Lara developed her love of teaching while living in Japan and Taiwan. Along with her husband, Rick Mercier, she traveled extensively in Asia during this time. They have also resided in Texas, Massachusetts and Virginia, where she worked for a variety of nonprofit organizations. After their daughter, Maya, was born, they returned to North Carolina and had another daughter Ella. Lara loves practicing Purna Yoga for the balance and perspective it brings to everyday life – physically, mentally and spiritually. She is especially enthusiastic about sharing these gifts of Purna Yoga with others. She is a graduate of The College of Purna Yoga 200 hour Yoga Alliance teacher training program at Purna Yoga East in 2009 and continues her studies attending ongoing yoga classes and attending specialty workshops.