About UnitedMind, Lotte Mikkelsen, Laughter Yoga
– the training and workshop company, and Laughter Yoga Training Centre
Laughter Yoga first appeared in 1995 when a Medical Doctor introduced the combination of playful laughter and deep breathing techniques. Since then Laughter Yoga has swept the world and now has a presence in more than 100 countries.
UnitedMind LtdUnitedMind was founded in 2002 and since then has delivered a large number of training courses and workshops to individuals and organisations in both public and private sectors. The core of UnitedMind’s work is empowering people to embrace positive change and communication. The vision of the company is to enrich people’s lives through laughter and joyfulness by providing a holistic platform for anyone to benefit from regardless of background, age, ability or perspective. MilestonesIn 2007 UnitedMind’s training programme took off and since then the company has become one of the most popular Laughter Yoga Training providers in the UK. There are many Laughter Professionals in the country offering laughter training but only few with the background and experience that is brought to the table by Lotte Mikkelsen and UnitedMind. In 2008 UnitedMind founded the Telephone Laughter Club as a means to offer a life changing service to people across the UK. People dial in Monday to Friday at 7 in the morning to laugh for a full 10 minutes in order to harvest the full benefits of laughter. The story behind The Telephone Laughter Club is available to read on the UnitedMind website. In 2009 UnitedMind became the number one provider of Laughter Yoga Leader Training in the UK with the highest number of newly trained Laughter Yoga Leaders venturing into the market of therapeutic laughter across the country. In 2010 UnitedMind joined forces with The Regency Training Foundation, a local charity, to provide training programmes for the community in order to combat social exclusion. In 2011 UnitedMind teamed up with communications experts, Sole Developers, in North-East England to provide transformational communication workshops based on Gibberish and Laughter techniques – a unique way of empowering individuals as well as teams in sales department, management floors, marketing etc. In 2012 UnitedMind became the first company in the UK to offer the Laughter Yoga Teacher training, previously only taught by Dr. Madan Kataria and appointed Master Trainers in the US. The Laughter Yoga University development in Bangalore is requiring Dr. Kataria’s focus and attention and he is training and appointing key-people around the world to facilitate the Laughter Yoga Teacher Training. In the UK the training is solely delivered by Lotte Mikkelsen of UnitedMind. In 2013 UnitedMind extended the Laughter Yoga programmes with a new and unique Laughter Therapy Facilitator Training, The Psychology of Laughter. This new programme focuses on the physhological aspects of laughter and brings in the physiology of laughter from a different angle than that of Laughter Yoga. UnitedMind decided to extend the reach of The Laughter Club International (UK) and in 2013 arrangements were made to secure venues in both St. Albans and Peterlee for the expansion. In 2014 UnitedMind organised the Advanced Training Day for Laughter Yoga Professionals with the Founders of Laughter Yoga International being the teachers for the day. The training day on 7 June kicked off the UK Laughter Festival. Furthermore, UnitedMind organised the Laughter Flashmob in London together with Laughterlines Coaching. In 2015 another milestone for UnitedMind was laid as the company organised the 20th Anniversary Laughter Yoga Conference in the UK. With international speakers and delegated from around the world attending this 3-day event. In addition, the first Laughter Yoga Professionals’ meeting for planning and improving services in the UK was launched in London. In early 2016 UnitedMind formed two new alliances. The first brick was laid in the work with Retune London who offers corporate well-being awaydays, and UnitedMind is thrilled to be offering the laughter workshops on their programmes. Another alliance was formed with Feel Hot Yoga in Hertfordshire. With studios in Watford and St. Albans Feel Hot Yoga aims to bring Laughter Yoga to their clients as well as non-yoga residents in Hertfordshire. It was a great privilege to be accepted as a Corporate Member of ISMA (International Stress Management Association) and UnitedMind is excited about the opportunity this brings to the market of therapeutic laughter. The Laughter Therapist Training programme has been in the making for almost a decade and in 2016 it was launched after having received accreditation station with WCI (World Certification Institute). It was first week of January and already 2017 was sprouting with new laughter-related activities. UnitedMind formed a new workshop delivery relationship with The Vital Touch who provides workplace wellbeing services. 1st January 2017 also saw the launch of Laughter Association UK which is a members organisation initiated by Lotte Mikkelsen in response to Laughter Colleagues’ request for networking and for standards in a business space that is still new. 2017 has been the year when UnitedMind organised a workshop day in London with the REAL Patch Adams, MD, and UK Clown Doctor Pady O’Conner. A key-event in the UK! New alliances were formed with Run Yoga Run and Joyful Living. Working together to bring health and wellness to workplaces in London and the South of England. 2018 has started with lots of laughter as we formed a new alliance with event company HEAPS + STACKS who work with high profile clients in London. UnitedMind provides workshops, training, seminars and holistic therapies that make a difference to people and organisations. Clients include organisations in the following sectors
Comments from past workshop attendees can be viewed on the Testimonies page. UnitedMind work in accordance with the current legislation outlined by the government in order to comply with requirements for working with the public sector as well as private organisations, vulnerable adults and young people. All of UnitedMind’s policies and procedures are available on request, these include
Our continuity and strategy planning follows the guidelines set out by the British Standards. Furthermore, UnitedMind is registered with the Information Commisioner’s Office (ICO) who outlines handling and safequarding of personal data, and data protection. When you enquire to UnitedMind you will be added to our mailing list and you can opt our any time you wish. UnitedMind Ltd. is registered at Companies House registration number 6397996. Laughter Yoga (UK) Ltd. is registered at Companies House registration number 07691141. |
Lotte MikkelsenLotte’s experience comes from more than 20 years of working for national and international corporations mainly in the IT sector. Through her work in technical, sales and marketing environments she has gained experience in dealing with people and stress at all levels in any organisation. MilestonesIn 2002 Lotte completed her training as Holistic Therapist specialising in Reflexology, Reiki Healing, Crystal Healing and Personal Laughter for health and well-being. She founded UnitedMind in April 2002 as a laughter and holistic therapy providing organisation. From early 2003 Lotte ran a daily laughter session on the phone with a friend and Laughter Colleague. The background for this experiment was to fully experience and understand the benefits of laughter for no reason in order to promote the techniques to the general public and start transforming communities based on health, happiness and well-being. Since mid-2003 Lotte has facilitated laughter workshops for team building, stress management, improved communication, motivation and confidence boosting. She has trained individuals and teams within organisations as Laughter Yoga Leaders and is, to date, the most successful Laughter Yoga Leader Training Teacher in the UK. In 2005 the Laughter Club International celebrated its first anniversary. Running a laughter club is an adventure that requires perseverence and stamina when scepticism is the top of the agenda. However, the years have shown that it is a worthwhile pursuit that makes a true difference to people who engage in laughter. In 2006 Lotte was appointed Laughter Ambassador by Dr. Madan Kataria (Founder of the International School of Laughter Yoga) because of her work in promoting laughter for improving health and wellbeing throughout the UK. The appointment in 2012 of Lotte Mikkelsen as Laughter Yoga Master Trainer for the UK is a great honour and a real quality mark on her abilities as Laughter Yoga Teacher and Facilitator. After succesfully spreading Laughter Yoga and teaching the techniques for more than 10 years it has been the next natural step on the journey to inspire positive and lasting change through laughter and joy. In 2013 the UK saw a rise in the number of Laughter Yoga Teachers who started teaching the 2-day Laughter Yoga Leader Programme. Through her persistence and never-ending focus on bringing Laughter Yoga into the British households more than 60% of the newly trained teachers successfully started their training programmes within less than six months of their own training. Lotte aims to support and coach each teacher and leader who ventures through UnitedMind’s training programmes. Being a Mumpreneur Award Finalist was another great highlight in 2013 when the ongoing support she provides saw her entered in the category of Best Interactive Business. In 2014 Lotte expanded on her activities in the North-East of England bringing renewed focus to the region in terms of spreading Laughter Yoga for health and happiness. Whilst being based in the North-East adds more activities in this area it certainly also has meant an increase in Lotte’s workload and efforts in the South-East of England. In 4th quarter of 2015 Lotte became a co-founder of the Business Expert Group was established with high-profile members to provide professional business services. The group serves as a mentoring and business coaching team for professionals who wish to launch a serious business based on Laughter Yoga and Therapy. 2016 was a year of upheaval in many ways but also a year showing that Lotte Mikkelsen is the Laughter Yoga Master Trainer not to be dismissed. With market changes following political choices it was a real challenge to keep up with financial concerns. Yet, there was an increase in the number of people who came to train as Laughter Yoga Leaders, Teachers or Therapists with Lotte. A full-featured solidification of Laughter Yoga in the UK. 2017 began with a real tribute from Boots Health and Beauty Magazine. A magazing that reaches millions of readers across the UK. Lotte laughter coached Robyn, a freelance journalist writing for Boots’ magazine and the story is out there! In September 2017 Lotte launched her personal website Lotte Mikkelsen – Your Everyday Laughter Queen to celebrate the wonderful in all the laughs she has shared and has yet to share. Lotte is a laughter force of nature and any organisation would benefit from a consultation with her yet more from working long-term with her in bringing laughter into any organisation, community or workplace in the country. 2018 began with a BarclayCard 31 Day Challenge given to Giovanna Fletcher, on Day-2 she tried Laughter Yoga with Lotte. Pladis Global took Laughter Yoga onboard as part of their Mental Health Pledge and kicked if off on Blue Monday, 15 January, together with Lotte. Laughter Yoga is for everyone and connects the whole of the UK in a healthy way that allows for people to experience personal and professional growth at work and at home through adding the therapeutic benefits of laughter to their own lives and the lives of others. Lotte has been an Affiliate Member of the Society for Training and Education (former Institute for Learning) since 2010, and is Affiliated to the Dr. Kataria International University of Laughter Yoga. She is also a Member of Guild of Holistic Therapists, and a Member of Society of Holistic Therapists and Coaches. Furthermore, UnitedMind is a Corporate Member of ISMA (International Stress Management Association). Lotte’s ambition is to make Laughter Yoga and therapeutic laughter available to everyone. Her compassion combined with her passion drives her work along with a meticulous delivery based on the deepfelt desire to make a difference in the world. Today, she offers a broad palette of corporate services for wellbeing and happiness of individuals and organisations. Comments from past course attendees as well as workshop delegates, Laughter Club and Telephone Laughter Club participants can be viewed on the Testimonies page. Certifications and Memberships
Continued Professional Development (CPD) is key to innovative training and delivery. |