Testimonials
Michelle McBride, Head of People and Development, Southern Cross
"The Giggles Laughter Workshops is one of the Seminar Series we run as part of our Wellness Programme at Southern Cross. Hannah has facilitated these seminars at our Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch offices over the last three years. Our employees really enjoy the opportunity to participate in a workshop that is fun and interactive. The opportunity for taking a break and laughing with team mates during the work day, definitely creates a real buzz for our employees and renews energy levels."
Hugh Norriss, Director of Policy and Development, Mental Health Foundation New Zealand
“Hannah is an excellent and very experienced facilitator with strong knowledge of wellbeing principles. Her workshops are fun, interactive and safe, and provide great opportunities for learning. Hannah is recommended by the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand."
Maureen Turnock, Papanui Branch Manager, Child Youth and Family (CF)
"A fantastic workshop and I noted the staff were still talking about it days later. In fact, we started our Wednesday brief with a laughter exercise! The workshop had nothing to improve upon and we would like it again."
Sam Williamson, Local Business Manager
"The Canterbury Local Business Banking team of Westpac NZ recently had the pleasure of taking part in a giggles workshop with Hannah. Despite initial trepidation the team very much enjoyed the experience and had a lot of fun and laughter throughout. Afterward spirits were lifted immeasurably and we all felt great. We would recommend a giggle session to any group looking to have fun, build comradery, relieve stress and reinvigorate."
Jason Donnelly, Regional Customer Services Manager - Southern, Tower Insurance
"Staff are still laughing about the sessions three days later and the atmosphere seems much more relaxed, with staff smiling a lot more. My personal thought is that the sessions were an opportunity to throw off the shackles and to not take ourselves too seriously, but the afterthought is about being able to enjoy yourself, have fun and laugh.
I would recommend these workshops to anyone who is experiencing stress as they are thoroughly enjoyable."
I would recommend these workshops to anyone who is experiencing stress as they are thoroughly enjoyable."
Marcelle du Plessis, Finance Manager, The Press
"We asked Hannah to do a lunchtime session at The Press as part of a series of activities to keep up our spirits in Portocom village, our temporary after-earthquake workplace, and I have to say it was probably the most successful of them all! We laughed until the tears came. It felt strange in the beginning and I worried that maybe we will be the one group who won't laugh ... but Hannah knows just what to do and within 15 minutes we were at it like children. Afterwards it felt like I'd been for a 3 hour walk in the freshest, purest air and I couldn't stop smiling. The people that went to the workshop bonded because of the experience and we now ask "Have you laughed today?", not "Have you heard from the EQC?"!
Hannah's workshop gave me more than a laugh, it gave me hope for a happier world."
Hannah's workshop gave me more than a laugh, it gave me hope for a happier world."
Su McCoy, People, BNZ
"Our team enjoyed the laughter workshop. Hannah's introduction set the scene with a short and informative presentation on the researched health benefits of laughter and then it was straight into the fun and interactive session. Each activity was clearly explained and easy to follow. We had requested a short session but Hannah managed to pack a lot in! The session lifted energy levels noticeably. Great fun!"
Anna Dalzell, Programme Coordinator, Anxiety Support
"Hannah provides informative and highly enjoyable "Laughter for Wellness" workshops for us. I find the workshops a delight. My stress dissipates and my endorphins surge, what a lovely feeling. It is a huge thrill to see our clients laughing and connecting, banishing their anxiety and the barriers it creates. Seeing some of these clients in the following days, and discussing the positive benefits they have continued to enjoy, makes it a thoroughly worthwhile afternoon."
Tony McPherson, Director, Ray White McPherson Group
"Hannah presented a laughter workshop to our Real Estate salespeople, property managers and support team, this was unannounced and part joint meeting. The results were incredible, including the level of participation, belly aching laughter and the positive feedback. Highly recommended, an ideal session for a team like ours, who are dealing with stressed people and situations on a daily basis. Thank you Hannah for showing us, plus reinforcing, the power of laughter."
Peter Coker, Angelman Society
"There is a absolute truth in the saying "laughter is the best medicine". Hannah gave her time to provide the ice breaker at this year's conference of the New Zealand Angelman Society. People from various professions attended the conference including teachers and medical practitioners along with families, carers and angels. It was a most amazing experience that provided, in my view, the best ice breaker that I have ever attended. From the start Hannah had us participating and engaged and pretty soon literally rolling around the floor in laughter. Many people still talk of the fun time we had, describing the experience as heartwarming, relaxing, amazing and inspirational. The enjoyment seen in our young "angel's" eyes was true testimony to the way Hannah was able to engage the diverse group. I would recommend Hannah and Giggle Therapy to anyone."
Jane Bruning, National Coordinator - Positive Women Inc.
"Fake it till you make it" is what Hannah said when she started the session at the HIV+ Women's Retreat in April 2010. And true to her word, it only took a few self conscious "Ho Ho Ha Ha Ha's" before we were rolling around the floor in real belly aching laughter ... some of us laughed till we cried and others sat with expressions of near pain while desperately crossing their legs for fear of wetting themselves ...
At the end of the 90 minute session it was clear to see why laughter is so affective. At times it can be difficult to find things to laugh about when living with something as stigmatising and isolating as HIV so learning techniques such as those shared by Hannah in her Laughter Workshop, enables one to focus on 'the bright side' of life and to experience a sense of fun and joy ...
Thank you Hannah for your warm, bubbly and sensitive approach and for sharing this amazing technique with us ... Highly recommended!"
At the end of the 90 minute session it was clear to see why laughter is so affective. At times it can be difficult to find things to laugh about when living with something as stigmatising and isolating as HIV so learning techniques such as those shared by Hannah in her Laughter Workshop, enables one to focus on 'the bright side' of life and to experience a sense of fun and joy ...
Thank you Hannah for your warm, bubbly and sensitive approach and for sharing this amazing technique with us ... Highly recommended!"
Familial Trust, Graeme and Karen Watson
"In November 2008, the Familial Trust invited The Giggles in to facilitate a laughter workshop for staff and clients of the service. The reaction of both staff and clients was so positive that we decided to offer a weekly laughter session at the Familial Trust. Over the past several months we have seen people who have attended move from an attitude of this is something that I will never do again to I can’t get enough of this. By attending laughter workshops on a regular basis all staff report many benefits both physical and psychological.
In these times of economic recession, laughter yoga is the perfect antidote and we would recommend this form of exercise to anyone young, old, male, female basically if you are able to get to a venue for a laughter yoga session do it.
To any business owners/employers who are looking for an innovative way of breaking the doom and gloom and getting through the winter this is it and we are sure once implemented, laughter workshops will become a regular must do by your staff and clients.
We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our experience with The Giggles and their laughter workshops (0064 (03) 9811-093)."
"In November 2008, the Familial Trust invited The Giggles in to facilitate a laughter workshop for staff and clients of the service. The reaction of both staff and clients was so positive that we decided to offer a weekly laughter session at the Familial Trust. Over the past several months we have seen people who have attended move from an attitude of this is something that I will never do again to I can’t get enough of this. By attending laughter workshops on a regular basis all staff report many benefits both physical and psychological.
In these times of economic recession, laughter yoga is the perfect antidote and we would recommend this form of exercise to anyone young, old, male, female basically if you are able to get to a venue for a laughter yoga session do it.
To any business owners/employers who are looking for an innovative way of breaking the doom and gloom and getting through the winter this is it and we are sure once implemented, laughter workshops will become a regular must do by your staff and clients.
We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our experience with The Giggles and their laughter workshops (0064 (03) 9811-093)."
Amanda Diehl, Head of Selwyn House Pre-School
"Recently our pre-school children and teachers had the opportunity to participate in a laughter workshop with Hannah Airey from The Giggles. The experience for our children and teachers was amazing and we would like to thank Hannah for her well planned and invigorating class which supported our children to further engage with their feelings.Hannah prepared the children for the session by explaining the science behind ‘laughter’ in a child centred way that was informative and easy for both children and adults to understand. We loved the fun activities and the fast pace of the session which ensured our children remained engaged and interested. We all left the session feeling much ‘lighter’ having laughed out any negative feelings we may have been holding onto, leaving us feeling cheerful and relaxed and ready for anything. I would highly recommend 'laughter workshops' for both adults and children. It was lots of fun."
PORSE In-Home Childcare and Educator Training
Kylie Kennedy - Client Service Administrator, Christchurch
"Hannah came to do a team bonding session with our team in the office and it was great! We laughed and laughed, no one was quite prepared for what it was about. We were all surprised how relaxed we were after an hour of non stop laughing!!!
We would all highly recommend laugh yoga as a team get together and a great wind down at the end of a week. Hannah was fantastic, we were all amazed at Hannah's boundless energy and enthusiasm. Thanks Hannah!"
Kylie Kennedy - Client Service Administrator, Christchurch
"Hannah came to do a team bonding session with our team in the office and it was great! We laughed and laughed, no one was quite prepared for what it was about. We were all surprised how relaxed we were after an hour of non stop laughing!!!
We would all highly recommend laugh yoga as a team get together and a great wind down at the end of a week. Hannah was fantastic, we were all amazed at Hannah's boundless energy and enthusiasm. Thanks Hannah!"
