Empowering lives through laughter and play
Hello and Welcome to the site!
Play is important. It is essential for innovation, creativity, and developing social and emotional intelligence. Not only is it fun and freeing to explore different ways of being and acting, it is also a natural instinct in the young and wild when learning new skills.
As a certified Laughter Yoga leader I also know that laughing and taking a playful approach to life is the key to balancing stress and keeping mentally and emotionally healthy- this is true for both children and adults.
I am committed to using play and laughter as practices in my own life and I expect that they will bring me deeper into my own knowing, trust, and authenticity- all by-products of healthy, confident self-expression.
It is my purpose to encourage this work in the world, one group or family at a time.
Along with my great love for leading Laughter Yoga groups in the Boulder area and sharing and expanding my teaching on happiness, I also play with, guide, and nurture kids in being who they are.
Find out more under Childcare about my exceptional nanny services. Let me share my energy, skills, and enthusiasm with you! Thank you for visiting!
Imagine an international community where participants share the universal language of laughter and a vision of health, joy and world peace through laughter. That is the mission of Laughter Yoga.
Laughter Yoga is easy, effective, crosses all social barriers and produces tangible results. As an activity it is purely physical and requires nothing of the mind. Therefore one needn't be funny, be happy, or even have a reason to laugh. There is no jokes or comedy, no politics, no religion, no competitiveness, and it is free and open to the public. The method is adaptable to all ages, backgrounds and physical and mental conditions.
Laughter Yoga is a simple yet powerful technique that uses deep breathing, light stretching, clapping, and playful and fun laughter exercises to increase the mental, emotional, and physical well being of a person. Research has shown that the body does not make a difference between simulated laughter and real laughter and it will produce the same happy chemistry either way. By willingly engaging the body in the physical motions of laughter and "acting happy" it opens up the door to actually being in that state of health and positivity. There is a saying in Laughter Yoga : "fake it until you make it." Through eye contact with others and the infectious nature of laughter, what begins as self-induced laughter exercises in a group setting, easily turns to genuine laughter and playful behavior.
BENEFITS OF LAUGHTER YOGA •Boosts happiness and helps sustain a positive attitude •Helps develop self expression in social settings •Fosters meaningful connections •Improves and alleviates the discomfort of physical challenges •Learn to better manage stress and anger •Relieves sadness and depression •Removes barriers between people• Boosts the immune system •Reduces the release of stress hormones •Releases endorphins, the bodys natural painkillers •Boosts production of serotonin, a natural antidepressant •Fully oxygenates the blood and all major organs •Significantly reduces muscle tension and brings about relaxation. •Moves energy that gets stuck in the body. Laughter is an extremely efficient way to release emotions such as fear, anger, and sadness in a positive way!
Let's All Unite and Get Happy!
Jennifer is a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader and is currently holding a weekly Laughter group in Boulder, CO. She seeks every opportunity to share her enthusiasm for this movement with others- children, adults, elders- and is eager to add her contributions. Please contact her with questions or comments.
Playology means the study of play.Yet the study of play is the subject of serious research. At the National Institute for Play scientists and researchers are committed to understanding the importance of play in human development and its role in life long learning. Having fun while learning and playing for its own sake without fixation on an outcome is the most natural way that creatures- animal and human- interact with the world. The social benefits are well documented and include increased ability to think in flexible and imaginative ways which in turn leads to a greater sense of connectedness and flow.
Kids, as a general rule, are much more natural at releasing what they feel especially when adequately encouraged to play and laugh. With the increased stresses of life however extra care needs to be taken to not overlook this fundamental oreintation that is the basis of concentration, awareness, creativity, and innovation. Play is about interacting with people in different ways. It invites one to let go of rigid notions of how things should be and make room for figuring out how to work with what is there. This is a skill and people (adults and kids alike) who have figured out how to do this have greater feelings of ease, happiness, and competence.
My personal explorations in this field translate into an innate ability to see opportunities and foster childrens own explorations of creative play. I trust both directed and non-directed play. I believe that hovering or giving too much approval is detrimental to a child's developing sense of self as it stifles their natural impulses. I do also believe however that as children journey in explorations of their world that they need us, the caregiver at any given time, to give them feedback and engagement to foster their sense of connection and perspective.
Please visit my webLog for essays, perspecitves and current research by clicking here: Jen's WebLog
Do you have a need for overnight childcare? Do you travel for work or just wish you had the ability to "get away" for a few days knowing that you children were in good hands? I can help. My commitment is to providing a loving, safe, nurturing, and fun environment whether you are away for a day or a week. You can breathe easy knowing that I am providing reliable and experienced care in your absence and that your kids are enjoying a relationship with someone who considers herself a friend, mentor, teacher, and loving guide.
Call me to run "pick up" playgroups of 3-5 children in your home. Coordinate with friends and drop off kids at one location (provided by you) while you run errands, shop, or just take your own time. My time with your children will center around rhymes, storytelling, and loosely structured dramatic play that is based on the work of educator Vivian Paley. I come prepared with a bag of playthings and a repetoire of song and rhyme. 9 am- 12 pm for the under 5 yo crowd. Weekends and after school availability for older children as requested.
I provide flexible, ongoing assistance to support the needs of your family. I welcome hearing about any unusual need or circumstance you may have and look forward to being of assistance. This includes coverage when your usual provider is unavailable, providing visitors to Boulder with temporary childcare during their stay, as well as building ongoing relationships with couples who have date nights, work functions, and special events that they'd like to attend.
Please see About Jenfor more information on me.
Jennifer Lennon has been playing with children ever since she was one. She is a highly competent caregiver who lovingly takes charge while you are away.
Jen is a certified CircusYoga teacher as well as a Laughter Yoga leader. She holds the belief that playing and laughing together are important family values. She has experience with and an appreciation for all ages, and encourages independence, helpfulness, honesty, and listening.
Jen is the youngest of five children and an aunt to 11 nieces and nephews. She has worked as a part-time and full-time nanny since she was herself a teenager and finds that she works well with creative, focused families. Her experience with children ranges from newborn to teenager and includes every age in between.
With children, she is responsive, gentle yet firm, imaginative and fun, and has a repetoire of age appropriate activities, guidance, games, songs, and poetry to share.
Jennifer takes pride in her commitment to honesty and integrity and brings warmth, creativity, and optimism into children's lives. She is intuitive and smart and has been appreciated by parents for being adaptable and easy to be around as well.
Jen was born on April Fools Day in 1974 and has an inexplicable knack for finding 4-leaf clovers. Her mediums of creative play include singing, painting, dancing, improv acting, writing, and performing. And of course, smiling, laughing, and being silly! Also she has no preference between being called Jen or Jennifer.
Jennifer lives in Boulder, Colorado and also enjoys spending time in southern
California as well as the east coast (CT, MA, NY) which is where she is from.
•Easy going and versatile.
•Likeable and responsible.
•Mature and reliable.
•CPR Certified.
•College graduate.
•Great driver; good sense of direction.
•Open to requests, questions, comments.
•Traveled, fun, and experienced!
TESTIMONIALS
Jen has been such an incredible find I hesitate to spread the word about her! In addition to being trustworthy and generous, Jen is prompt to a fault, energetic, and creative with play. She is clearly comfortable with children, knows what they like, and loves to be silly. I highly, highly recommend Jen. -Tara M.
If you are considering Jennifer Lennon for babysitting, thank your lucky stars and hire her! Her innate skills to teach children AND make it fun stayed with my son well past her physical presence. Jennifer also handles emergencies extremely well with the nerves of an EMT and the intuition of a mom. She has become a valued friend of our family. -Christina H.
Below is an excerpt from a thank you note I received after staying with three toddlers for twelve days. I kept a daily log and communicated regularly with a friend of their family.
Jen- Thank you for doing an EXCEPTIONALLY good job with the kids while we were away. We have begun to settle back in and the kids are in excellent health and spirits thanks to you. In general, you should know that you exceeded our expectations with your level of care both of the children and our house (and this is not an easy task.) Thank you for your dedication and commitment. We sincerely appreciate it. -Caroline C.
Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing...Peace begins with a smile. ~Mother Teresa
The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct.
~Carl JungSwiss psychoanalyst 1875-1961
At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities.
~Jean Houston
I cultivate positive, supportive connections with children and their families through play, clear communication, and a joyful attitude. If you would like to establish a relationship with a trustworthy, reliable adult, I invite you to contact me.
I also enjoy every opportunity to facilitate Laughter Yoga circles with adults and would be delighted to lead one in your home or other group setting at any time.
Please send me a direct message at the email below or call me at 617-308-7030. I would be happy to discuss your needs with you. Thank you for visiting!
Send email to: jen_jenlennon.com
This is a list of resources that inform my work. Please click on the links for more information.
The American Journal of Play www.journalofplay.org
The National Institute of Play www.nifplay.org
International Society for Humor Studies www.hnu.edu/ishs
Laughter Yoga International www.laughteryoga.org
American School of Laughter Yoga www.laughteryogaamerica.com
CircusYoga www.circusyoga.com
Applied Improv Network www.appliedimprov.com
Speaking Circles International www.speakingcircles.com
Non-violent Communication www.cnvc.org
Shambhala Meditation Center www.shambhala.org
