My Profile

Laughter, My Best Buddy!_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Laughter has been my best buddy as far back as I can remember. I grew up with a father who loved to make people laugh. He was always smiling and laughing._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ As a young child I was very sensitive, I mean super sensitive. If you looked at me, I thought you were either talking about me or laughing at me. I wish Laughter Yoga had been part of my life back then. I might not have been so self conscious and unsure of myself._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Many times I found myself alone and crying. My best friend at the time was my dog, Perky. He listened to me, showed compassion and empathy, without judging me. Though I was insecure, fortunately I was also unbelievably resilient._x000D_ _x000D_ So many times were told when were young,_x000D_ _x000D_ Be quiet, stop talking, this isnäó»t the time or place to laugh._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ So when is?_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ One day while visiting friends of my parents, I came running to my dad crying that their children were ignoring me . BOO HOO!_x000D_ _x000D_ He sat me down and told me that if I could make them laugh, they would want to play with me. Everyone loves to laugh._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ It turned out that I was a natural laughter catalyst._x000D_ _x000D_ All I needed was permission to laugh and my fathers encouragement._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Laughter was my way of releasing the everyday hurts of being a child and teenager._x000D_ _x000D_ (You remember how tough it was to fit in.)_x000D_ _x000D_ I learned very young if I wanted to feel better all I had to do was laugh. No use crying over spilt milk._x000D_ _x000D_ Youäó»ve heard the expressions, Laughter is the best medicine, or laugh it off, well even when I was young I knew how important it was to let go._x000D_ _x000D_ I never forgot these expressions and lived by them through the tough times and the good ones. So instead of crying, I laughed and regained my perspective on life in a positive way._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ In 2002 I started my journey to becoming a Holistic Practitioner delivering through spiritual guidance, Hands on Healing encompassing Reiki, CranioSacral Therapy and Touch for Health._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ I was aware that I needed another technique to add to my personal healing tool box, but was not sure what that might be until 2010._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ I started working at a health food store where Ive gained enormous knowledge of natural food supplements. I started a daily regime of supplementation to better my chances of a healthier lifestyle and to help others do the same._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ It was then I heard about Laughter Yoga, and started attending weekly sessions for the fun of it. There, I realized again how laughter could release pain, stress, frustration and loneliness. My missing tool had been found!_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Laughter Yoga gave me the opportunity to be silly, tap into my child-like spirit, be around others who love to laugh and to share this unique concept with those who had forgotten how to laugh._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ In March, 2010 I became a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, accredited by Dr. Madan Katarias School of Laughter Yoga. In the past two years I founded and continue to facilitate Concession on the Mountain Laughter Yoga Club, the Pied Piper of Laughalot programs for school age children and Living Healthier Lifestyle Seminars through Laughter Yoga to profit and not for profit organizations._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ I volunteer my time to run and lead Laughter Yoga sessions every second and fourth Tuesday night. I lead my classes outside at Sam Lawrence Park while the weather is nice and when the temperature starts to drop, we meet indoors._x000D_ _x000D_ Club members can tap into their child-like playfulness, release stress, dump depression, boost their immune system and feel part of a positive community._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ I have met many wonderful people who are motivating, encouraging, supportive, inspiring and happy. I love tapping into my happy inner child on a daily basis because miracles start to happen._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Dreams come true._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ In November 2011, I introduced Laughter Yoga on the MSC Poesia cruise ship. In Key West, Florida I helped thousands of people laugh for no reason. (Well, I did have this corny chicken hat on my head.)_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Iäó»ve always encouraged people to laugh, be happier, but on a smaller scale. Now Iäó»m able to motivate, inspire and transform thousands of people, young and old, through my Laughter Yoga classes and seminars in both Canada and the USA._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Helping people to bring more laughter and joy into their everyday lives so they can live a healthier lifestyle has become my joy, my passion, my love._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Since I became a certified leader I have facilitated Laughter Yoga presentations in the Hamilton area as well as the greater Toronto area, the Haldimand District and the Niagara Penisula at corporate events, public schools, day cares, colleges, universities, retirement homes, Gildaäó»s Club, financial institutions, recreation centres, church functions, Alzheimers support groups, Huntington Society of Canada, brain injury/cancer clinics, health and wellness events, retreats, hospitals, hospices, women auxiliary groups and outside events at City Hall._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ In addition, I hope to follow Dr. Katarias example, and bring Laughter Yoga sessions to those in detention centres and prisons._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Courtney Corbeil from McMasters radio station CFMU FM 93.3 invited me twice to be a guest speaker on her show talking about Laughter Yoga and its many benefits, CBC radio, along with Jill Robinson from Blog Talk Radio._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ In the Hamilton, ON, area, I have appeared on CTS Network television, CHCH, Hamilton Community News and Cable 14 News Hamilton where they interviewed me about the concept of Laughter Yoga and asked fellow laughers about the benefits they have been receiving. I even traveled to Oshawa to be a special guest on Rogers TV, Easter Monday, 2013._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ I have also had introductory articles about Laughter Yoga published in nine different health magazines, and am planning to submit follow-ups shortly._x000D_ _x000D_ My dream of taking the teacher training with Laura Gentry, an ordained minister in Iowa, came true in October 2012 at the Assisi Heights Spirituality Center in Rochester, Minnesota. Laura has established a rewarding and fun-filled, part-time career in Laughter Yoga. As a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher,?æmy first Laughter Yoga Leader training was on June 29th and 30th, 2013, then August 17th and 18th?æand with many requests from my laughter friends, my next training is?æOctober 19th and 20th._x000D_ _x000D_ This July, I had the opportunity to spend a month spreading my wings in my first play called äóìGreen Being Greenäó written by Peter Ormond for the Hamilton Fringe Festival. My part was Love and Laughter. How fitting! I met many wonderful and inspiring people from this amazing experience._x000D_ _x000D_ Friends forever were made in the celebration of this play._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Very good, very good, YEAH!_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ There are so many possibilities when you are empowered with laughter._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ My mission is to create laughter everywhere I go, every day, with everyone, beginning with the young to those who are young at heart in all walks of life. My goal is to create a world where healthy people come together in harmony and peace, creating a lifetime of happiness for one and for all. My purpose is to lead by example so I can laugh forever in the minds of others._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Now for my next dream, traveling the world laughing!_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Kathryn Kimmins, Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher_x000D_ _x000D_ 905-574-1765_x000D_ _x000D_ [email?æprotected]_x000D_ _x000D_ http://www.laughyourselfhealthy.ca_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Certified Laughter Yoga Leader Trainings_x000D_ _x000D_ http://laughyourselfhealthy.ca/workshops.html_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Radio and You Tube_x000D_ _x000D_ Interview with Jill Robinson_x000D_ _x000D_ McMaster University interview_x000D_ _x000D_ www.dzintarscers.com/content/radio-shows_x000D_ _x000D_ http://youtu.be/6reKPMbebKY?æ?æ Green Being Green Festival_x000D_ _x000D_ http://youtu.be/FY71WCSj4Ho?æ?æ Mountain News_x000D_ _x000D_ http://youtu.be/v-K0Y3nI67s?æ?æ?æ?æ Hamilton Life, Cable 14_x000D_ _x000D_ http://youtu.be/7JFywjNePFU?æ?æ?æ?æ The Emowell Project_x000D_ _x000D_ http://youtu.be/QdPeiRBKwaY?æ?æ Contagious Conversation_x000D_ _x000D_ http://t.co/7CspUM0NYd?æ?æ?æ?æ?æ?æ?æ?æ?æ?æ?æ Living with Parkinsons_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Magazine Articles_x000D_ _x000D_ http://www.hwsmag.com/shared/media/issue/35/file.pdf?æ page 11_x000D_ _x000D_ www.ecoparent.ca/laughteryoga.pdf_x000D_ _x000D_ natural facts?æ?æ page 18_x000D_ _x000D_ Horizon-Huntingtons Disease_x000D_ _x000D_ Hamilton Magazine_x000D_ _x000D_ United Church Observer_x000D_ _x000D_ ?æHWS magazine?æ?æ page 33_x000D_ _x000D_ Silver and Gold Magazine?æ?æ?æ page 28_x000D_ _x000D_ http://www.theface.biz/magazine/laughing-better-health-road/#.U-Lx5aPCfIZhttp://www.communikategood.com/laughter-yoga_x000D_ _x000D_ Kids Naturally?æ page 26_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Television_x000D_ _x000D_ http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=2&gid=112961_x000D_ _x000D_ CHCH Morning Live interview_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_  _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ References:_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Maike Zinabou, Huntington Society of Canada, 519-576-6102_x000D_ _x000D_ Carolann Bosett, CB Network, 905-296-1344_x000D_ _x000D_ Marco Felvus, Mohawk College, 905-575-1212 ext. 3590_x000D_ _x000D_ Connie Rochelea, Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club, 905-549-2814_x000D_ _x000D_ Heather Couzens, Caroline Place Retirement Residence, 905-548-7660 ext. 154