We recently had the chance to connect with Karina Catellani and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Karina, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
For me, the answer is yoga. e moment I begin to teach or practice, I disconnect completely from technology and gently step away from whatever is happening around me. Everything narrows down to breath and movement. Whether I’m guiding a class or taking one, I slip into a space where time seems to dissolve.When I’m teaching, my attention naturally centers on the sequence, on each person in the room, and on the collective energy we’re shaping together. When I’m practicing as a student, that same presence takes over; I tune into my body, my breath, and the subtle cues of the teacher.
Yoga is the place where I return to myself. It regulates my nervous system, quiets my mind, and offers a space to process, release, and recalibrate. One of the things I love most is that I’m always learning, about anatomy, movement, philosophy, and, ultimately, about myself. Each practice reveals something new. It helps me grow, get stronger, and gain clarity.
But above all, it’s the sense of connection that keeps me grounded: connection to my own intuition and body, and to the shared essence of the people around me. Yoga has a unique ability to organize my thoughts, soften stress, and anchor me in the present moment. It’s where I lose track of time and where I consistently find my way back to who I really am.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Karina Catellani, originally from the south of Argentina and now based in Miami. I studied Public Relations and Communications in Buenos Aires, and early in my career I moved to the U.S. to work as Director of PR at Latin World Entertainment Miami, owned by Sofía Vergara, Luis Balaguer, and Melissa Escobar, where I worked closely with leading Hispanic talent. It was an experience that shaped me profoundly at a very young age: traveling, learning, and connecting with artists from different countries and backgrounds. Since around 2011, yoga has been my anchor — the practice that has kept me emotionally and physically balanced through every chapter of my life.
Over the years, I’ve completed multiple yoga teacher trainings across the U.S., Thailand, Singapore, Costa Rica, and beyond, earning certifications in Hatha, Vinyasa, Yoga Therapy, Trauma-Informed Yoga, and Rocket-inspired Yoga. I’ve taught internationally and now lead private sessions, corporate wellness programs for clients such as Meta, and classes at renowned studios like State of Yoga, Wild Thing, and Miami Life Center.
I’m also the founder and CEO of Treelance Yoga, a Latina-owned wellness brand rooted in mindfulness and meaningful design. Our mission is to inspire a balanced, intentional lifestyle through yoga apparel and tools that support both practice and presence. The name “Treelance” reflects that duality: the grounding strength of a tree and the fluid, balanced movement suggested by the word lance — a reminder of finding stability and flow in everyday life.
I’m passionate about studying, learning, and connecting. My curiosity for neuroscience, yoga philosophy, and global cultures has taken me from Patagonia to Southeast Asia. I love discovering new cultures, understanding different perspectives, and growing through every experience.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
It’s hard to pinpoint a single moment, because who I am today has been shaped by a constellation of experiences — especially the ones that left me feeling vulnerable. Times when my health faltered, when my body didn’t respond the way I hoped, or even allow me to show up for others. And, of course, the birth of my son in 2024, which unfolded nothing like I had imagined. Moving through a difficult labor and the emotional storm that followed revealed something profound: the irreplaceable value of the people who supported me, the depth of love surrounding me, and the remarkable resilience of the human body.
Those periods of fragility widened my empathy. They gave me a clearer understanding of pain, of the silent burdens so many people carry, and of the daily balancing act countless mothers perform just to keep themselves and their babies afloat. I began to appreciate life, health, and community with a depth and intensity I didn’t have before.
The more painful chapters also reshaped me. They forced me to slow down and reevaluate everything. They were devastating at the time, yet each experience strengthened me, softened me, and expanded my compassion. They shaped my worldview in a way nothing else could, reminding me that adversity often serves as both teacher and mirror.
Today, I move through the world with more tenderness, more courage, and a profound sense of gratitude for the people and experiences that have formed me.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me everything success never had the depth to reveal. Success can be gratifying, but it rarely asks you to look inward. Pain does. Moving through difficult moments gave me empathy, not the abstract kind, but the kind that lets you feel someone else’s struggle even without knowing their story. It taught me patience, compassion, and a softness I didn’t know I was capable of.
Hard experiences made me more sensitive to the world around me. They pushed me to notice the people who quietly carry their own burdens, and they awakened a genuine desire to help others, even those I may never meet again. Suffering stripped away any illusion of certainty and replaced it with humility, understanding, and a deep appreciation for small acts of kindness.
Success celebrates who you are when everything goes right; suffering shapes who you become when everything falls apart. And in that space, in the rebuilding,I learned to be more human, more open-hearted, and more connected to the experiences of others. It gave me a type of wisdom that only comes from moving through darkness and choosing, over and over again, to find the light.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
They would probably say that humor is essential to me, that laughter is one of my love languages. I believe in the kind of humor that lets you laugh at your own missteps once enough time has passed for them to become stories instead of wounds.
They would also say that authenticity matters to me above almost anything. I’m someone who values being myself, honest and unfiltered in a kind and grounded way. I don’t feel shame in expressing who I am, and I try to create space for others to do the same. I don’t judge people for being different; I appreciate it. I genuinely believe that our nuances, contradictions, and quirks are what make us human. I love surrounding myself with people who show up as they truly are, because I try to do the exact same.
I’m always seeking to learn, to discover, and to understand something new, whether through deep, meaningful conversations or through lighthearted moments that exist simply to enjoy the present. Travel is another pillar of my life; exploring different cultures and perspectives keeps me open-minded, curious, and continually expanding the way I see the world.
And above all, my friends know how much I value showing up for the people I love. Being present in the joyful moments and the difficult ones is something I take seriously. Connection, laughter, growth, honesty, and authenticity, those are some of the things that truly matter to me.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I feel fortunate to have grown up in a family that provided love, freedom, and unwavering support, which allowed me to cultivate a strong sense of self from an early age. Because of that foundation, I feel that I am living in alignment with my own values and potential, rather than following a path dictated by external expectations. At this point in my life, I am proud to be charting my own course: running my own business, teaching yoga in spaces where I feel comfortable and connected, living in a place I have chosen for now while remaining open to change, and surrounding myself with people who bring joy, laughter, support, and trust into my life.
I strive to give my best in all that I do, understanding that perfection is unattainable. Instead, I pour my energy and intention into creating a life that resonates with me, a life that feels meaningful, and authentic. In essence, I am continuously working to be the best version of myself, making choices that honor both my inner compass and my well-being. I am not living by someone else’s blueprint; I am creating a life that embodies my true self and the people and experiences that inspire me. I am trying to intentionally curate a life that reflects my passions, my values, and the relationships that nurture my growth and genuineness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://treelance.us/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karinacatellani/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinacatellani/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/treelanceyoga/
Image Credits
karina catellani
