Dr. Annelie Gareis, Ecuador: When I was a small child I had a dream which I never will forget. I dreamed that I stood hand in hand with my mother in an amazing blue cave, which was sparkling all over. Off in the distance I saw a woman who smiled at me very cheerfully. I heard such beautiful music that I had to let go of the hand of my mother so I could spin round and round. I danced and started fl...

Erika Ruiz, USA: A recreational specialist for seniors at an adult day care center in Miami, Florida, my job entails planning and implementing activities for senior citizens—those with and without memory impairment. Always looking for meaningful activities, especially ones beneficial for Alzheimer’s patients, I discovered Laughter Yoga which is a wonderful tool for those whose aging pr...

Peter Schupp, Australia: I was introduced to Laughter Yoga in a park by the Indian Ocean in Fremantle Western Australia by Laughter Yogini Kate Lee. I was not hooked straight away but it was only later when my partner organized a Laughter Yoga facilitator training course, I slowly realized the depth of benefits of Laughter Yoga and how many people could use this for their wellbeing, including my o...

Melina, Iran: I am so proud and happy to be the youngest Laughter Yoga coach in the world!!! Just 13, I am glad I could take part in Laughter Yoga classes because it is the best exercise for everyone, as it teaches how to face difficulties with a smile on our face. I had a very good experience from the laughter training classes and learnt many useful laughing techniques which I can use at any time...

Mandy Riches, UK: I had just been diagnosed with cancer for the third time (Hodgkin’s lymphoma twice in the 1990s and breast cancer in 2011) but little did I know that later that evening, I would be sitting on the sofa giggling away with my parents and partner. All thanks to a laughtercise DVD given by my friend Stephanie, a laughter practitioner. I started with some of the exercises, and it...

Lisa Pettersen, USA: I’m an alcoholic and an addict. I don’t know how many thousands of times I must have said that at different AA/NA meetings, over the years. Getting and staying sober was not an easy thing for me. I started trying to get sober in 1989, going to my first Rehab at that time. For the next 16 years, I went in & out of different treatment centers and was able to put ...

Michelle Major, Ireland: Ireland’s Michelle A. Major is a leading expert in laughter and creative play therapy & happiness habits. She is passionate about sharing and spreading joy, laughter and happiness throughout Ireland and emphasizes that Laughter Yoga can have remarkable power and really can be the best medicine for illness and stress management. In fact, laughing for just 15 minut...

Sheena Tan, Malaysia: As a little girl I could not participate in sports and games in school as I suffered from breathing difficulties and had to use the inhaler often. Even when I was doing housework, I’d get asthma attacks because of the dust and after walking up and down the stairs. Fortunately, I started on Laughter Yoga two years back when my sister recommended it to as an exercise rout...

Michi Morioka, Japan: Among the 5 new leaders I certified recently, one happened to be my mother which really meant a lot to me. Growing up, I didn’t have the best relationship with her, and that’s a part of the reason I’ve felt such a strong desire to share Laughter Yoga with my family.While laughing, sharing ideas, playing like kids and singing with each other during the traini...

Mayra L. Avila, USA: I first heard about Laughter Yoga when I was working for a community clinic. I was preparing for a wellness group especially for women and I decided to include a laughter session to see what it was. After seeing the session in action, I thought it was a neat and unique exercise but after hearing the participants’ comments about how much they had enjoyed the session, I de...

Jackie Curran, NSW-Australia: Like many lawyers I became slowly restless about my work. It was a niggling feeling that something within my work- life was not quite right. With my growing impatience I decided to learn new skills and spent the next five years working as a telephone counselor, Referral officer and later a trainer for Lifeline. But, once again my restlessness got the better of me and ...

Maurine Pachter, South Africa: I heard about Laughter Yoga in a Yoga Class. My yoga instructor got me involved and, on my very first session I felt I could conquer the world! Ever since, I do not take life seriously. I have become more compassionate, and am surprised to see how it has changed my thinking, and my interaction with people. Laughter is pure happiness, where one can laugh and actually ...