9:30am Main Stage - Great Hall

Conference Begins - Hosted by Erin Hancock Laughter Yoga Leader (Ottawa)

Erin Hancock trained as a Laughter Yoga Leader in February of 2010. Since completing the training, she has worked bringing laughter to people through private coaching, running events for corporations and teams and doing social events. Prior to becoming a Laughter Yoga Leader, she has been an active group development consultant and facilitator who has worked with over 100 groups (from youth to seniors, students to professionals, small teams to large auditoriums, local community events to international conferences). Erinʼs background in community development and research has provided a unique lens on the practice of laughter yoga; understanding the physiological and psychological benefits of laughter while understanding the social dynamic of sharing laughter in a group.

She holds a Masterʼs degree in Interdisciplinary Policy Studies and a Bachelorʼs Degree in Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies with a minor in Psychology. She has also studied as a coach at the Centre for Applied Neuroscience in Toronto. website:www.howtolaugh.org

Canada Laughter Yoga

Conference

Presenter Profiles

9:45am Main Stage - Great Hall

Laughter Yoga Session with Luisa Sorrentino, Helen Bauer, Naum Shkolnik and Gary Johnston

Helen Bauer - Laughter Yoga Teacher (Toronto)

Helen Bauer`s Life Mission is to raise the Happiness Quotient on the planet through people coming together in laughter, music and with a child-like, playful, spirit. It was no accident that she was led to her initial training as a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, and the work of Dr. Madan & Mrs. Madhuri Kataria, whose mission is Peace through Laughter Yoga.

Ms. Bauer is a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher and Leader, a vocalist, and an Early Childhood Music & Movement Educator. Both her extensive years of Vocal training, and her now 17 years experience as an Early Childhood Music and Movement Educator combine to bring magic, fun & expertise to her Laughter Yoga Classes and presentations. The ability to reconnect with that beautiful child-like spirit is truly a gift that is accessible to all of us

website: http:// www.familiesmakinmusic.com

Luisa Sorrentino - Laughter Yoga Leader (Belleville, Ontario)

Naum Shkolnik - Laughter Yoga Leader (Toronto)

Naum Shkolnik in his own words - I am from Ukraine. My first language is Russian. I've been participating in Laughter Yoga since 2005. Together with my friends I've run 2 Laughter Yoga clubs in Toronto and Richmond Hill. I love Dancing, Cartoons, Photography and Cell Phones. My daytime fun job is behind the wheel of 18 wheel tractor trailer. I am married and live near High Park

Laughter Kirtan - Helen Bauer-Laughter Yoga Teacher (Toronto)Laughter Kirtan is a new technique, modelling Traditional Kirtan Singing, which was demonstrated for the first time at our Laughter Yoga Teacher Training with Master Laughter Yoga Trainer Jeffrey Briar, in Laguna Beach, California, December 15, 2012. Laughter Kirtan combines rhythmic and sometimes melodic laughter sounds from Laughter Yoga, with the traditional Kirtan method of Call-and-Response, or Call-and-Echo.In traditional Kirtan, instead of laughter sounds, a leader or Wallah sings a line, (often words in the form of a sacred phrase or chant, in the Sanskrit language of ancient India, which is usually accompanied by a harmonium and other various Indian and/or Western instruments.eg. tablas, guitar, tambourines), and then, the rest of the group repeats that same line. Special Benefits of Laughter Kirtan:

• Laughter is a universal language; there are no words so no cause for critical objection• Easy to do; no need for memorization, melodic, or language skills• Encourages relaxation of the Critical Mind and focuses on Present-Centered Awareness

(Being “In The Now”)• Supports Group Dynamic: Friendship, Community, Like-Mindedness (Being of “One

Mind”)• Laughter is contagious, playful, fun• Everyone can participate; not associated with any religion or belief system (Everybody

loves to laugh)• Provides the health benefits of laughter: Relief of stress, strengthened immune system,

improved breathing and cardiovascular health, etc.Check out Laughter Kirtan on the beach :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWXpVcS3JmQ

Gary Johnston - Laughter Yoga Teacher (Toronto)

Dr. Madan Kataria trained Gary Johnston as a Laughter Yoga Leader in April, 2005, and then as a Laughter Yoga Teacher in May, 2006. Gary loves laughing with, or without a reason. He works as the Senior Imaginary Number at Einstein Equations Incorporated.

Check out Garyʼs Fictional Character Page on Facebook www.facebook.com/seniorimaginarynumber

Gary can be reached at funnybonetechnician@gmail.com.

12:00pm Main Stage - Great Hall

Laughing into the Present Moment Wendy Woods - Laughter Yoga Leader (Toronto)

Are you constantly dealing with stress and overload? Do you find it hard to concentrate and be productive?

Mindfulness has been scientifically proven to help you shift back into concentration and productivity. It is recognised by CEOs and companies like Aetna, Google and General Mills as a valuable workplace tool.

The good news is that laughter yoga does the same thing – only it’s more fun. Laughter Yoga brings you into the present moment and facilitates mindfulness. Join us for this interactive session to find out how laughter can bring you into the present moment.

Wendy Woods is passionate about workplace resilience. Her many years in financial services taught her about the challenges of working in a high paced, high stressed, complex environment.  By focusing on Emotional Intelligence, Mindfulness and Laughter Yoga she brings passion, fulfillment and purpose into the workplace.Wendy brings over a decade of corporate training, coaching and consulting experience in Productivity, Leadership and Work-life balance.  She provides engaging workshops, interactive webinars and one-on-one coaching throughout North America. She has received international recognition from a wide range of clients including Ernst & Young, Johnson & Johnson, and TD Bank Financial Group.

She serves her clients by drawing on her diverse education and expertise which includes: Honours B.A. in Psychology, an M.B.A., a Certificate in Adult Education, a Certificate in Applied Mindfulness Meditation, a license in Emotional Intelligence (MHS) and Emotional Power, Certificates in Synchronous Design and Facilitation, Certificate in Transformative Mindfulness (in progress) and a Certificate as a Psych-K facilitator. Wendy was certified as a Laughter Yoga leader by Dr. Kataria in 2005.Many audiences have found value in Wendyʼs expertise. She has been featured on popular media such as CTV News, CBC Radio, Breakfast Television, Rogers Daytime, Classical 96.3, Entertainment Tonight Canada, Canadian Business Online, USA Today, The Huffington Post and Rotman School of Management magazine.She has authored several articles including Meditating at Work: A New Approach to Managing Overload and Mindfulness @Work: Reduce Stress, Increase Focus & Improve  Results.  She is also the co-author of the book 365 Days of Gratitude.Wendy Woods is the Founder and Principal of Watershed Training Solutions (WTS). WTS is a dynamic company empowering teams and leaders to create greater success, wellbeing and engagement at work.   For more information, contact Wendy at wwoods@watershedtraining.ca or visit her website at www.watershedtraining.ca  

12:00pm Lower Level - Classroom 1

The 12-Point Game Plan for Heartfelt Laughter Yoga Professionals Who Crave Ultimate Business Success Lynn Perreault - Laughter Yoga Teacher (Windsor)

This 60 minute workshop will detail the 12 critical elements that must exist in a laughter yoga offering to magnetize the highest-paying clients that are the best fit for you.#Many Laughter Yoga practitioners struggle with getting clients to their events, or even with getting paid for their work outside of Laughter Clubs. In this workshop, you will learn:

How to avoid the most common Laughter Yoga “business-killing” mistakes. How to build rapport with clients they want to work with you in the long-term. How to go beyond the words “Laughter Yoga” to boost sales without a sales pitch. How to build value in your offer so that clients find it irresistible and just have to say YES! How to use income explosion tactics that allow sales at the 6-figure level and beyond. #How to leverage your passion for Laughter Yoga to shatter past your existing Laughter Yoga income.

This session will be interactive, allowing for Q & A, on-the-spot business coaching, and the sharing of high integrity wealth- building secrets. Worksheets will be provided as take-away homework so you can start using everything right away in

Lynn Perreault, Ph.D., founded AY-i-AY in 2010 in the midst of some tragic and life-altering personal events as a means of staying focused on the good side of life.  Lynn holds a doctorate in Applied Social Psychology, including Tribes TLC® and Laughter Yoga Leader/Teacher certifications.  Prior to the inception of AY-i-AY, she spent 20 years in the health and organization development sectors.  Lynn specializes in positive psychology, anti-burnout tactics, group energy boosts, and sustainable income explosions among people-helping professionals who want to laugh more for the sake of their own work life wealth, health and happiness.

( 519.988.9693Ê 855.655.9776 (fax): laugh@AYiAY.com8 www.AYiAY.com

12:00pm Lower Level - Classroom 2

From Sad ….To Glad - Laughter Yoga is Good Psychiatric Medicine. Tanaz Bamboat - Laughter Yoga Teacher and Ambassador (Indiana, USA)

You donʼt have to live with depression all your life.I will be sharing my story about my winning the battle with bipolar depression .Laughter yoga has given me a purpose and a mission to help people with depression and also to make people aware of itʼs physical, psychological, emotional and social benefits. ( I am too blessed to be depressed.)!!!!!!!!!!

Tanaz Bamboat is a certified Teacher for Laughter Yoga, a new concept in body-mind medicine. She was trained by her teachers Dr. Madan and Madhuri Kataria from India in 2004 and was awarded the Ambassador award in 2006, and 2008. In 2009, she was awarded the Ambassador award from the American School of laughter. She is a dynamic and inspirational speaker and has given seminars at hospitals, senior communities, health clubs, banks, peace centers, schools, libraries and parks. She was a Guest speaker at B P A m o c o , C l a r i o n H e a l t h , S o c i e t y o f W o m e n Engineers,Women’s Wellness Expo. and Heart Health Symposium(Community Hospital), Purdue University, Indiana university, First Financial Bank, SHARE foundation, LUPUS foundation, Cancer Support groups, Bipolar depression support groups and many more…

Tanaz was featured on WGNTV (Chicago Channel 9), WYIN Lakeshore Public Television. WCIU in Chicago, ECTV Times website nwi.com, the Post Tribune and Times, Get Healthy magazine, Shore, Esperenza and Inside Munster magazine, Current Psychiatry, 89.1FM Lakeshore radio & WLTH TALK channel.

Laughter Yoga has brought great joy in her own life and her goal is to spread inner joy and peace through Laughter.

WORKSHOPS, PUBLIC SPEAKING, LEADER CERTIFICATION, MOTIVATIONAL & STRESS MANAGEMENT TRAINING, PRIVATE LAUGHTER PARTIES.

website: http://www.laughteryoga4u.com/

1:00pm Main Stage - Great Hall

The 'LIGHT'er Side of Venting YOUR Anger & Frustrations Away Carolyn Shannon - Laughter Yoga Leader (Niagara region)

Experience this fun, interactive presentation by Carolyn Shannon, teacher, author, Laughter Yoga Leader & intuitive counselor.Drawing from her stressful experiences as both an Educator & Customer Service Provider, Carolyn shares with you some of the humorous venting techniques she used on the job to keep her temper & sanity.Join us for this interactive, “lightʼ hearted   workshop. You will learn 7 fun ways to express your daily anger & frustrations and smile while doing it !If you believe you donʼt have anything to be angry about then join us just for the “fun” of it.  (We want to know what planet you really came from ).

Carolyn Shannon from Niagara Falls, Canada has been a Laughter Yoga Leader for 2+ years mainly working with Seniors Residences and large groups as a warm up/wake up component to their events.

It is NEVER too late to look at YOUR Life from a 'Different' View!

EMPOWERMENT STARTS HERE:http://www.empowermentstartshere.com

1:00pm Lower Level - Classroom 1

Walking a mile in their shoes… Sylvie Dagenais-Douville - Laughter Yoga Teacher (Ottawa)

Of course we all know that Laughter is the best medicine!  That Laughter Yoga has numerous benefits for our seniors. We also know that a growing numbers of seniors are often feeling isolated, anxious and prone to bouts of depression. This workshop is about getting a better understanding on how to present Laughter Yoga to seniors. To make sure that we are spreading the joy they so desperately need, we have to know them better and understand them better. What is life like for them, their preoccupations and daily challenges.  This class/workshop is about walking a mile in their shoes, to bring a higher level of compassion to our growing population of seniors. It will help you to gain more respect and better understand the senior residencesʼ lingo, from independent living, assisted living and Dementia care. How should it affect your presentation?    Published author, public speaker and founder of the Laughing

Institute, Sylvie Dagenais-Douville is a dynamic  leader and teacher of Laughter Yoga. Trained by Doctor Madan Kataria the founder of Laughter Yoga movement, Sylvie has been invited to p r e s e n t L a u g h t e r Y o g a  a t c o n f e r e n c e s a n d workshop sessions all over the Country. Sylvieʼs experience and expertise in the fields of education and gerontology also help her bring an additional dimension and sensitivity to her laughter programs. Based in  Ottawa and Montreal, she offers Laughter Yoga sessions regularly to many retirement homes. She also uses the Laughter program as an amazing tool for Cancer survivors, their families and caregivers.It is with great passion that Sylvie promotes Laughter Yoga -“Laughter for no reason” and itʼs many benefits.

website:http://www.institutdurire.com/

1:00pm Lower Level - Classroom 2

Laughter Medicine - From Prevention to Cure Frank Pasquill - Laughter Yoga Leader (Toronto, Ontario)

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” But just how can we shift the balance of laughter medicine towards a lasting cure for stubborn addictions, depression, and anxiety.In 1995, Dr. Madan Kataria researched the health benefits of laughter while writing an article, “Laughter-The Best Medicine.” He studied Norman Cousin's 1979 publication of “Anatomy of an Illness.” which described an arthritis recovery program with laughter induced by Marx Brother films. Cousins reported,"I made the joyous discovery that ten minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anesthetic effect and would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep," Dr. William F. Fry confirmed that laughter causes our bodies to produce natural pain killers called endorphins. Is laughter medicine mainly preventative, palliative or curative when it comes to stress-related illnesses? Can laughter actually cure “dis-ease,” or just alleviate the symptoms? Experts like Dr. Gabor Mate claim a casual link between addictions and unresolved traumatic experiences. So how can laughter medicine resolve traumas that can be as old as our birth experience, or even earlier?Frank Pasquill may have discovered the answer to this question recently, after certification as a Laughter Yoga Leader. He had already incorporated Kundalini, Kripalu and Sivananda Yoga into his trauma therapy techniques. So after infusing laughter into“Emotional Tuning and Tension Release” he experienced profound improvements in his trauma healing protocol.Participants will establish their own joyful emotional anchor, by incorporating laughter into the routine shown in Video 1-"Calming Breath". This will prepare them to laugh through the progressive relaxation instructions in Video 6- "Emotional Tension Release" . Frank will then share a new eighteen minute video entitled, “Emotional Healing with Enhanced ETTR.” The workshop will finish with a live demonstration and discussion of how laughter can enhance emotional healing.This hour long workshop will be of particular interest to yoga instructors, yoga therapists and body workers, providing participants with a deep, self-healing laughter experience and increasing their ability as healing facilitators for stress-related illnesses. Conducted in a private classroom with yoga mats and chairs. Participants are encouraged to wear loose fitting pants. Best timing for the workshop is before, rather than after mealtimes.

Frank Pasquill

website http://www.emotionaltuning.com/

2:15pm Main Stage - Great Hall

Put on a Happy Face! An Exploration of Laughing, Singing, and Dancing to Shake Off the Blues and Turn Up the Dial on Experiencing Joyful, Blissful Aliveness

with Lynn Himmelmann CLYT, assisted by Elaine Rolfe, CLYL & Clown (Toronto)

Singing in the shower . . . It’s a safe bet you’ve done it, even if you’d never risk being heard elsewhere. But are you laughing in the shower? Not as likely. Unless you happen to be aLaughter Yoga buff getting into the laughter groove using your “laughter body soap” & “laughter hair shampoo”. What about laughing while you’re singing? It’s tricky, but doable. A well known example is ‘The Laughing Song’ from the musical, Mary Poppins, which playfully incorporates a variety of entertaining laughs that are loud, fast, a sudden blast, in the nose, through the teeth, like birds, “and then there’s the kind that can’t make up their mind” and comically tumble their way through every way of laughing!

In this interactive workshop for wanna-be laughing, singing, and dancing divas, we will playfully explore a repertoire of songs through the ages that are uplifting, fun, funny, happy, light-hearted and generally encourage us to come on over to “the sunny side” of life.

Guaranteed by the end of this 1 hour workshop you will be flying high, enlisted in the bright side of life – humming a favorite tune that strikes your fancy, as you make your way to the next conference workshop!!!

Lynn Himmelmann (B. Sc, B. Mus.), Wellness Consultant, Performing Artist, Singer, Musician, Teacher, and newly dubbed Toronto Laughter Champion, has dedicated more than 30 years to self-exploration and formal study in exceptional life-changing modalities for transforming body, mind, and spirit.

Lynn enthusiastically brings the Spirit of Laughter to government organizations, hospitals, universities, seniors’ homes, and private businesses in Toronto & across Canada. Additionally, she offers weekly Laughter Yoga classes and regularly trains and certifies Laughter Yoga Leaders, in affiliation with Laughter Yoga International.

She has appeared on CBC National News, Global TV, Rogers TV, The W Network, That Channel, to name a few. Known as ‘the Forgiveness & Laughter Coach’, she has helped countless individuals & organizations move from stress & suffering to meeting life joyfully, using the powerful synergy of forgiveness and laughter.

For articles, videos, and information visit: www.forgiveandlaugh.com

Elaine Rolfe is a recently certified Laughter Yoga leader who has just put the finishing touches on her first novel. She is also currently studying to be a clown, with the plan of eventually becoming a therapeutic clown.

Prior to these interesting new careers, Elaine practiced social work in the health care system for more than 20 years and, in her earlier life, worked as a magazine journalist. She believes that one's life work should be a source of joy and creativity and hopes that her new endeavors will provide happiness to everyone she works with.

2:15pm Lower Level - Classroom 1

Clown Doctors and Laughter to Raise Spirits (Sandy El-Bitar – Clown Doctor and Laughter Yoga Leader - Ottawa)“Clowns are revealed not created”Clown doctors improve the patients quality of life in the following ways:

• Break the hospital routine• Decrease stress• Decrease pain

This workshop introduces the experience of Sandy El-Bitar as a Clown Doctor in Lebanon working with children in hospitals. She will help you bring out your inner clown.

Sandy El-Bitar is a Recreation Director in Frontenac Residence and a current student in the Recreation and Leisure Services program offered in Algonquin College (2014). She has an artistic background. She graduated with a theatre degree from the Lebanese University, Fine Art Department, in 2010. She had completed various artistic workshops, including acting, clowning and improvising workshops with renowned artists. In addition, she specialized in Therapeutic Clowning with the help of the American University in Beirut and Theodora Foundation. She has an experience working in hospital environments as

a Clown Doctor. She has succeeded to offer positive 1739 bedside visits in 2 years with a unique sense of humor and special perception for critical situations. Presently, she is offering the program “Prescription of Happiness” in the long term care facility, Peter D. Clark, performing Clown Doctor Visits for the elderly.Sandy can be reached at sandy_bitar@hotmail.comphone: (819) 319–9670

2:15pm Lower Level - Classroom 2

Energy Flow: The Chakra Swing Laugh (Gail Robinson - Laughter Yoga Teacher - Michigan, USA)

The flow state proceeds from trust, an intention lightly held, and a playful spirit. These generate a sense of command. This acquired confidence frees us to deal spontaneously with unfolding opportunities, responding to the demands of the moment. -- Marilyn Ferguson, Aquarius Now

Goal: To heighten awareness of energy flow.Plan: To locate the vibrational frequency of laughter and shift obstacles to energy flow.Method: Practice Laughter Breathing with Humming and Hahaha-ing. Colour a Body-Wisdom Page. Practice The Chakra Swing Laugh.

Gail Robinson, CLL, CLT Traverse City, Michigan USAP.O. Box 616, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 website: www.laughingmatters.us phone: (231) 256-3477

Sunday

8:30am Main Stage - Great HallLaughter Meditation (Linda Leclerc - Master Trainer for Laughter Yoga International - Gatineau, Quebec)

Linda Leclerc is a pioneer of the Laughter Yoga movement in North America. She has been practicing since early 2003 and was the first Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher in Eastern Canada. Linda founded the Canadian School of Laughter Yoga in 2005 and is now the only Master Trainer in Canada. She recently founded the HAHA Sisterhood(tm), an international community of women laughing. A respected member of the International Laughter Yoga Network, Linda is a keynote speaker and a presenter. Recipient of the prestigious “Laughter Ambassador” in 2006 and again in 2009 for the quality of her work and her dedication, Linda has been working in Europe and North America to teach this simple yet powerful way to manage stress and have more fun. She is the author of the French book “Le Yoga du Rire” and the creator of the audio CD collection “Destination Rire”. She also translated Dr Katariaʼs book “Laugh for No Reason”.

website: http://www.yogadurire.com

Start your day with a beautiful  Breathing and Laughing Meditation  with Linda Leclerc, Canadian LY Master TrainerDuring this session, you will experiment a few breathing techniques that will help improve your lungs capacity, boost your energy and help you stay in the present. Start your day in a joyful way and learn how to include these simple yet powerful exercises in your daily routine.

Participants may choose to use a chair or be seated on the floor for this session. Please be advised to bring a mat, pillow, shawl or blanket for added comfort

9:00am Main Stage - Great HallGong Relaxation Meditation (Sophie Terrasse - Laughter Yoga Teacher - Ottawa)

Complete the morning laughter meditation with an exploration into the vibrational soundscape of wave energy from the Gong delivered by Sophie Terrasse.

Sophie J. Terrasse, M.A., is an accomplished artist and visionary for health and healing through joyful practices. She is Director and Founder of Laughter Capital & Sunflower Institute Ottawa & Founder of the Ottawa Sunflower Laughter Club.Sophie Terrasse first graduated from Université Claude Bernard, in Lyon, France, as a Speech Language Pathologist. She also holds a Master Degree in Art Therapy from UQAT (Université du Québec in Abitibi Témiscamingue) and is certified as a Kundalini Yoga and Laughter Yoga Teacher.

Sophie Terrasse offers therapy services, teaching seminars, group workshops and retreats within Canada and internationally, where she has also been a guest speaker in various conventions and conferences. In 2006, she founded the Ottawa Sunflower Laughter Club – and later, the Sunflower Institute – to implement and promote her unique therapeutic approach: Wellness through Art, Laughter and Yoga. In 2010, Sophie founded Laughter Capital as the embodiment of her Vision for Canada's Capital: to make Ottawa not only the National Capital and capital of seriousness, but also the Capital of Laughter! Sophie spreads Laughter Yoga in as many events and contexts as possible: public organizations, associations, health centers, schools, government agencies and private businesses.websites: www.laughtercapital.com & www.instituttournesol.com