Keep clowning around

Doris Bensmiller spends a lot of her time just clowning around.

But considering her hobby, that's a good thing.

Bensmiller is a member of the Kalamalka Caring Klowns and she is calling on other like-minded people to get in on the act.

The KCK will be holding a clown workshop Nov. 5-6 at Vernon Jubilee Hospital and participants learn a lot more than just how to put on make up and make silly faces.

“It's not only teaching you about clowning – because we do not teach how to make clown animal balloons, but we do teach you listening skills, how humour affects you both physically and psychologically,” said Bensmiller who has been acting like a clown for years.

“It's a life-teaching skill on communication. It's also a good workshop for people who are grieving because they come out and learn it's OK to laugh again, it's OK to move on.”

Bensmiller said many of the people who take the course do not go on to be clowns, but they do apply what they have learned to their personal and business lives.

And sometimes, being silly just might be a cure for what ails you.

Bensmiller said participants leave with a sense of well being.

“Sometimes it's hard to get that feeling,” she said. “We try to teach them it's OK to laugh; it's OK to be a kid again. You always were taught be quiet, don't act so silly, but as you grow older you realize laughter is so important to you. If you learn to laugh at yourself, it's so much easier to get on in life.”

The two-day course costs $125 and participants must register in advance online or by calling Bensmiller at 250-546-6396.

Photo: Darren Handschuh