Live classes offered online and in person, blending qigong — meditative movement rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine — with the joyful, contagious practice of laughter yoga. Other offerings integrate contemplative dance practices, as well as theater improv and performance. Taught by Gigi Otálvaro, PhD.
Offered through the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health
This class is the antidote: two hours a week of gentle movement, deep breath, and genuine, out-loud joy. You'll leave feeling looser, lighter, and more like yourself.
Movement, Breath, and Play
A 4-week course offered through the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health
First: qigong. Slow, flowing "movement meditation" that cultivates energy and calm — you'll learn practices like drawing down the heavens.
Then: laughter yoga. Intentional laughter combined with yogic breathing. No poses, no mats, no jokes required — laughter as exercise. And yes, it becomes real.
Sometimes the two weave together. Everything can be done standing or seated, at your own pace, with zero performance pressure.
Gigi's demonstration for this course — UCSF Osher Center
Loosely translated as energy cultivation — a movement meditation rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Slow, flowing exercises like drawing down the heavens: connect to the force of the earth, the force of the sky, and wash that energy down the body.
Distinct from the postural practice of yoga — it combines intentional laughter exercises with yogic breathing. No poses, no jokes required: laughter as a practice, and in a group it turns real fast. Very good, very good — yay!
These two practices are highly synergistic: they help us relax, find joy in our bodies, build emotional resilience — and in that process, support the body's ability to heal itself. Both are contemplative and joyful.
"When you come back to your body, there's so much relief."— Gigi Otálvaro, in the Stanford Daily (opens in new tab) (April 2025)
Join Dr. Giggles for the free online laughter yoga classes offered through the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health on October 8, October 22, November 12, and December 17.
The class meets on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. Pacific, with rotating instructors.
Register (opens in new tab)Sunday, December 20 · 9:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Pacific
Gigi will be offering an online introduction to qigong half-day workshop, teaching the YOQI® method, through the tuition-based program at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health.
More details and registration coming soon!
Exercises can be done from a chair. You're encouraged to practice however your body prefers.
Yes — Gigi's classes are designed for beginners. No experience is required, everything is self-paced, and there's no expectation to perform or keep up.
Sessions are live. All you need is a laptop or tablet, a little room to move — or a sturdy chair — and a willingness to play.
Everyone thinks so for about ninety seconds. The body doesn't distinguish intentional laughter from spontaneous laughter — and in a group, intentional turns real fast. (Ho ho, ha-ha-ha.)
The online laughter yoga classes are free. For tuition-based classes at the UCSF Osher Center, the Osher Community Care Fund offers free access for those who qualify, and discounts are available for UC affiliates. Details are on each registration page.
Join Gigi's list — be first to hear about the next class, plus occasional breath, movement, and (yes) laughter practices you can try at home. No spam — promise.