Wellness Influencer Interview: Claudine Lafond

NAME: Claudine Lafond

OCCUPATION: Yoga Visionary

Please tell us a little more about your business, yourself and how you got to where you are now in the wellness industry…

Once I completed my first teacher training, I began humbly calling and visiting every studio in New York that I could think of and before long I was teaching full time. My passion and determination has fueled my business and it continues to keep me moving towards the next great opportunity. To me, nothing is more important than finding something that you love to do. Find it and you'll never work another day in your life! More recently, I've teamed up with my incredible husband Honza and we have been traveling and teaching together for the past year. We launched YogaBeyond in 2012 and it has gained tremendous momentum in a very short span of time. Since joining forces and sharing our love for yoga and building community, we have opened a yoga studio in the Domain, Sydney CBD. It is a divine space with superb views of the harbour. We are thrilled to channel our energy into this new project and look forward to welcoming everyone into our new 'home'. "

What does ‘living naturally’ mean to you?

Live a life in balance with what is available in your environment. We are deeply influenced by our surroundings and it's important to find harmony with what is around you. I love to buy locally as much as possible and make choices that I feel are beneficial for my overall health and well being. Ultimately natural living means to create a happy, healthy life in a way that is flexible, fun and free.

What does a typical day in the wellness world look like for you?

I wake up at 4:45am most days and begin seeing clients at 6am. Every day consists of classes, seeing clients, networking and now managing a new yoga studio in Sydney.

What is your top tip for staying fit and healthy?

Be sure to move your body and do it often. I like to find activities that get me moving on a daily basis. Whether it's running, dancing, rock climbing, yoga, acrobatics do something that you enjoy and it won't really feel like effort. Find ways to move that are fun for you.

In a nutshell, what’s your food philosophy?

My food philosophy is simple:

• Enjoy what you choose to eat and take time out to eat slowly. I love to make a ritual around food and really savor it. Create the time to really taste your food. Turn off your phone, chew your food, breathe deeply and take a moment of gratitude for the effort involved in preparing the food that is in front of you. All of this will aid in better digestion.
• I'd also advocate the 90/10 rule. 90% of the time eat foods that are good for you and 10% eat whatever you want!

What do you do to ‘reset’ the balance button when life gets a bit hectic?

I love to take time out for myself by getting a massage and taking a bath. It's the simple things in life that help me 'reset'. Supta bhadhakonasana is also my favorite yoga pose to reset on a daily basis.

We’re all about balance around here…What’s your biggest indulgence?

One of my indulgences is dark chocolate with Artisana coconut butter and a pint of strawberries. I usually eat the whole punnet dipped in coconut butter in one sitting and never feel guilty about it!! :)

What healthy snacks might we find on your desk or in your handbag?

I usually make my own 'trail mix' of roasted almonds, goji berries, pumpkin seeds, raw chocolate, brazil nuts, golden berries and pistachios. I also love whole cucumbers as a snack to rehydrate.

Can you share with us your top two pieces of advice for people wanting to start a career in the wellness industry?

• I would encourage anyone wanting to start a career to fully commit to your dreams and to not hesitate. Self doubt is a dangerous thing when starting anything new. Let the beauty of what you love be your driving force and all good things will stem from there. I am a firm believer in the words of Joseph Campbell: 'At times, all you need to do is jump and the net will appear'.
• Create a vision board for yourself with images of your goals within your new career and always come back to it as a reminder. Also reach out to others in the industry whom you admire and would like to emulate. Always ask for support when needed!

Do you have a favourite affirmation or quote you remind yourself of when life throws you a few challenges?

It's a long one but one of my favorites..

"Dear Human: You’ve got it all wrong. You didn’t come here to master unconditional love. That is where you came from and where you’ll return. You came here to learn personal love. Universal love. Messy love. Sweaty love. Crazy love. Broken love. Whole love. Infused with divinity. Lived through the grace of stumbling. Demonstrated through the beauty of… messing up. Often. You didn’t come here to be perfect. You already are. You came here to be gorgeously human. Flawed and fabulous. And then to rise again into remembering. But unconditional love? Stop telling that story. Love, in truth, doesn’t need ANY other adjectives. It doesn’t require modifiers. It doesn’t require the condition of perfection. It only asks that you show up. And do your best. That you stay present and feel fully. That you shine and fly and laugh and cry and hurt and heal and fall and get back up and play and work and live and die as YOU. It’s enough. It’s Plenty.”
—  Courtney A. Walsh

Thank you so much for sharing this insight with us all. I only wish I could share the incredible inspiration and energy that you bestow on anyone lucky enough to attend one of your classes! x