What people are saying
From clinicians, corporate teams, and community groups to the students and participants in her classes — the response to Gigi's sessions, in their own words.
What Organizations & Partners Say
Clinicians, companies, universities, and community groups
Dr. Otálvaro's laughter yoga sessions create an inviting space where approachability and genuine warmth enable all to feel at ease. She embodies a rare blend of passion, knowledge, wisdom, and deep compassion, infusing her sessions with levity while still offering meaningful, restorative guidance and space for healing.Jamie Alexis Cohen, Psy.D.Clinical Psychologist, Psycho-Oncology Service, University of California-San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
We've run several workshops with Gigi for our fully remote, global team — and every single one has been fantastic. She's incredibly flexible, bringing creativity and energy to sessions that are always engaging and thoughtfully tailored to our needs. The feedback from our team is consistently glowing — many say these are the best workshops they've ever attended. Come with an open mind, and you'll walk away feeling refreshed and energized. Truly an amazing group experience — can't recommend it enough!Hannah KasabySenior Director of Business Operations, Carry1st (#1 Games Publisher in Africa)
Gigi's workshop at Dropbox was such a breath of fresh air — playful, grounding, and calming. I left feeling more connected to myself and my coworkers, with simple tools I can use whenever I need a reset. Gigi was engaging and very informative. I hope to host another company session with her in the future!Amantina RossiEngineer at Dropbox
Gigi brought laughter yoga to our multi-generational women's retreat at First Congregational Church of Palo Alto, pulling us all into playful, joyful community with our minds, our bodies, and with one another. We had come to the retreat to connect and to share, and Gigi helped us keep our minds young while learning new things. It was the perfect beginning, middle and end of our time together.Winifred ErnstFirst Congregational Church of Palo Alto, Retreat Co-Organizer
Gigi has a magical way of breaking down barriers. She guides the group with such warmth and playfulness that even the most awkward exercises — like fake laughter turning into real belly laughs — feel natural. The combination of deep breathing, childlike play, and group energy left me feeling joyful, energized, and profoundly calm after. This is by far the most fun yoga class I had at InnerSeed.Junlin ChenCOO & Board Member, Inner Seed Foundation | Healing & Meditation
Gigi is a one-of-a-kind teacher who is able to encompass her academic knowledge and training with her creative joyful spirit. She brings enthusiastic fun to her classes with a flair for inclusion that puts everyone at ease. She is an inspiration and one of the best!Teresa Corrigan, RN, MAIntegrative Laughter Yoga Teacher, UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health
What Participants Say
Students and participants from Gigi's Stanford and UCSF offerings
Gigi's Laughter and Flow course is a delicious combination of graceful, meditative movements and hearty, healthy laughter. You will leave this class appreciating the power of breath and movement. The most fabulous outcome is that you find yourself laughing each day, for practice(!), and regularly gathering qi to feed your body and soul. The end result of this 4-week class is an overwhelming feeling of calmness and connection.Kim JohnsonParticipant, “Movement, Breath, and Play” — UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health
Laughter yoga is incredible. It's the best practice I’ve found for boosting my mood and quality of life. Gigi is a kind, earnest, unique, and playful instructor. I couldn’t recommend her enough.Henry WengFormer Stanford student — Laughter Yoga (Computer Science Major)
Maria Valentina Chirinos PenaFormer Stanford student — Laughter Yoga & Qigong (Human Biology Major)Through Laughter Yoga, I developed greater self-compassion using the diverse healing practices Gigi introduced. I continue to carry that compassion with me, and the experience has made it easier to extend the same understanding to others. Something I know will be invaluable as a future physician.
Qigong introduced me to approaches to healing rooted in cultures different from my own Venezuelan background. Learning about these traditions broadened my understanding of well-being and will help me become a more open-minded, culturally responsive healthcare provider.
Jana Rickerson, LCSWParticipant, “Movement, Breath, and Play” — UCSF Osher Center for Integrative HealthI had tried Chi Gong over 20 years ago and when I saw this class being offered, I didn’t know Gigi and I’m so glad I took her class. She was very warm, inviting, and made things accessible to all levels in the class. As a teacher, she’s very kind and engaged with all the students. Although I couldn’t do every practice in the class due to some physical challenges, the things I was able to do always left me with more energy, more joy in my heart, and my body feeling good from all the movement. Gigi never pushed us beyond the boundaries of what we could do.
Ready to experience it yourself?
Free online laughter yoga with Dr. Giggles, plus an Introduction to Qigong workshop on December 20.
See upcoming classes →