From her fearless attitude toward embracing change to her calm wisdom and fierce fashion sense, accountant turned yogi Christine Lussier inspires us with her spirit and style.
When I first met Christine Lussier at a REALM Fine + Fashion Jewelry pop-up, she was working as an accountant in a large firm. I admired this talent of hers as it is not one of mine! We connected through mutual friends and through our love of fashion.
At the time, I had just started a new business venture—REALM! —at an age when most would not. Christine was my quiet champion from the start, helping me push past boundaries that often were impossible for me to even see. Now, as Christine embarks on a new path to go beyond her boundaries at an age when most would not, I am proud to introduce her as a Real Woman of REALM (RWR) and delighted to share her story with you.
In every aspect of her life, Christine has been fearless in embracing change. She left that successful accounting career to follow her passions in teaching and yoga–and then started up a new biz in the early days of the pandemic. In her thirties she married into a “ready-made family” and now is a stepmom and grandmom. Through it all she has kept her calm wisdom, open arms to friends and fierce sense of style.
We hope Christine’s journey will encourage you to take that leap to follow your dreams, whatever they may be.
Ann King Lagos
Founder + Designer
REALM Fine + Fashion Jewelry
What do you do for work?
I am the founder of Christine’s Corner Yoga. I help people feel better in their bodies through movement, yoga postures and breathwork.
… and for play?
Travel, attend the theater, visit museums and art galleries, read, write.
How did you segue from finance to yoga?
I am a practical girl at heart, and a career in accounting is very practical. I could rely on a steady paycheck, advancement opportunities, professional growth. But it didn’t excite me. I never felt it was my life purpose. In 2009, I had the opportunity to step back and assess. I didn’t know I would become a yoga teacher. I wanted to work with children, and that is how it started. I trained to teach yoga to children through Grade 5. My journey into teaching yoga to varied populations grew from there.
What advice would you give to someone contemplating a dramatic change?
- Know that it takes courage and faith to make a leap to something different, especially when it involves releasing your perception of what financial security means to you.
- Take a break to create some space. It can be difficult to envision other opportunities for yourself when you are immersed in your current work.
- Tap into your intuition. Start first with the heart, to know if this is your passion, your purpose.
- Then shift back to the head to make a plan. How will you support yourself? What are your first moves?
- Remember, you do not need to know exactly how you will get there, but you need to know what it looks like. Keep that heart/head connection and trust in yourself.
- Most of all: Follow what you love, not what you fear.
"Change is constant.
It might be the
only thing that is.
Look for the opportunities
that come with change.
Relax into it."
—Christine Lussier
What makes Christine’s Corner Yoga unique?
Christine’s Corner Yoga actually began in the initial months of the pandemic(!) when, at the request of a friend, I began offering adult Zoom yoga classes to friends and family. CCY grew from there. Our 75-minute classes are designed around a 6-week theme. These classes are smaller, a more intimate space in which the students can connect with one another. Our daily 30-minute practice is popular with people who want a shorter practice and daily routine. All classes are recorded, and you receive each class recording to do on your own if you cannot attend live, or to practice again on your own.
Tell us about the “ready-made family” who also changed your life.
At the age of 31, I began dating a widower with four school-aged children. Although we entered a committed relationship within two years, we took our time in blending households and marrying. It is not easy to step into what I call “a ready-made family” but it has afforded me opportunities for personal growth and compassion, love and empathy. I love and admire my stepchildren and am thrilled to be blessed with four grandchildren. It is great fun!
Our featured collection this month is EMPIRE, which represents POSSIBILITY + PROMISE + DESTINY.
What do those words mean to you?
We create the conditions of our life through our thoughts and actions. Everything is possible for us if we can think of it, dream of it, and live as though we already have it. It is our birthright to go after our dreams. It is a promise we made to ourselves before we entered these bodies. Our destiny is the sacred contract we made with ourselves.
Your favorite pieces of REALM jewelry?
Reign Thoughtfully Cuff Bracelets
"The words etched into each Reign Thoughtfully Cuff Bracelet offer a constant, gentle reminder.
I mix and match the four colors with all my REALM pieces."
Stack Rings
"I can create many different looks and
wear them when casual or dressed up."
INSIGNIA Délicat Y Necklace
“Delicate yet substantial,
this necklace is a gorgeous and romantic
statement piece.”
Tell us about your love of fashion and what it means to you.
Fashion is an opportunity for self-expression, creativity, the initial message you want to send to the world about yourself. It is not about having the right handbag, or shoes. It is about your eye, how you put your pieces together and how you carry yourself in them. Own your fashion! Let it be yours.
What does it mean to...
Take responsibility
and charge of your own life.
Be humble and true to yourself.
Why Do You Love REALM?
"The pieces are gorgeous,
the quality is impeccable,
I love mixing and matching.
I have my go-to pieces for travel
because they are so versatile.
Also, REALM celebrates WOMEN
and reminds us that we are
Powerful and the Ruler of our own Destiny."
—Christine Lussier
