Today we’d like to introduce you to Celeste Greene.
Celeste, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey with laughter started in the midst of the recession of the late 2000s. Over the course of three days, I was laid off from my job, I was in a bad car accident, and to top it off, I was dumped. I needed to laugh.
I had performed as an improv comic when I was in college but I didn’t know how to just laugh. So, I turned to the internet for inspiration and stumbled upon Laughter Yoga.
I learned that both genuine and simulated laughter both bring about important health benefits. I started laughing alone and was amazed at the impact of laughter in my own life. So, I started facilitating Laughter Yoga sessions with companies and other groups.
For over a decade I have facilitated interactive presentations that enable groups to experience simple, scientifically validated strategies for feeling better. And it’s changed my life too. I’m a happier, more carefree person because of laughter. Laughter helps life’s upsets roll off the back.
My extensive work laughing with older adults inspired me to complete my Master of Arts in Gerontology at Georgia State University in 2014. During my tenure at GSU, I developed the LaughActive Group Exercise Program for Seniors. We did a rigorous evaluation looking at the program’s efficacy and the study was published in a peer-reviewed journal.
In 2017, Dr. Madan Kataria, the founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement, awarded me the prestigious Laughter Ambassador distinction for my outstanding work in the field.
I host a twice-weekly free Laughter Yoga Club on Zoom. Come and laugh with me: https://celestegreenelaughs.com/free-online-laughter-classes/
It’s been a fun ten years laughing and I look forward to many more.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been a smooth road. The pandemic initially hurt my business when the jobs I had booked were canceled due to Covid 19. I started offering Laughter Yoga sessions on Zoom and discovered that Laughter Yoga really holds up on Zoom and I was having fun teaching online. I was able to land some high-profile clients in the pandemic, including LinkedIn, Salesforce, and HP. Through teaching Laughter Yoga on Zoom, I was able to adapt through the struggle.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I facilitate laughter-based wellness, stress management, and team-building programs with groups. I run Certified Laughter Yoga Leader training where I teach people how to facilitate Laughter Yoga. I founded the LaughActive Exercise Instructor training where people learn how to teach laughter-based group exercise programs for seniors. You can find out more at laughactive.com.
I lead a twice-weekly free Laughter Yoga Club on Zoom. You can find out more and join the group at celestegreenelaughs.com.
What were you like growing up?
I was a total tom-boy. Always very giggly and giddy. People nicknamed me Giggle Box.
Contact Info:
- Email: celeste@celestegreenelaughs
- Website: celestegreenelaughs.com
- Instagram: celestegreenelaughs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CelesteGreeneLaughs
- Twitter: @LaughterYogaATL
- Youtube: youtube.com/c/Laughteryogaatlanta
Image Credits
Betsy McPherson Photography
