How to Lighten Up Your Conference with Laughter Yoga
November 1, 2019
Following an insightful session on leadership at IMEX, I was surprised to see a woman in a white doctor’s coat enter the room. “Everyone, stand up!” she said. Oh, great, I thought to myself — is this going to be one of those awkward, “go introduce yourself to someone new” activities? It turned out to be something much more fun.
Sarah Routman, founder of the company Laugh Healthy and a self-proclaimed “laugh doctor,” proceeded to lead our group in a new-to-me kind of exercise: laughter yoga. We practiced forced laughter, pretended to toss an imaginary laughing emoji up in the air, focused on our breathing through laughter and ended up actually laughing, quite hysterically, from all the antics. I think everyone in the room felt lighter after our five minutes with Routman were up.
They say that laughter is contagious, but Routman teaches that it’s also good for your health. She’s been trained as a certified laughter yoga instructor (yes, that’s a real thing!), and has also trained in Reiki and reflexology. A former school teacher, Routman now travels the country hosting laughter yoga sessions at events for companies from Hyatt to Cigna to Best Buy.
Laughter yoga was coined by a doctor from India named Madan Kataria, aka “The Laughter Guru,” based on science that shows laughter is healthy. The body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter, says Dr. Kataria, so you enjoy the same physiological and psychological benefits — such as a reduction in blood pressure, a drop in stress levels and a more positive outlook on life — from both kinds. “What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul,” reads an old Yiddish proverb.
You can’t help but smile being in the presence of Routman for even a few minutes, even before she begins her techniques for sparking chuckles. Event planners can work with her to lead workshops ranging from three minutes (perfect to kick off or end an educational session, as she did at IMEX) to one hour, for groups as large as 1,000 people.
The best part about laughter yoga? It requires zero skill, equipment or workout clothing (meaning there are few reasons attendees could say no!). Routman has recently been featured at The National Wellness Conference, The Minnesota Hospice and Palliative Care Conference and The American Association of Orthopaedic Executives Conference.
If you’re curious about laughter yoga and how Routman leads sessions, sign up for her free laughter call that takes place at 9AM CST every Monday morning. Talk about a great way to start the week!
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
Add new comment