Kristina Emilien

My name is Kristina. Originally from Lithuania, I have been living in Ireland since 2004 and feel deeply grateful to this country and its people. Over the years, I’ve explored many different careers, but the work that has always felt closest to my heart was caring for others—especially in hospitals, nursing homes, and with people with disabilities, witnessed many death. My work helping and supporting others was deeply fulfilling, but like many others in the care sector, I experienced burnout. Witnessing the emotional toll it took not only on myself but on so many carers around me made me pause and re-evaluate my path.
During this time of reflection, I discovered a new way to support others while also nurturing my own wellbeing. In 2023, I founded Laughter Wellness, a service dedicated to helping people reconnect with joy and inner resilience through laughter yoga—a simple, playful practice that combines intentional laughter with deep breathing to release stress, boost energy, and improve overall wellbeing. It’s a powerful tool, especially in today’s fast-paced world where stress and pressure are constant companions. I raised my daughter on my own and
have walked through many stages of grief and personal challenge. These experiences shaped my deep empathy and compassion, and inspired my commitment to be a supportive presence for others—whether through end-of-life companionship, emotional support, or sharing the healing power of laughter.
Now, I truly love what I do. My mission is to give back to society by educating people about one of the most natural and essential sources of health and happiness—laughter. As we grow up, laughter often becomes locked away and conditioned. I help people unlock it again, so they can reconnect with their true selves and rediscover the joy that lives within them.
Though I don’t formally consider myself a doula, I have completed a 5- day doula workshop in 2021and bring deep empathy, compassion, and life experience to the support I offer. I am deeply passionate about walking beside people through challenging moments in their lives, especially during times of illness, vulnerability, or transition.
Over the course of two years, I accompanied and cared for a woman with a terminal illness, supporting her physically, emotionally, and spiritually until the end of her life. That experience profoundly shaped me and confirmed my calling to be a calming, reliable presence for others in difficult times. While I may not yet hold formal certification, my commitment to this work comes from a genuine place of love and service and in these days as I help people to release grief through laughter practices, I have clients that have terminal illnesses and laughter yoga practices help them to get though hard days.