Today we’d like to introduce you to Clarissa Karunaratne.
Clarissa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I like to believe that your life mission somehow goes hand in hand with what you dreamed of being as a kid. I always wanted to be an actress, little me had the hopes of performing on Broadway – something about pre-show excitement behind the curtain, making people laugh, creating experiences and long-lasting memories just felt so special to me. I remember I’d watch plays and musicals with my parents growing up and thinking I want to be just like the actors and actresses on stage. I pursued theatre for seven years starting at the age of seven and as I hit 14 years and was now a sophomore in high school, I became a cheerleader!
I find the parallels between the two to be very similar. Maybe the explanation to this could be as simple as saying I’m a Leo and enjoy these types of things?! I like to believe there’s so much more to it.
Now as a fitness instructor and yoga teacher, I find the same excitement just in a different role! It all comes down to cultivating community – and I love being part of it.
Whether it’s stage lights to Friday night lights to dim studio lights, community is constant. You can find me at Hot 8 Yoga in Los Angeles as well as on my own digital on-demand platform www.sweatwithriss.com where you can stream my classes and meditations from 5-30 minutes in length!
I knew I wanted something of my own and during 2020 when studio doors closed and virtual classes began, I took it upon myself to create something that would be the closest thing to an in-studio experience – and Sweat With Riss was born!!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This definitely was not an easy road and it still is full of twists and turns and road bumps – but I believe when your goal is something that can help others, the right tools come to you at the right time. I’ll be honest, I don’t always have the motivation to film these virtual classes and I like to remind myself that the days when we really just don’t want to show up are the days that we need it the most. I so strongly believe in the positive benefits of movement and it’s proved itself to me many times this past year. Even just 10 minutes of intentional movement can be game-changing.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love helping people release and learn through movement; not only physical movement but mental movement. There is so much to be found when we recognize our shared humanity – something I like to make a focus of my classes and meditations. Sometimes we just gotta get out of our own way!
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Hmm…this one is tough. I hope to see it more intertwined with each other – I feel like there is still a divide between fitness and wellness and the two go hand in hand! It is all connected!
Pricing:
- 7 days free for my on-demand platform!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.sweatwithriss.com
- Instagram: @yogiriss
Image Credits:
Emma Rosenblatt
