5min with Larissa

Hello lovelies! My name is Larissa, I am a yoga teacher based in Abu Dhabi, but originally, I am from a small town on the Norther Coast of California. I am a lover of nature, adventure travel and a bit of an adrenalin junky. I find I am at my happiest when I’m with friends in the middle of no where doing something that would make my mom cringe or when I’m in the yoga studio sharing my practice with others.

Tells us about your yoga journey

Having grown up in California yoga has always been in my life in one form or another. But, in 2017 is when I started to be drawn to the practice more seriously. Initially I started the Asana practice because of my love for physical fitness and body movement. I wanted to improve my calisthenics training, acro yoga, and rock climbing skills and thought yoga would be the perfect addition to my training regimen. However, the more I started to practice the more I noticed shifts in other areas of my life, not just the physical. See, during this time I had also been dealing with depression, anxiety, and being stuck in a negative feedback loop. Though, I didn’t quite realize how badly at the time. Once I implemented a somewhat regular yoga practice I started to notice a shift in myself. I was feeling more open emotionally, becoming more self-aware, I felt like I was waking up again and returning back to who I was in essence. That’s when I realized that yoga was so much more and I wanted to pursue it even further. So, I packed up my life hopped on a plane to Thailand and received my 200hr Training, confirming my belief that Yoga was so much more than a physical practice. It is a way of being in the world, a way of getting back to your wonderful self, a philosophy to guide you, and a practice to keep you focused and moving forward. After receiving such amazing benefits and transformation from my personal practice, I knew I wanted to share it with others. I believe yoga can help us establish deep human connection, not only with our selves, but with others around you, nature and everything in-between.

How did yoga change your life

Along with the above statements, yoga has brought me so much, it’s hard for me to put in words. Being able to share my joy through yoga, having tools to practice meaningful self-care, and so much more.

How did yoga change the way you think and the way you view life?

I find I am more compassionate, more able to let my mind rest, more able to find peace and over all a happier healthier human. Yoga has forever changed the way I view the world.

What type of yoga do you practice and why?

I love it all! I love the power and predictable regime of Ashtanga, to the mellow meditative Yin practice. I love it all for different reasons I believe you need a bit of everything to receive a balanced practice.