My real name is Claudia Lopez, but I took the name Pia from my childhood nickname. I’m from Cali, Colombia but I currently live in Miami and regularly travel between both places.
I studied Economics and International Business, have a Master in Marketing and worked in Marketing for 6 years at 3 big companies. However, in 2016 I decided to quit to my corporate life and change completely of career.
I practiced yoga for the first time years ago when I was looking for something to help calm my mind. However, it wasn’t until I tried a power yoga class in 2013 in my hometown of Cali, that I became more involved in this practice.
I was partially drawn to this practice because I’m an athletic person; I practiced basketball during my childhood, went to the gym during my twenties, and am active in general via different physical activities. With this background, I needed something physically challenging.
By this time, I was in the corporate world where I worked for 6 years at 3 big companies in 3 different cities. After 6 months of practicing yoga in Cali, Colombia, I traveled to London in 2014 to complete my Masters in Marketing.
In London, I started to get even more involved in yoga and began practicing with many different experienced teachers. In 2015 I moved to Miami where I kept practicing with different teachers and exploring different styles including Ashtanga Yoga at the Miami Life Center.
One day I took a Skanda Yoga class and I fell in love with this style. I found it challenging. It’s very focused on alignment and involves a deep spiritual connection, and it allowed me to take my practice to a different level.
After 4 years of being a practitioner and many hours researching where to do my Yoga Teacher Training 200hrs, I decided to complete it at Skanda Yoga in 2017. Best decision ever by the way!
At that time I had already left my corporate job. After finishing my training, I went completely in on sharing my love for yoga and teaching this practice to others.
I keep adding to my journey and enjoying the process. I hope we can cross paths if we haven’t already!