Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia (Pia) Lopez.
Claudia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I tried yoga for the first time in Colombia (2011) looking for something to help me calm my mind; however, it wasn’t until I tried a power yoga class in 2013 that I became really involved into this practice. I had always been an athletic person, practicing basketball during my childhood, going to the gym during my twenties, and being active in general in different physical activities.
During those years, I was working in corporate and decided to travel to London to pursue my Masters in Marketing, together with my boyfriend who is now my husband. In London, I even got more involved in yoga as I started to work also part-time for a yoga clothing brand. I was able to practice in different studios and with very talented teachers.
After finishing my Masters, my husband and I came to Miami, got married and made this city our new home. I started to work again in corporate (as a marketing manager for a big corporation) but after three months I decided it wasn’t where I wanted to be anymore. Even though I love marketing and still use it and apply it a lot for my business and as a consultant for other businesses, I wanted something different. I wanted the freedom of time and not having to dedicate all my time to something I didn’t feel was so important anymore.
Therefore, after six years of working in an office for different companies, I finally decided to follow my heart and the love for yoga and decided to share this practice with others.
In 2017 after a lot of research, I started my yoga teacher training certification in Skanda Yoga here in Miami, with two of the most knowledgeable teachers. Now, I hold a 200hrs certification and I’m currently pursuing my 500hrs certification.
I’ve been teaching group, corporate, workshops, and private yoga classes now for 2 years and I am loving it and learning more every day from my own study, practice, from my teachers and my students who make me want to be better every day.
I am also holding yoga retreats that include adventure and nature activities with another company I created with my husband after seven months of traveling together around the world in 2018. This is a travel blog called twovisitaround.com(IG @twovisitaround)
My yoga classes are for all levels. They are challenging, very focused on alignment but at the same time loaded with energy, fun and with that Latin touch given by my background (and my accent).
Has it been a smooth road?
When we love and enjoy what we do, we do it with passion, we dedicate time into getting better at it; therefore, everything gets easier.
However, there are always challenges on the road. There are a lot of yoga teachers (and studios!) in Miami, which is great, but it also makes it more difficult. So I’d say getting people to know you is one of the main struggles, especially when you are starting since you are just creating your own voice, and style for your classes. It takes time.
Starting to teach was also very scary for me since my English hasn’t been perfect especially when talking… I was scared to make mistakes! Nowadays, I make fun of myself and that’s what also makes my classes fun and people feel more comfortable and open when you show them we can all laugh at our mistakes.
Little by little, people have been able to trust my knowledge. I have given now a one-month immersion, workshops, and students want to take private classes with me to deepen into their practice.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My business’ mission is about helping others to be more conscious of their movements, their breathing, the quality of their thoughts, and therefore have a better quality of life. I do this by helping others practice the ancient science of mind, body and spirit called yoga.
I specialize in being very detailed oriented and focused on alignment for the physical practice as well as the inner alignment (breath, the calmness of mind) while having fun. I think this is what sets me apart: my authenticity.
I am proud of seeing the progress of my students, and seeing how much they advance in my group classes, in privates, or by taking any of my workshops.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
It depends on how we want to see it. The glass is half empty or the glass is half full.
There are many yoga studios and yoga teachers in Miami. Studios have to sell Yoga Teacher Trainings in order to stay in business and I think there is an oversupply of this.
However, that also means there are more and more people wanting to practice yoga thanks to the scientifically-proven health benefits.
So, you decide what makes you stand out from others and how much time do you want to dedicate to study and to market yourself in order to establish a client base.
Contact Info:
- Address: 50 biscayne Blvd.
- Website: www.twovisitaround.com
- Email: piayogacontact@gmail.com
- Instagram: @pia_yoga
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PiaYoga108/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claudialopez84
Image Credit:
@ottoguaroa, @eyecbeauty, @pereoz
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