Laughter Yoga Benefits
Testaments
Children, Adults, Seniors and Corporations
Laughing feels like an inner party! That's why laughing is like a medical pill when stress and doubt appears.
Just laugh for no reason. The body and subconscious mind will feel better.
Just laugh for no reason. The body and subconscious mind will feel better.
It's A Family Affair Testaments !
Magdalena Tsiongas, Community School Coordinator at Liberty Elementary School
Sat. 24, 2020 "Ms. Gerri brought some much needed goofiness and laughter to our elementary school parents struggling with stress during this pandemic. Laughter made us feel like kids again and allowed us to loosen up, laugh at ourselves and build closer relationships. Thank you!" |
Melanie Jacobs, EPFL Light Street Branch, September 2019
I was unfamiliar with Laughter Yoga and had no idea what to expect. Gerri Bohanan is a warm, engaging person who skillfully led participants to shed inhibitions and embrace the laughter. Children and adults enjoyed the workshops. I definitely plan on having Gerri back to the library. Laughter is the best medicine! |
Frank Bravo, DallasTexas
"On July 11, 2018, eight individuals: two young children, two teenagers and 4 adults, gathered for a laughter yoga session at Hal's home. While the instructor knew the hostess, I had met the family and friends for the first time. It was quite interesting that the teenagers were at first apprehensive at what was required of them, but they in the end were the most animated when asked to assume their roles as different kind of animals. As we all assumed greater responsibility in allowing our laughter to be more infectious, I think we all became closer to one another and truly coming away with so much more about each individual. It would be the best day of our excursion to Little Rock!"
"On July 11, 2018, eight individuals: two young children, two teenagers and 4 adults, gathered for a laughter yoga session at Hal's home. While the instructor knew the hostess, I had met the family and friends for the first time. It was quite interesting that the teenagers were at first apprehensive at what was required of them, but they in the end were the most animated when asked to assume their roles as different kind of animals. As we all assumed greater responsibility in allowing our laughter to be more infectious, I think we all became closer to one another and truly coming away with so much more about each individual. It would be the best day of our excursion to Little Rock!"
Testaments of Children and Students
Dr. Vanessa L Jackson, EdD, MFA, MA 2020- 2022
Thank you so much for exposing my DANCE 102 Vinyasa Yoga students to the art of Laughter Yoga. After your class, students commented about how you taught them to laugh through their mid-term blues. It was also great how you created a community of adults laughing, enjoying the moment!
Coppin State University Dance Program https://www.coppin.edu/ MIndful Living 4 Life Coach https://www.mindfulliving4life.com/
Susana D. Torres, Library Media Specialist Annapolis Rd. Academy Nov 4, 2020 on Zoom
"It was our pleasure to have met you! Thank you very much for all the new knowledge you shared with us. We will try to laugh every day, especially during a difficult time. And Just thinking about the Laughter Yoga it puts a smile on my face and makes my whole body being light." LY is totally a stress reliever and will keep you laughing, and it's feeling great to experience the importance of attending the Laughter yoga. You're the BEST Ms. Gerri Bohanan"
Baltimore City Community College High School students, Fall 2018, spring and summer 2019
"I like looking on the floor for meditation." "Makes me feel happier." "Wow! it's great!" "Makes me peaceful."
"I feel better after Laughter Yoga." "I love laughing now." "Glad it was easy to be childlike." "It's fun!"
Hal, Little Rock, Arkansas 7/7/2018
“That Laughing yoga is something. Thank you for introducing us to it. It lifted everybody’s spirit, especially Zainab’s who got her wisdom teeth out yesterday. She’s doing good today.”
Nicole, Baltimore, MD 2017-19 “My son enjoys attending Laughter Yoga. It has made an impact on his life, reducing stress and anxiety.”
Maizelle Morcosom, Calamba, Philippines 6/14/2018 “My students keep on remembering the song you've taught them.”
Dr. Vanessa L Jackson, EdD, MFA, MA 2020- 2022
Thank you so much for exposing my DANCE 102 Vinyasa Yoga students to the art of Laughter Yoga. After your class, students commented about how you taught them to laugh through their mid-term blues. It was also great how you created a community of adults laughing, enjoying the moment!
Coppin State University Dance Program https://www.coppin.edu/ MIndful Living 4 Life Coach https://www.mindfulliving4life.com/
Susana D. Torres, Library Media Specialist Annapolis Rd. Academy Nov 4, 2020 on Zoom
"It was our pleasure to have met you! Thank you very much for all the new knowledge you shared with us. We will try to laugh every day, especially during a difficult time. And Just thinking about the Laughter Yoga it puts a smile on my face and makes my whole body being light." LY is totally a stress reliever and will keep you laughing, and it's feeling great to experience the importance of attending the Laughter yoga. You're the BEST Ms. Gerri Bohanan"
Baltimore City Community College High School students, Fall 2018, spring and summer 2019
"I like looking on the floor for meditation." "Makes me feel happier." "Wow! it's great!" "Makes me peaceful."
"I feel better after Laughter Yoga." "I love laughing now." "Glad it was easy to be childlike." "It's fun!"
Hal, Little Rock, Arkansas 7/7/2018
“That Laughing yoga is something. Thank you for introducing us to it. It lifted everybody’s spirit, especially Zainab’s who got her wisdom teeth out yesterday. She’s doing good today.”
Nicole, Baltimore, MD 2017-19 “My son enjoys attending Laughter Yoga. It has made an impact on his life, reducing stress and anxiety.”
Maizelle Morcosom, Calamba, Philippines 6/14/2018 “My students keep on remembering the song you've taught them.”
Testaments From Adults
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Cinnamon Brown, Victorious Attitudes for Everyday Life, Inc, Owings Mills, MD
"My first introduction to Ms. Gerri Bohanan was in 2018. A friend of mine had witnessed my love for laughter yoga and how it helped me manage my stress and high blood pressure. She recommended that I meet Ms. Bohanan and take her certification course to become a Laughter yoga leader. She needed to say no more, I was all in and Ms. Bohanan and laughter yoga was high on my priority list. For over a year, I called and begged and patiently waited for Ms. Bohanan to offer her course. The world was in despite need of Mrs. Bohanan and Laughter Yoga more than ever. We were thrusted into a Global Pandemic and Covid had shaken our world as we knew it. I was so grateful Ms. Bohanan took her certification course online. It was truly amazing. I love Ms. Gerri’s candor and light heartedness. But most importantly Ms. Bohanan taught me about the power of embracing my inner child and letting her be free and unapologetic. Ms. Bohanan’ s laughter is a gift to the world and I am grateful for her teachings and this amazing book. Read this book and laugh everyone, laugh with Ms. Bohanan as if your life depends on it."
Brittany, Baltimore MD 2020 Joined on Let's Laugh Together Zoom 2020
" Laughter Yoga helps out with some of my problems. Gerri is excellent."
Tyler, Baltimore MD 2020 Joined on Let's Laugh Together Zoom 2020
"I am Thankful for laugher yoga, it has helped with being able to laugh my way through this troubling time of 2020."
Valerie, Baltimore, MD Sept 2019
"From the first session with Ms. Gerri in her amazing laughter yoga class, I felt peace and even joy entering me. I highly recommend her classes, which are much fun, inspiring, and gleefully addictive. I got a kick out of seeing people around our group watching, and then laughing - just seeing our laughter got them laughing, too. Ms. Gerri is kind, patient, and flexible, and her only goal is to share this health- and soul-healing yoga practice with as many people as she can reach. I've been telling friends all about it and even shared one of the moves with my choir. Can't wait for another session with Ms. Gerri!"
Dr. Erick E. Witherspoon, Los Angeles, CA 11/10/18
“Laughter Yoga is medicine for the soul! It’s soothing and refreshing. Gerri is masterful and a second to none instructor!”
Wally, Austin, TX June 2018
“Initially I was skeptical of the benefits of Laughter Yoga, but between the informative and well timed delivery of the material by Gerri, and the genuinely therapeutic nature of the exercises, I quickly realized the value of laughter at ensuring good physical and mental well being. I strongly recommend anyone who had the chance to attend a session.”
Jordan Simmons, Baltimore, MD May 2018
"I enjoy Laughter Yoga because it's so much fun for me!"
Tyler, Baltimore MD May 4, 2018
"I enjoy Laughter Yoga because I can be silly and loud without being judged."
Michael Thomas, Baltimore, MD January, 2018
"I just wanted to "Thank You", for our Laugh Yoga session. It instinctively and unexpectedly kicked in on a hectic day. We were moving our daughter into her college dorm and it was chaotic, to say the least. People with boxes, carts, and furniture, etc...was everywhere. It was difficult to park so we had to carry my daughter's things for quite some distance and then you had to wait and fight your way on to the elevator to get to her room floor. Needless to say we were all stressed and full of frustration but something happened as we were standing in the line waiting for the elevator. We all looked at each other and simultaneously chanted "Very Good, Very Good, Very Good, YAAAY".......which was something we had learned in Laughter Yoga. It came out of nowhere and we all started to laugh afterwards, as we couldn't believe that we were all thinking the same thing. It was funny but somewhat spiritual as our mood had totally changed from stressed to feeling our best. It seemed as if everything changed at that moment. There was nothing but fun and love in the air. So much that it must have showed because when we got back to the building for our next load a young lady opened the door for and said "Wow ya'll are such a beautiful family". We met the roommates and parents and the vibes were just perfect. Everything seemed to go perfectly right after our Laughing Yoga skills kicked in. We are grateful for our Laugh Yoga experience because it helped us get through a would have been difficult situation. So KUDOS to Laughter Yoga...All I have to say is Very Good, Very Good, Very Good YAAY!!!!😆"
Photos: Left to right: Erick, Oji, Kwabena, Mike, and WallyI am Thankful for laugher yoga, it has helped with being able to laugh my way through this troubling time of 2020.
"My first introduction to Ms. Gerri Bohanan was in 2018. A friend of mine had witnessed my love for laughter yoga and how it helped me manage my stress and high blood pressure. She recommended that I meet Ms. Bohanan and take her certification course to become a Laughter yoga leader. She needed to say no more, I was all in and Ms. Bohanan and laughter yoga was high on my priority list. For over a year, I called and begged and patiently waited for Ms. Bohanan to offer her course. The world was in despite need of Mrs. Bohanan and Laughter Yoga more than ever. We were thrusted into a Global Pandemic and Covid had shaken our world as we knew it. I was so grateful Ms. Bohanan took her certification course online. It was truly amazing. I love Ms. Gerri’s candor and light heartedness. But most importantly Ms. Bohanan taught me about the power of embracing my inner child and letting her be free and unapologetic. Ms. Bohanan’ s laughter is a gift to the world and I am grateful for her teachings and this amazing book. Read this book and laugh everyone, laugh with Ms. Bohanan as if your life depends on it."
Brittany, Baltimore MD 2020 Joined on Let's Laugh Together Zoom 2020
" Laughter Yoga helps out with some of my problems. Gerri is excellent."
Tyler, Baltimore MD 2020 Joined on Let's Laugh Together Zoom 2020
"I am Thankful for laugher yoga, it has helped with being able to laugh my way through this troubling time of 2020."
Valerie, Baltimore, MD Sept 2019
"From the first session with Ms. Gerri in her amazing laughter yoga class, I felt peace and even joy entering me. I highly recommend her classes, which are much fun, inspiring, and gleefully addictive. I got a kick out of seeing people around our group watching, and then laughing - just seeing our laughter got them laughing, too. Ms. Gerri is kind, patient, and flexible, and her only goal is to share this health- and soul-healing yoga practice with as many people as she can reach. I've been telling friends all about it and even shared one of the moves with my choir. Can't wait for another session with Ms. Gerri!"
Dr. Erick E. Witherspoon, Los Angeles, CA 11/10/18
“Laughter Yoga is medicine for the soul! It’s soothing and refreshing. Gerri is masterful and a second to none instructor!”
Wally, Austin, TX June 2018
“Initially I was skeptical of the benefits of Laughter Yoga, but between the informative and well timed delivery of the material by Gerri, and the genuinely therapeutic nature of the exercises, I quickly realized the value of laughter at ensuring good physical and mental well being. I strongly recommend anyone who had the chance to attend a session.”
Jordan Simmons, Baltimore, MD May 2018
"I enjoy Laughter Yoga because it's so much fun for me!"
Tyler, Baltimore MD May 4, 2018
"I enjoy Laughter Yoga because I can be silly and loud without being judged."
Michael Thomas, Baltimore, MD January, 2018
"I just wanted to "Thank You", for our Laugh Yoga session. It instinctively and unexpectedly kicked in on a hectic day. We were moving our daughter into her college dorm and it was chaotic, to say the least. People with boxes, carts, and furniture, etc...was everywhere. It was difficult to park so we had to carry my daughter's things for quite some distance and then you had to wait and fight your way on to the elevator to get to her room floor. Needless to say we were all stressed and full of frustration but something happened as we were standing in the line waiting for the elevator. We all looked at each other and simultaneously chanted "Very Good, Very Good, Very Good, YAAAY".......which was something we had learned in Laughter Yoga. It came out of nowhere and we all started to laugh afterwards, as we couldn't believe that we were all thinking the same thing. It was funny but somewhat spiritual as our mood had totally changed from stressed to feeling our best. It seemed as if everything changed at that moment. There was nothing but fun and love in the air. So much that it must have showed because when we got back to the building for our next load a young lady opened the door for and said "Wow ya'll are such a beautiful family". We met the roommates and parents and the vibes were just perfect. Everything seemed to go perfectly right after our Laughing Yoga skills kicked in. We are grateful for our Laugh Yoga experience because it helped us get through a would have been difficult situation. So KUDOS to Laughter Yoga...All I have to say is Very Good, Very Good, Very Good YAAY!!!!😆"
Photos: Left to right: Erick, Oji, Kwabena, Mike, and WallyI am Thankful for laugher yoga, it has helped with being able to laugh my way through this troubling time of 2020.
Testaments From Seniors
Sue and Al, Mississippi Joined on Let's Laugh Together Zoom 2020
"Al and I enjoyed your Laughter Yoga Session. Al was smiling all evening, content and happy. We were all doing Very Good, Very Good, Yay!!!!!!!!!!!! It was food for the soul. Thank you."
Maxine Miles, Rockaway Beach, New York. Joined on Let's Laugh Together Zoom 2020
"Thank you Gerri for your sunny disposition and beautiful smile. Your energy is contagious and lifts my spirits every time I participate. The slogans are just what’s needed to invigorate the spirit.....wish I could participate more- I’m working on changing my schedule. Thank you for introducing me to the laughter yoga perspective on living happy!!"
Ernestine Lofton, Brooklyn, NY Joined on Let's Laugh Together Zoom 2020
"I am so proud of you and all you have accomplished in laughter yoga. I enjoy it when I get a chance to get on. It’s in lightning. It makes me feel good for the rest of the day and I just would like to continue to be on your laughter yoga list as soon as I can get past all I have to do at the time you have the class. That is very busy for me but I’m gonna try my best to continue on with you and yoga. I love it and I’ll see you soon. Love your baby sister Ernestine.
Cindy Nichols, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS, Clinical Faculty The Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences at Loyola University Maryland: PPA Resource and Discussion Group
July 2019
"Gerri - thank you so much for your wonderful presentation on Wednesday night. I have to admit, I was a little nervous that it would be uncomfortable, but on the contrary - it was so much fun and I agree with the others who said it was freeing and relaxing and positive. It was also something we could all do together, which is difficult to pull off when our members are at such varying levels. We'll do it again next summer, if that works for you!"
Photo: PPA Resource and Discussion Group of 10 students, 2 supervisors and 15-20 group members
"Al and I enjoyed your Laughter Yoga Session. Al was smiling all evening, content and happy. We were all doing Very Good, Very Good, Yay!!!!!!!!!!!! It was food for the soul. Thank you."
Maxine Miles, Rockaway Beach, New York. Joined on Let's Laugh Together Zoom 2020
"Thank you Gerri for your sunny disposition and beautiful smile. Your energy is contagious and lifts my spirits every time I participate. The slogans are just what’s needed to invigorate the spirit.....wish I could participate more- I’m working on changing my schedule. Thank you for introducing me to the laughter yoga perspective on living happy!!"
Ernestine Lofton, Brooklyn, NY Joined on Let's Laugh Together Zoom 2020
"I am so proud of you and all you have accomplished in laughter yoga. I enjoy it when I get a chance to get on. It’s in lightning. It makes me feel good for the rest of the day and I just would like to continue to be on your laughter yoga list as soon as I can get past all I have to do at the time you have the class. That is very busy for me but I’m gonna try my best to continue on with you and yoga. I love it and I’ll see you soon. Love your baby sister Ernestine.
Cindy Nichols, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS, Clinical Faculty The Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences at Loyola University Maryland: PPA Resource and Discussion Group
July 2019
"Gerri - thank you so much for your wonderful presentation on Wednesday night. I have to admit, I was a little nervous that it would be uncomfortable, but on the contrary - it was so much fun and I agree with the others who said it was freeing and relaxing and positive. It was also something we could all do together, which is difficult to pull off when our members are at such varying levels. We'll do it again next summer, if that works for you!"
Photo: PPA Resource and Discussion Group of 10 students, 2 supervisors and 15-20 group members
Towson University Wellness Center,
August 2019
Here are some of the testimonials from the group:
"Laughter Yoga was a much-needed break from the troubles in my life. It was the first time, in a long time, that I have been able to stop thinking about all of the things that are going wrong."
"I feel lifted"
"I feel happy"
Photo: TU Wellness Center Supports the Cure for Alzheimer's Disease Group
August 2019
Here are some of the testimonials from the group:
"Laughter Yoga was a much-needed break from the troubles in my life. It was the first time, in a long time, that I have been able to stop thinking about all of the things that are going wrong."
"I feel lifted"
"I feel happy"
Photo: TU Wellness Center Supports the Cure for Alzheimer's Disease Group
charles Dugger, Leader at Baltimore, MD Dec. 2018
" For over thirty years, I have been presenting Pre-Kwanzaa and Kwanzaa celebrations at many branches at Enoch Pratt Free Library. This part of December, 2018, Ayize Bohanan joined me at some of the Pratt Library branches and introduced Laughter Yoga to all of us present. Each of her presentations were enthusiastically presented and thus motivated and energized us.
Ayize Bohanan's engaging presentation reminds me of the two songs by the great African-American entertainers, James Brown, who sang "Get on Up and " I Free Good."
Ayize Bohanan and I are retired Baltimore City Public Schools teachers. We know the importance of getting people actively involved in their own life experiences. Through Ayize Bohanan's Laughter Yoga presentations, we are reminded that we deserve to be happy."
Photo: Charles Dugger
(Photo: Coppin State University Toastmasters Club, May 2018) Cheryl Gross, Coppin State Toastmasters president 2018-19. "Thank you Gerri for introducing me to Laughter Yoga. I had never heard of it before then….actually I thought it was rather corny. Once I engaged in the laughter and hearing others laughing, it was rather amusing….and if you did not know, you actually release endorphins that make you feel good. Laughter Yoga is a new Stress Releaser for me!!! Gerri thank you for keeping us LAUGHING!!" Dolphus Cue, ACB, MSU & CSU Toastmaster. "....before I attended a "Let's laugh, laughter yoga" session with Gerri, I thought I knew what laughter was but never considered its' benefits. Also, I knew very little about yoga, and absolutely nothing about "Laughter Yoga." However I was curious about the combination of the two. Gerri gave explanations and demonstrations which altered my views about laughter. I left that session laughing, fully aware of laughter's benefits, and with a new realization: our brains can't tell the difference between real laughter and fake laughter, now that's something to laugh about even if you don't think its ‘funny’. Angie Dobson, Baltimore, MD 2018 “I am so glad that I’ve been introduced by Ms. Bohanan to Laughter Yoga. I’ve found a new way to relieve stress and anxiety. After a workshop, I am calmer and less high strung. I’m learning that laughter can be healing.” LaVerne Gray, Touring Cuba in Jan. 2018. "No joking...and you still laugh your head off!!! Thanks, Ms. Bohanan for bringing this fun to us." |
Photo: Rev. Lameteria Hall and Gerri Bohanan
Gerri, Why did I want to become a LY teacher? "I attended several wonderful Laughter Yoga (LY) club workshops hosted by my fantastic mentor, Rev. Lameteria Hall, LY Teacher in 2017 at One God One Thought Center in Baltimore, Maryland. I fell in love with it! I witnessed and have proof LY improved my mental health! Depression is gone. Happiness is here. After attending several LY workshops, suddenly I woke up smiling. I witnessed smiling automatically for days for no reason. Mentioned it to a psychological doctor and he wanted to check to see if I had a stroke. NO, it wasn't. Now, it's improving my language lost because I laugh more. I love watching myself improve. As a result, I want to spread Laughter Yoga out to others because I believe it will help others mentally, physically and spiritually (LY not related to religions or politics). It is healthy. I believe and feel laughing increases our vibration frequency. Joy is willing to open our heart and invite happiness to stay. Happiness, gratitude, love and kindness flows in together and can stay in life. Laughing feels like an inner party! That's why laughing is like a medical pill when stress and doubt appears. Just laugh for no reason. The body and subconscious mind will feel better. |
Testaments from Corporations
Dena Barnwell, College of Health Professions student for Health Science: Education & Promotion '19 at Towson University
August 2019
"I have been talking up your session with my supervisors at TU and they have asked me to reach out to you about the possibility of you doing another session. This is a retreat with Towson University's VP & CFO, and the associate vice presidents for several departments. It will be about 11-15 attendees, but the vice president is excited to bring something like this to his leadership team.
August 2019
"I have been talking up your session with my supervisors at TU and they have asked me to reach out to you about the possibility of you doing another session. This is a retreat with Towson University's VP & CFO, and the associate vice presidents for several departments. It will be about 11-15 attendees, but the vice president is excited to bring something like this to his leadership team.
Zel Fowler, AzABSE President June 2018
"Laughing Yoga should be a requirement for all classrooms! Gerri introduced educators to the power of laughing at Arizona's 2018 Teacher Leadership Summit, which ignited an interest in this work. Laugh Yoga bridges the gap between the Arts and Science, and satisfies the social emotional needs of teaching and learning!"
"Laughing Yoga should be a requirement for all classrooms! Gerri introduced educators to the power of laughing at Arizona's 2018 Teacher Leadership Summit, which ignited an interest in this work. Laugh Yoga bridges the gap between the Arts and Science, and satisfies the social emotional needs of teaching and learning!"
Lisa Austin, TX. vice principal, July 2018
"Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying but with a high stress job sometimes things just aren't funny. With Laughter Yoga, I don't have to leave releasing stress to change, I can take 5-10 minutes to practice my Laughter Yoga and then move on with my day."
Photo:. Pflugerville and Austin TX employees: auto technician, police officer, office managers, vice principal, teachers, etc.
"Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying but with a high stress job sometimes things just aren't funny. With Laughter Yoga, I don't have to leave releasing stress to change, I can take 5-10 minutes to practice my Laughter Yoga and then move on with my day."
Photo:. Pflugerville and Austin TX employees: auto technician, police officer, office managers, vice principal, teachers, etc.
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Feel free to CONTACT Gerri Ayize Bohanan, certified Laughter Yoga Teacher gerri@laughteryogawithgerri.com or laughwithgerri@gmail.com Cell: 443-909-6254 Located in Baltimore, MD. Willing to go anywhere Ha ha ha! CONNECT WITH ME |