Laughter Friends

Product Description With Laura Gentry 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 60 countries. The basic premise of laughter is that anyone can laugh without jokes or even a sense of humor. All one needs is the desire to laugh and let the joyful energy flow. Laughter yoga combines deep yoga breathing, stretching, and relaxation with laughter exercises for maximum health benefits. This program, the first of its kind, contains high-impact laughter yoga workout designed specifically for children, complete with a warm up, deep breathing, original songs, 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 11. Laura Gentry is a certified laughter yoga teacher who has been a pioneer in spreading the laugher movement throughout the Midwest. She is also an author, artist, and ordained minister who started the first laughter club within a church. This color DVD is 36 minutes in length. 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 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, Laura Gentry 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