About Kathryn

Laughter, My Best Buddy!

Laughter has always been a part of my life as far back as I can remember. I grew up with a father and mother who loved to make people laugh. They were always smiling and laughing.

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.

At times I found myself sad, afraid, and alone  Though I was insecure, fortunately I was also unbelievably resilient.
So many times we’re told when we’re young,
Be quiet, stop talking, this isn’t the time or place to laugh.

So when is?

One day while visiting friends of my parents, I came running to my dad crying that their children were ignoring me . BOO HOO!
He sat me down and told me that if I could help them laugh, they would want to hang out with me. Everyone needs and loves to laugh.

It turned out that I was a natural laughter catalyst.
All I needed was permission to laugh and my fathers encouragement.

Laughter was my way of releasing the everyday hurts of being a child and teenager.
(You remember how tough it was to fit in.)
I learned very young if I wanted to feel better all I had to do was laugh. No use crying over spilled milk.
You’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.
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.

In 2002 I started my journey to becoming a Holistic Practitioner delivering through spiritual guidance, Hands on Healing encompassing Reiki, and CranioSacral Therapy.

I was aware that I there was something missing in my personal healing tool box, but was not sure what that might be until 2010.

It was then I heard about Laughter Yoga, and started attending weekly sessions for the fun of it. Again I realized  how laughter could release pain, stress, frustration and loneliness. My missing tool had been found!

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.

In March, 2010 I became a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, accredited by Dr. Madan Kataria’s School of Laughter Yoga.
I founded Hamilton Grooves with Laughter, The Pied Piper of Laugh-a-Lot Program for Children and Living Healthier Lifestyle Seminars through Laughter Yoga to profit and not for profit organizations.

To this day I continue to volunteer my time to run and lead Laughter Yoga sessions every Sunday morning year round outside at the Hamilton Waterfront, Pier 8.
Club members can tap into their child-like playfulness, release stress, dump depression, boost their immune system and feel part of a positive community.

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.

Dreams come true.

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.)

I’ve always encouraged people to laugh, be happier, but on a smaller scale. Now I’m able to motivate, inspire and transform thousands of people, young and old, through my Laughter Yoga programs and seminars in Canada, the USA and overseas.

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.

Since I became a certified leader I have facilitated Laughter Yoga presentations across Ontario at corporate events, public schools, day cares, colleges, universities, retirement homes, Gilda’s Club, NAPCC, financial institutions, recreation centres, church functions, Community Living and Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club.
I have also been blessed to laugh with Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s support groups, Good Shepherd, Grandmother’s of Steel, HAPA, Huntington Society of Canada, brain injury/cancer clinics, health and wellness events, retreats, hospitals, hospices, women auxiliary groups and outside events at City Hall.

In addition, I hope to follow Dr. Katarias example, and bring Laughter Yoga sessions to those in detention centres and prisons.

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.

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.

During the month of July 2013, I had the opportunity to spend a month spreading my wings in my first play called “Green Being Green” 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. Friends forever were made in the celebration of this play.
Very good, very good, YEAH!

There are so many possibilities when you are empowered with laughter..

On October 13, 2017, in Toronto, Ontario at a networking event, I was presented the, “Laughter Ambassador of Canada” award by Dr. Kataria for the outstanding work I have done across Ontario.

My mission is to encourage 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.
For my next dream, traveling the world laughing.