Today we’d like to introduce you to Celeste Greene.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
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 accident and totaled my car, and to top it off, I was dumped.
The loss of these things all at once showed me that I did not know who I was outside of my profession, my possessions, and my relationships. I was turning to these things as my source of happiness and when they all disappeared, I was left feeling empty. And in this emptiness, I discovered that I had never really felt full in the first place.
A little voice inside of me told me that I just 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. In an endless stream of laughing baby videos, I stumbled upon a worldwide movement that uses intentional laughter to help people be healthier and happier. Laughter Yoga is based on scientific evidence that both genuine laughter and self-initiated laughter elicit health benefits. So what that means is that whether we are laughing at something funny, or we are laughing because we’re just having fun going through the motions of laughter— we get all the same physical and mental health benefits.
I learned that the simple act of laughing had the potential to create a joyful state of mind. This was great news for me because I was in such a funk that I didn’t feel like I had much of a reason to laugh, and I certainly wasn’t feeling very joyful. I was so moved by this idea that I decided to get certified as a Laughter Yoga Leader.
The certification program was extremely transformational. I felt compelled to share this practice with anyone who would listen. Previously I had worked at an advertising agency. On a whim, I had one of my web developer buddies set up a website for me. The next thing I knew I was leading laughter-based stress management and team building programs with corporate clients and laughter wellness classes with older adults in senior living communities. In 2012 I was able to leave advertising for good and laugh for a living.
My passion for laughing with elders coupled with my experiences as a caregiver for my late grandmother led me to pursue my master’s degree in Gerontology at Georgia State University. While I was at Georgia State, I got certified as a Group Fitness Instructor and Senior Fitness Specialist and developed the LaughActive group exercise program for seniors. The program combines intentional laughter with a dedicated strength, balance, endurance, and flexibility exercise program. I was the principal investigator of a rigorous evaluation study looking at the physical and mental health benefits of laughter enhanced exercise among assisted living residents. My study was published in The Gerontologist, a prominent peer-reviewed academic journal in the field.
My work has been featured in a number of media outlets, including CNN, Forbes.com, Psychology Today, 11Alive News, and Fox 5 Good Day Atlanta. I’ve given numerous keynote speeches and even got to present at TEDx Centennial Park. In 2017, Laughter Yoga International University awarded me the prestigious Laughter Ambassador distinction for my outstanding work in the field.
Most importantly, I’ve been given a brighter perspective on life and it’s challenges. Through my regular laughter practice, it has become much easier for me to keep a happy mind even when I meet what seems like bad conditions or difficult circumstances. Dr. Madan Kataria, the founder of the laughter yoga movement, says, “When we laugh, we change, and when we change our world changes.” This is certainly true for me and I am forever grateful.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not always been a smooth road. When I first started telling people about Laughter Yoga they didn’t understand it. Some of my friends still don’t really know what it is I do for a living. In seeking to offer Laughter Yoga sessions to businesses, I’ve had to help people understand not only what the practice entails, but also how it can create value in their professional and personal lives. Persevering through these struggles have given me more assurance in who I am and what I stand for and also more resilience when faced with rejection.
Laughter Yoga Atlanta – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Laughter Yoga Atlanta facilitates laughter-based wellness, stress-management, and team-building programs primarily with corporate groups and older adults in senior living communities.
Quarterly, I empower others on how to facilitate laughter yoga through my Certified Laughter Yoga Leader Training program.
Laughter Yoga Atlanta gives back to the community through a monthly Laughter Yoga Club that is free and open to the public. This Laughter Yoga Club has been going for over eight years now. I invite you to come and laugh with any time.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is feeling happy and satisfied at the end of the day having pursued my passion in helping others to also be happier.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I have a natural ability to connect on with people from all walks of life. This has helped me to bring out the playfulness in others and help them to access their innate ability to laugh deeply from the heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://laughteryogaatlanta.com
- Phone: 678-596-6979
- Email: celeste@laughteryogaatlanta.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/laughteryogaatlanta
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/LaughterYogaAtlanta/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaughterYogaATL
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
