from attendees - here is a short selection from the notes of approval...

‘Had a great time at the show... mind opening experience!’

‘I liked the opportunities we had to physically interact with one another, I also thought Karen** the photographer was

a great idea, she was such a joy, and was really good at getting her subjects let loose the inner child and having that shine through in the pictures. I also really enjoyed the time with Ananda...my previous stereo types about chanting

were blown out of the water, it was a mind opening experience that left me with such a profound feeling of peace and wellbeing.’

‘This is all new to me.  I enjoyed all the fun, which was easy to follow and to

better our health at the same time. Now I know what Laughter Yoga is about.’

‘thanks for arranging the day. Sharing of experiences and

different types of sessions was great, and appreciated meeting other leaders, teachers and overall LY enthusiasts.’

‘I loved the variety of sessions, particularly the

International session in different languages. Good to have public participation, so that a newbie can

get a feel for Laughter Yoga and decide whether they want to further their interest, maybe even to

become certified.’ʻI want to be a laughter leader or teacher someday.ʼ

** Photography - Karen BrodieKaren - a gifted photographer and friend, graciously accepted an invitation to set up a photo shoot. The idea was to have Karen on hand as event photographer, and for those interested in high quality portraits to add to their professional portfolio to be negotiated with Karen. In the excitement of the day, the photo booth proved to be a favourite for many.

Some samples of Karens work may be found on Facebook.http://Facebook/kbrodiephotography

Special thanks with love and affection to Alan Cook, who supported the initial funding of this event.

Not much more to be said ...Hope to see everyone again, in the fall of 2012 for another day of friendship, merriment and laughter !!

-Kyoto Agreement-

Duncan Cook - Laughter Leader and Leader Teacher

Introduction to Laughter Yoga came in 2003 through Dr. Dave MacQuarrie, as part of his work with groups in his practice as Gestalt therapist.

Training with Dr. Madan Kataria took place in Toronto in May of 2005.

As a member of Laughter Yoga International, my interest is in developing and promoting health in community, and to facilitate actions that allow others to learn about and practice the simple processes that are the basis of Laughter Yoga. This work includes leading certification courses, and supporting those who wish to set-up ‘laughter clubs’. If you wish to be part of a growing network of laughter practitioners, who are making changes in their own lives, contact me or any other Laughter Yoga practitioner for information.info: http://laughteryoga.org/duncan-cook Ph: (519) 836-6894