International Humor Organization Heads to Orlando for its 24th Annual Conference.

Feb. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- Humor is a serious business, often medically necessary, and a time-honored teaching tool.  Humor reduces stress, makes learning easier, and often contributes to the process of healing.  

The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH) is an international community of professionals who incorporate humor into their daily lives.  AATH is the leader in providing evidence-based information about current research and practical applications of humor. AATH is both a personable network and a resource for humor and laughter authorities and enthusiasts. Our membership is occupationally diverse, representing the medical, education and public speaking communities.
 
People from all over the world are expected to meet in Orlando, Florida for AATH’s 24th annual conference, April 7 – 10 2011, at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa, to acquire the wealth of knowledge available and experience the amazing community of kindred spirits who understand that healthy humor really is the best medicine. The AATH Conference will assemble a wide variety of professionals who incorporate humor and laughter into their lives and work, people committed to humor and laughter, scholars and researchers who study humor and laughter, and all who feel they would benefit from this organization. Humor and laughter are used to enhance work performance, support learning, improve health and as a coping tool.

The 2011 conference will provide ways to learn how humor and laughter can improve your health, your productivity, your ability to learn, and most importantly, your happiness!

Hear from THE experts in humor, laughter, positive psychology, and Psychonueroimmunology:
   Dr. Lee Berk - Associate Professor of Health Promotion and Education, School of Public Health and Associate Research Professor of Pathology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University.
   Stanley A. Tan - MD, MPH, MS, PhD, DTM&H, FACE, FCCP. Laughter is the Best Medicine, Scientific Evidences
   Earl R. Henslin, Psy.D. -  MFT, B.C.E.T.S, licensed counselor, former faculty member at the Rosemead Graduate School of Psychology at Biola University
   Gina Barreca - Deemed a “feminist humor maven” by Ms. Magazine. Gender Differences in Humor.
   Dr. Paul McGhee - Pioneer in humor research and has laid the groundwork for the current interest in the health benefits of humor. He has published over 50 scientific articles and 13 books on humor.
   Dr. Bill Fry - Psychiatrist and Professor Emeritus of Stanford University School of Medicine. He is also a recognized humor researcher and perhaps the most influential person to effect the growth and development of therapeutic humor over the last 50 years. Secrets of Stress
   Kathleen Passanisi, PT, CSP, CPAE, AATH Past-President, Hall of Fame Speaker, Humorist & Author
   Steven M. Sultanoff, Ph.D. - Psychologist, professor, professional speaker, past AATH president, and mirthologist.
   Hob Osterlund, R.N. –a pain and palliative care clinical nurse specialist working with an astounding team of professionals at The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu. What’s a Laugh Got to Do With It?
   Madan Kataria, M.D. with Jeffrey Briar - a medical doctor who began the Laughter Club concept in Mumbai (Bombay) India in March of 1995.  Laughter Yoga: Health, Happiness and World Peace through Laughter
   Cy Eberhart - a retired hospital chaplain, became interested in “the serious side of humor” in 1963. Will Rogers’ America: Road to Civility


Network with leading researchers, scholars, speakers, authors, and professionals who use the power of humor to transform their careers and their lives.  This year promises to be a year like no other—in addition to the usual incredible speakers and entertainers, and in addition to the wealth of contact hours available, entering its second incredible year —you can earn 3 graduate credits through the AATH Humor Academy!  Join people come from around the world (last year there were 15 countries represented!) to acquire the wealth of knowledge available and experience the amazing community of kindred spirits who understand that healthy humor really is the best medicine.

AATH is still accepting sponsorships for the conference, with many great benefits!

Early Bird registration discount until February 21st!!

The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor was founded in 1987) by Alison R.  Crane, RN. AATH is a non-profit professional organization that advances the understanding and application of humor and laughter for their positive benefits.  AATH provides and disseminates information about applied and therapeutic humor through conferences, publications, a website, and networking to a community from a wide variety of clinical, corporate, and classroom settings. Members include scholars, psychologists, counselors, allied healthcare practitioners, nurses, social workers, physicians, business executives, human resource managers, educators, clergy, hospital clowns, speakers, trainers, and others who incorporate humor in their work. Further information can be found at http://www.aath.org.

What is therapeutic humor?

Therapeutic Humor is any intervention that promotes health and wellness by stimulating a playful discovery, expression or appreciation of the absurdity or incongruity of life’s situations.

This intervention may enhance health or be used as a complementary treatment of illness to facilitate healing or coping, whether physical, emotional, cognitive, social or spiritual.

Who can belong to AATH?

AATH welcomes anyone who is interested in learning more about the application and benefits of therapeutic humor.

Why was AATH created?

•   to educate health care, business, and education professionals about the values and therapeutic uses of humor and laughter.

•   to develop, promote, conduct, and identify the need for research that further investigates the roles humor and laughter play in well-being.

•   to encourage, support, and report on innovative programs that incorporate the therapeutic use of humor.

•   to disseminate information about humor and laughter to its members through regular publications and educational opportunities.

•   to function as an interdisciplinary network for its members.

•   to be a clearinghouse for information on humor and laughter as they relate to well-being.


AATH Contact:
Jerry Packer or Ian Feigelman, AATH, 65 Enterprise Aliso Viejo, CA 92656.  
Phone: 888-747-AATH (2284) Toll Free 949-715-4681 International 949-715-6931 Fax
E-mail: staff@aath.org   http://www.aath.org.

Press Contact:
Roberta Gold, Laughter for the Health of it, 818-726-6801 laf4u@sbcglobal.net

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About the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, it was founded in 1987) by Alison R. Crane, RN. AATH is a non-profit professional organization that advances the understanding and application of humor and laughter for their positive benefits. AATH provides and disseminates information about applied and therapeutic humor through conferences, publications, a website, and networking to a community from a wide variety of clinical, corporate, and classroom settings. Members include scholars, psychologists, counselors, allied healthcare practitioners, nurses, social workers, physicians, business executives, human resource managers, educators, clergy, hospital clowns, speakers, trainers, and others who incorporate humor in their work. Further information can be found at http://www.aath.org.