About Toni

As a computer programmer, I always wore a unique hue of “techy” - I craved social interaction and collaboration.

And outside of work, being with animals (ok, dogs mostly) and kids infused my life with a special kind of joy. Why? Because being goofy and sharing laughter is invigorating. Kids have a natural affinity for simply enjoying life.

Did you know that kids laugh 30-40 times more per day than adults? And did you realize that the four elements of joy — playing, dancing, laughing, and singing — are perfectly embodied by these little ones? Kids truly have it figured out. And Dogs? All they do is play (and eat)! And you could argue that they also smile, laugh, dance and sing as well!

Finding Laughter Yoga

After a rough number of years, where I wasn't laughing or playing much at all, I started to live again. Grappling with what to do next, I sent this question through an Artificial Intelligence program:

“I want to dance, laugh, play and bring joy to others. What can I do for a living?”

The AI’s response included:

“Become a laughter yoga instructor.”

A WHAT?!? How did I not already know about this? I immediately started researching and found Dr. Kataria - the founder of Laughter Yoga International. As I was absorbing as much as I could from the website, I noticed there was a laughter session coming up…in three minutes! I hopped on and was hooked. Laughter was the last piece in the puzzle. It brightened everything. Over the following months, my smile returned, the cloud lifted, and the lingering shadows of my depression and anxiety melted away.

It is now my goal to bring this light to others. 💙

Finding Emotional Freedom (EFT)

During that same period where “I wasn't laughing or playing much at all”, I had been trying anything and everything to pull myself out of the emotional pit that I had fallen into. “General Tapping” helped in the moment, but it wasn't the silver bullet that you see in the movies. I wanted the silver bullet (don’t we all?).

Out of nowhere (universe anyone?), I was presented with an opportunity to train to be a Clinical EFT practitioner. I wasn’t even sure what “Clinical” meant when I attended the informational session but I was interested enough to attend. Turns out, it was exactly what I didn’t know I was searching for.

The certification program allowed me to learn the science behind the technique and why working with a practitioner is so much more effective. I learned from masters in the field. Clinical EFT was, and continues to be, a huge part of my healing journey.

Now, I am eager to share this amazing energy technique with others.

Your Smiling Soul

Your Smiling Soul is the result - a practice that promotes joy and healing through laughter and energy techniques.

The hummingbird logo was an evolution. I was sitting outside journaling and trying to draw what I thought I wanted - an abstract yoga sitting person with a glowing heart.

This hummingbird started buzzing around my head, back forth, then literally hovered two inches from my face. It wasn’t the first time he had buzzed around me, but it was the first time he got that close for so long. For minutes, I sat completely still locking eyes and enjoying the experience. After he flew away, I grabbed my phone and looked up "hummingbird symbolism and meaning".

Joy, healing, happiness, and the pursuit of dreams. Um. WOW.

He was saying "Pick me! Pick me! Listen up, pick me!". These little guys embody my goals for this practice and are now part of my spirit animal "pack".

Toni has truly found her calling, and we are all so blessed by her journey! Her laughter yoga classes have brought me so much joy -- and my husband and I often use snippets from them when we need a mood booster. And her private EFT tapping sessions have been a powerful support through some pretty stressful events and decisions. Toni has deep empathy, wisdom and lightness. I wholeheartedly recommend her services to anyone seeking more joy, clarity and emotional resilience in their life.

- Susanna, Seattle WA