Laughter Yoga with Linda Kalb Hamm
Linda has always been fascinated by the mind and spirit. After completing her undergraduate studies in Sociology and Psychology at U.C. Berkeley, she was drawn to the philosophy of the Montessori education system because of its celebration of the joy and wonder of childhood and its emphasis on a genuine, universal connection with others. Her Montessori training gave her a unique perspective of education ... that its highest purpose was to teach compassion and respect for all who inhabit the world around us, something Dr. Maria Montessori described as "education for peace." According to Linda, "The delight that my students expressed in this learning environment was contagious!"
Now, Linda teaches another form of gleeful and infectious learning that connects students of all ages to the people and world around them ... Laughter Yoga! Whether she is working with children, teens, adults , seniors or memory care patients, she experiences that same contagious delight of childhood as her students discover the relaxation and joy of unconditional laughter.
Linda believes that Laughter Yoga is the best integrative work-out for body, mind and soul. It has provided her with the tools to stay positive throughout some challenging personal and health ordeals. She knows that laughter can give us the ability to handle whatever life sends our way, and helps us lead a healthy, balanced, positive, caring and joyful existence. Like other laughter professionals, her mission is to share the jubilance of unconditional laughter with students of all ages to promote a better life, a peaceful world and a graceful transition to whatever is next!
A Laughter Yoga International certified leader and trainer, she founded "Laughing My Angst Off Laughter Yoga" in 2012. Over the past decade, Linda has watched the benefits of her practice become widely accepted by the medical and wellness communities. Her presentations have included Dignity Health, Sutter Health and UC Davis Medical Center, where she currently teaches laughter fitness. As a facilitator for the Sacramento LGBTQ+ Community Center, she created the Center's first Laughter Yoga social group and has led workshops at Sacramento's Pride celebrations. Because Linda considers herself to be a "lifelong live music maniac," her favorite place to share Laughter Yoga is at music festivals. She is an annual workshop presenter at California Worldfest and a Sixthman wellness artist.
Linda is always open to any laughter adventures that cross her path and loves finding ways to make laughter relevant to the lives of her students. Whether she's giving a Dharma talk, leading laughter for medical professionals, teachers, caregivers, dementia and skilled nursing patients, spending a week at a fabulous Sixthman Cancún retreat with Melissa Etheridge and her fans, or even shooting a Skittles commercial with NFL's Marshawn Lynch at a senior community ... she curates a personal and joyful introduction to laughter wellness. And best of all, Laughter Yoga is totally adaptable for all ages and abilities. No mats, poses or physical skills are necessary for this internal yoga workout. Just two simple yogic breaths along with music, acupressure clapping and playful improv laughter exercises to help you access the laughter joy that is inside you, and learn how to use it every day!