Carling Harps

What inspired me to teach yoga was the way the practice helped me reconnect to my body in a time when I felt really disconnected. I came to yoga through the lens of strength training and athletics, but it was in the quiet moments—on the mat, in my breath, in the pauses between shapes—that something deeper clicked. I realized yoga wasn’t just about flexibility or movement, it was a pathway back to myself. That experience felt too powerful not to share, and it’s shaped the way I teach to this day: with curiosity, compassion, and a deep respect for the individual journey.

I’ve learned from a wide range of teachers across yoga, mobility, strength & conditioning, and women’s wellness—each shaping the way I understand and teach movement. In the yoga space, I’ve been especially influenced by Annie Carpenter, Tiffany Russo, Jules Mitchell, and my Awakening Yoga co-founder Patrick Beach. My studies in mobility and performance with Functional Range Systems, Hunter Cook, and Kelly Starrett have deepened my understanding of how bodies adapt and thrive. I’m also endlessly inspired by thinkers like Caroline Myss and Carl Jung, and my time studying women’s health and birth work continues to inform how I hold space in and beyond the studio.

My classes are intelligent, grounded, and intentionally crafted to help people feel strong, curious, and connected in their bodies. I blend functional movement, strength work, and yoga asana with a focus on breath, awareness, and sustainable progress. Expect a balance of challenge and compassion, with plenty of room for exploration, autonomy, and just the right amount of sweat. I aim to create spaces where students can learn, unlearn, and move in ways that actually support how they live and feel—both on and off the mat.

Retreats are transformational because they get us out of autopilot—out of routine, out of comfort zones, and into real connection. Not just with ourselves, but with the world. I don’t do bubble retreats. No “imported wellness” or copy-paste LA yoga vibes. We eat street food, go to museums, train with local guides, and experience the culture with the people who live it. And yes—we roll out our mats every day too. It’s movement, mindfulness, and meaningful travel, all in one. This is for curious souls, especially solo travelers who’ve dreamed of seeing the world but didn’t want to do it alone. Come for the yoga, stay for the growth.

I'm not sure I have a favorite pose, but I do have a favorite moment in teaching poses! When you see the lightbulb click and they get their feet off the ground in crow pose, when you suddenly notice them *actually* settle and relax in Savasana, or that big giant exhale at the beginning and end of class that you know we all really, really needed!

I love Triangle pose, I don't know what it is, but I could live there!

Anywhere the food is! Seriously, I often choose my jobs or trips based on one or two meals that I've been dying to try somewhere and let that guide the way!