Meet Claire Larson | Private In-Home & Group Yoga Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Claire Larson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Claire, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
Yoga makes me happy – and that is why I have chosen to make what was once my “fun side hustle” into a full-time job. There is something really special about a physical and mental practice that make you feel both calm and energized at the same time. It is a joy to be able to share my knowledge of yoga with my community.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As an in-home private & group yoga instructor, I have the opportunity to customize classes and create yoga and meditation experiences that meet the needs of each of my client’s unique yoga journeys and goals. A private lesson can be scheduled at a time that’s best for each client’s schedule, there is no commute time for them, and they get full one-on-one attention to learn, ask questions and strengthen their own yoga or meditation practice. Some days we just really need our own yoga time – free of distractions and hassle – and I love that I can create opportunities for fulfilling yoga practices that leave my clients feeling energized, peaceful, happy and whole.

I truly believe yoga is for everyone. We are all on a different yoga path, and whether it’s an energizing power flow, gentle beginner yoga and meditation, or a group looking to have fun and enjoy each other’s company, there is a way for everyone to find joy through breath and movement. I am so happy that I can create meaningful moments for each of my clients.

I first discovered yoga in college and was immediately hooked. After I graduated it did not take me long to get my 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher certificate, and I started teaching just a couple classes a week as a side gig. My full time job was in Public Relations, which was fast-paced, energizing and a little chaotic – but I loved it. There was always something inside me though that said, “wouldn’t it be so great if I could actually teach yoga full time?” My biggest challenge was having the courage to take a real leap of faith and actually do it. Thanks to some extra encouragement from my husband and some new-found confidence in myself, I made some big (and admittedly kind of scary) decisions and now I’m so excited to keep learning and moving forward with a new company I can proudly call my own!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
An itinerary for a friend visiting would include my favorites:

Outdoor ambiance for dinner: Chelsea’s Kitchen (Phoenix)
Drinks and music: Sea & Smoke – Downtown Ocotillo (Chandler)
Take out: Mama Thai Kitchen (Chandler)
Physical activity: hike Camelback or San Tan
Entertainment: Hale Centre Theater (Gilbert)
Gym & Spa: Village Health Club & Spa – Ocotillo (Chandler)
Antiques/Thrifting: Merchant Square (Chandler)
Shopping: Kierland Commons (Scottsdale)
Juice: Kaleidoscope Juice (Phoenix)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
All of the members at the studios where I teach deserve a shoutout for motivating me to start my company! The smiles and positivity of people taking my classes keeps me motivated. Since moving to Arizona, I’ve had several studio yoga members ask me if I teach private lessons, and it was their inquiries that made me ask myself, “why don’t I teach private lessons yet?” They inspired me to start my own business, and I’m so grateful for the encouragement.

I also have to give a shoutout to the yoga instructors/mentors in Minnesota who trained me and taught me what it takes to create smart, intelligent classes that leave students feeling happy and whole. My yoga community back home in Minneapolis has such a special place in my heart, and I appreciate my friends and teachers so much!

Website: https://clairelarsonyoga.com/

Instagram: @clairelarsonyoga

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-marie-larson-95b46254/