About


(Mobile Phone Laugh – World Laughter Day 2023)

Hello – I am Maggie Thompson and ‘Merrie Maggie’ is the name I deliver Laughter Yoga under.  I live in Stourbridge in the West Midlands.

I am a member of Laughter Association UK   http://www.laughterassociation.co.uk. 

This organisation started in 2017 and supports the work of Laughter Yoga leaders, Laughter Yoga teachers, Laughter therapists and other Laughter Professionals.

I am also recognised as an Accredited Laughter Yoga Teacher with the Federation of Holistic Therapists (through UnitedMind Ltd)

WHAT INSPIRED ME TO GET INVOLVED WITH LAUGHTER YOGA? 

In around 2008 or 2009 I attended a Laughter Yoga workshop that I facilitated for exercise tutors delivering to older people Whilst I worked for Age UK Dudley through my role as LEAP Over 50 Project Co-ordinator.

Luckily, I attended the training myself and was in for a treat! Being easily prone to giggling, I launched myself at the routines during the workshop and discovered that it is easier to ‘laugh for no reason’ than a lot of people think.

For me, that one experience was my ‘lightbulb moment’ and has led me along an incredible path of joyful discovery.  Not only feeling the health and wellbeing benefits from a daily practice of Laughter Yoga but also becoming part of a loving, caring, laughing community around the world.

In 2010 I trained to become a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader and three years later upgraded my qualification to Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher – both through http://www.unitedmind.co.uk/ .  I ran my first Laughter Yoga Leader training in 2016 and have now trained 34 people a Certified Laughter Yoga Leaders.

I retired from Age UK Dudley in January 2014 so that I could concentrate on Laughter Yoga.

In June 2014 I attended the Advanced Laughter Yoga Training in Manchester delivered by Dr Madan Kataria – the founder of the Laughter Yoga Movement, which is worldwide.  It was a real privilege to be taught by him and to hear his plans for the future of the Laughter Yoga University.

I have since attended:

  • Laughter Conference at St Albans in 2015
  • Laughter Conference and Festival at Cabourne Parva (North Lincolnshire) in 2016.
  • Laughter Conference and Festival at Cabourne Parva (North Lincolnshire) in 2017.
  • Global Laughter Conference (Frankfurt) 2017
  • Laughter Yoga Open Day (Birmingham 2017) – Organiser
  • The Playing Human Conference (London) 2018
  • UnitedMind Laughter Yoga Teachers Reunion (Hemel Hempstead) 2019
  • The Joy Conference (Bristol) 2019
  • UnitedMind Laughter Yoga Teachers Reunion – 2022 and 2024

In April 2017, Dr Madan Kataria awarded me Laughter Ambassador for promoting Laughter Yoga.  I feel deeply humbled and privileged to receive this award and will continue to devote my energy to raising awareness of Laughter Yoga.

During the Covid epidemic I joined a team with three other Laughter Yoga teachers to run daily Laughter Yoga sessions through Zoom.  It was a lifesaver for many people who felt so isolated by the constrictions of not being able to meet relatives and friends in person during this time.  The Zoom sessions became so successful that I continue to run  a weekly Thursday afternoon session.

I currently run several monthly Laughter Yoga ‘clubs – in-person and via zoom.  I also run a  monthly walk and Laughter Yoga combined session at different local parks. Click the link for my Laughter Yoga events / dates page