Meet Carla Stefanelli

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Carla Stefanelli. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Carla below.

Carla, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

That is such a beautiful question, and it really made me stop and think! It’s true, people always call me a glass half-full person, and it’s just one of those traits I know I have. Even when everything seems to be falling apart, I still find myself looking for the good part, and sometimes I even wonder why I’m like that!

But when I sit with it, the answer is simple: Why not?

Being negative is just extra weight. It brings less joy, more heaviness, and nobody wants to be around someone who is always complaining about everything. Optimism is the only way to invite good things into your life.

Even when you are in a bad situation, choosing to smile and look at the bright side is an act of surrender. It allows you to relax, let go of the need to control everything, and just enjoy the ride wherever it takes you.

For me, it’s also a deep, core belief. I believe that choosing anything but optimism is a betrayal to my soul’s path. It separates me from the reality that we are all creators inside. We have the magic and the strength to transform anything and everything. Optimism isn’t just a feeling; it’s the choice to activate that magic.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I like to call myself a mindful movement master. My brand, Carla in Motion, is fundamentally about sharing the belief that Movement is Medicine.

What makes it special is that it’s more than just exercise; it’s a powerful language for healing, expression, and finding joy. I teach people how to use their bodies not just as something to look at, but as a powerful container for their memories, intuition, and emotions. When we move consciously, we’re able to shift energy, release what’s stuck, and truly come back home to ourselves.

My signature class, Yoga Flush, is a perfect example of this philosophy in action. It’s a sweaty, soulful, and somatic experience that blends fun music and intentional movement to help you process and let go of emotions that we all store in the body, leaving you feeling lighter and clearer.

What’s New
I’m thrilled to be expanding my offerings. I’m currently leading unique hiking and yoga retreats, next year we’ll be going to Colorado, and I couldn’t be more excited.. I’m also running mentorship programs for established teachers.

The most exciting news is that I’ll be launching a ‘How to Have a Daily Sadhana’ course next year. This is for everyone; you don’t need to be a teacher to take it! It’s designed to give you the tools and the framework to build your own personal daily practice that truly ignites and supports your spirit, mind, and body, setting a joyful and intentional tone for the rest of your day.

Everything I do is focused on helping people move with intention, and joy.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. My Professional Dance Background 💃
My background as a professional flamenco dancer has been one of the most impactful things. Performing at a high level gave me deep body awareness and confidence, but most importantly, it taught me how to find meditation through movement. When you’re dancing, you become so hyper-focused that nothing else in the world matters. That state of absolute presence is how we should strive to live. Now, when I teach or practice yoga, that same focus takes over, transforming the physical practice into a true movement meditation, and that’s exactly what I want to share with all my students.

2. Corporate/Marketing Experience
My past experience working at marketing agencies has been incredibly valuable. Transitioning into the world of Carla in Motion meant becoming a solo-preneur, and my corporate background gave me a massive head start. I already understood how to build a brand, what it takes to promote a service, and how to navigate the business side of things. This knowledge of the do’s and don’ts of marketing has been an undeniable asset in quickly launching and sustaining my personal brand.

3. Radical Adaptability: The Art of Flow
Finally, the quality that ties everything together is my radical adaptability. Between my journey as an immigrant navigating constant uncertainty and the chaos of leaving a stable job, I was constantly faced with situations I couldn’t control. This forced me to learn how to surrender and stay present, and overall optimistic. It’s the skill of learning to flow with what is; to not be rigid and it’s the foundation of resilience. Without that ability to adapt, I wouldn’t have had the courage to bet on myself and build the life I have now.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

While many books have helped me; both for business and for my spiritual and emotional growth, if I have to choose just one that has been absolutely essential, it would be The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.

It’s one of those books that I keep close and re-read often because it distills the rules of life into four very simple, direct, and easy-to-digest concepts. It’s not complex theory; it’s a manual for daily living.

The most impactful nuggets of wisdom for me are:

Be Impeccable with Your Word: This goes beyond just being honest with others. It’s about being honest with yourself and using your words to create, not to destroy. It’s a fundamental reminder that your internal dialogue and the energy you project through your language truly shapes your reality.

Don’t Take Anything Personally: This is pure freedom. It teaches you that what others say or do is a reflection of their own world, not yours. It was crucial for me as an entrepreneur to be able to hear feedback and criticism without letting it crash my self-worth or my belief in my brand.

Don’t Make Assumptions: This is a huge time and energy saver. Assumptions create drama and misunderstanding where none existed. The simple wisdom here is to have the courage to ask questions and clearly express what you need. It brings clarity to every relationship.

Always Do Your Best: This means understanding that your “best” changes every day. It’s not about perfection; it’s about effort. By simply doing your best in the present moment, you avoid self-judgment and regret, which is a powerful way to live.

It’s a beautiful, simple reminder that when you commit to these four agreements, you create a life of less conflict, more peace, and true personal freedom.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carlainmotion.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carla.inmotion/

Image Credits

Gustavo Marmol
George Lozada
Lalo Hernandez