Diana Korpi - Laughter Yoga Leader, Web Consultant, Jewelry Designer, Musician

About Diana

I am interested in so many things in this big, beautiful world. I've had the amazing good fortune to meet and work with brilliant musicians, songwriting instructors, artists, and entrepreneurs in all kinds of businesses. These people are some of the brightest, most generous people there are, and have introduced me to new ideas and whole communities I never even knew existed.

When I find something new, I tend to get very excited about it. And...there's a decent chance I'll start a business to support my continued learning, share my excitement with others, or some combination of both. Some day, I'll learn how to close businesses, too...

Meanwhile, here's what I am fascinated by and working on these days -- along with a little history of how I got there.

2012: Certified Laughter Yoga Leader & Positive Psychology Coach

In the fall of 2011, I attended my first laughter yoga session with Jody Ross. I immediatedly noticed a difference in my mood and sense of well-being. And that difference didn't last just for a few minutes, but for the next several days. Whenever I did laughter yoga, I felt better -- energetically, emotionally, and spiritually. It only took a few more sessions for me to decide that I needed to have this in my life every week. And after a few more weeks, I knew I wanted to share this beautiful, fun, innovative way to increase happiness with others. Not only is it fun -- it's free! And there are no negative side-effects.

In May of 2012, I became certified as a Laughter Yoga Leader. Soon after, I founded Seriously Happy and started developing workshops and exercise to help people (especially entrepreneurs since I work with so many of them) get the benefits of laughter and positive psychology. You can sign up for the Seriously Happy Newsletter and learn more about Laughter Club, special events, exercises here.

2012: Improv

I started taking improv classes the same time I discovered Laughter Yoga, in the fall of 2011. (That was a really good September!!) Since then, I've taken all the classes at ComedySportz, as well as 301 and 401 at Huge Theater, and I'm starting 201 and 501 at Huge soon.

I've also been lucky enough to be able to perform not only in student showcases for the classes, but in other shows at Huge Theater, as well, including The Nightmare Video Project, Her Name is Armando, and with several groups in the Huge's 24-hour Improv-a-Thon. This is SO MUCH FUN.

I am utterly fascinated by this in-the-moment live art form in which players learn to be in the moment, accept whatever reality is suggested by scene partners, and respond quickly. I've witnessed (and played in) so many beautiful, surprising, and hilarious moments during this time. I'm not only getting all the benefits of laughter (see Laughter Yoga), but I've also become better at quick thinking and feel more confident in so many situations.

I'm so excited by the positive effects improv has had on me that I am currently developing a series of Improv for Entrepreneurs workshops to help entrepreneurs to reap some of these same benefits and improve their businesses.

2009: Songwork

After working with Steve Seskin for years, I joined him in his latest venture, Songwork.com, as Member Services Director. This newly-launched video-based songwriting education site features video lectures by nationally-acclaimed teachers including, Steve Seskin, Pat Pattison, Andrea Stolpe and many more.

2004: Skynote Consulting & MusiciansMom

I started my web presence consulting and management career in 2004. I had been working with independent musicians and songwriting instructors for serveral years doing publicity, creating press materials, building websites and managing web presence when co-founder Terri Mazurek and I decided to start MusiciansMom, a service dedicated to offering independent musicians practical support and advice.

Now, in addition to working with musicians to meet their web presence and publicity needs, I work with small business owners of all kinds to create dynamic and unique websites and newsletters that keep business owners connected to their clients.

Click here to see examples of websites and newsletters.

2000: Jewelry Designer

I built my first website for my handmade jewelry business, Halcyon Designs, which I began in 2000. As a designer, I especially like playing with the color, shape, and texture of the beads I work with. Intrigued by the varying patterns and colors of semi-precious stones, many of my pieces incoporate stones with other materials: freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, sterling silver, Czech and India glass. When creating my designs, I pay special attention to the interplay of color and balance and strive to create beautiful pieces that make the wearer feel beautiful, too.

Songwriter

I've been singing and playing the piano since childhood, and was inspired to start writing my own songs after working with nationally recognized songwriters like Ellis, Steve Seskin and Pat Pattison. I've been told that my music is melodic, whimsical, and touching -- highlighted by sweet harmonies that have been honed through years of experience performing with various vocal groups. You can learn more and hear some songs in progress here.