Gap Filler's Cycle Powered Cinema event this Saturday evening as part of the Laughter Wellness Conference
On Saturday 13th September from 8pm until 9pm Gap Filler's Cycle Powered Cinema will be pedaling up a laugh as part of
NZ's first Laughter Wellness Conference "Staying well in times of adversity". Bring a deck chair or have a go at
pedaling. The event is being held on the old Convention Centre site between Peterborough and Kilmore Streets. This event
is free and open to the public.
Over the weekend the Laughter Wellness Conference will have experts presenting on positive psychology, social
connectivity and community engagement, play, mindfulness, stress relief tools and of course, laughter.
“There is a reason why this conference is being held in this city at this time. There's no doubt about it, Cantabrians
have been through a lot over the last four years and will continue to do so, as we rebuild our city, homes, businesses
and lives. We know how to connect with our communities, be positive and tap into our inner strength and we want to
reinforce this and keep it going, through workplaces and the community. Cantabrians are leading the way in positivity
and workplace wellbeing by hosting New Zealand's first Laughter Wellness Conference.” says conference organiser Hannah
Airey, Director of “Workplace Wellbeing”.
“We also want to share our city and show people just how amazing it is. We have an event planned on Saturday evening,
which includes Gap Filler's internationally renowned Dance-O-Mat and Cycle Powered Cinema (www.gapfiller.org.nz), we will also give a brief tour of our city on foot - the best way to see it!”
Airey continues, “Laughter is our body’s natural antidote to stress. When we laugh it stops the fight and flight
response, lowering cortisol and adrenaline levels, increasing endorphins and serotonin. Laughing helps remove stress,
tension and trauma. Laughter is a universal language that dissovles all barriers; age, gender, language, hierarchy,
physical abilities, race, religion, political beliefs.”
Hannah will be speaking, along with:
• Stephen Archer, Mindfulness Training
• Carsten Grimm, Mental Health Foundation
• Coralie Winn, Gap Filler
• Pat Armitstead – the world’s first Joyologist
• Merv Neal, CEO Laughter Yoga Australasia
• Gareth Edwards, Director Positive Thinking
• Linda Woodgate, International life coach
• Lisa Tui Jonathan, Musician
• Olli Ricken, Performer
Tickets and more information are available through www.workplacewellbeing.co.nz. Pre conference workshops and post conference trainings are also available.
Proceeds from the conference will be going to Lotus Community Wellbeing Trust, an organisation dedicated to delivering
wellbeing workshops throughout the community to groups in need.
ENDS