Yogi + Yogi = amazing power couple! Meet Jason and Karin two of our most lovable yogis. 

TRU: What brought you to TruHarmony Yoga?

Karin: Jason actually found Tru as we were walking our dogs around the neighborhood. He knew I was looking for a yoga studio after moving to Chicago from Houston and suggested we check it out.

TRU: What made you stay at Tru?

Jason: The instructors and the welcoming vibe of the studio.

Karin: We got the first week free and went (I think) almost every day to check out all the classes. I was blown away by the friendliness and openness of everyone – from the instructors to the students. There was a sense of community here that I have not found in many other studios since first starting my yoga practice 8-9 years ago.
TRU: Who practiced yoga first, Jason or Karin?

Jason: We both practiced a bit before we met, but Karin is the one who suggested we practice together.

TRU: What’s it like being married to a hot yoga chick?

Jason: Exciting…our life is an adventure. We enjoy a lot of the same things while at the same time exploring new opportunities.

TRU: Karin, you recently completed the TruYou weekend workshop. Tell us a little about it and what you biggest takeaways are.

Karin: I signed up for the TruYou weekend because I wanted to challenge myself with a weekend of yoga as well as dig a little deeper into finding out more about my ‘TruMe’. I thought it may help bring some clarity to some work related decisions I was struggling with. It did just that plus so much more. It was such a safe and supportive environment to just be vulnerable and open in with the group. No judgement. I really feel like I got to know me better. I left with clear and attainable goals that I am working on now and a certain peace that the decisions I am making are the right ones for me.

TRU: What’s it like having a husband who also practices yoga?

Karin: Cool, fun, competitive! It’s fun to have someone to go to yoga with and share in the experience. And it keeps me accountable knowing there is someone to motivate me to leave the house on those days I just don’t feel like it.

TRU: What have you two learned together?

Karin: That we are both weaker and stronger than we thought.

TRU: What silly thing(s) do you guys do together, besides yoga?

Karin: We play games, card games are our favorite, especially Gin. We even have an imaginary belt/title that the winner claims the rights to.

TRU: What was the last date you went on together?

Jason: Dinner and a movie – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (a book we had both read).

TRU: How has yoga changed your relationship?

Jason: We both look forward to going to, and it’s something we enjoy doing together.

Karin: It has improved our relationship and brought us closer together. It keeps us accountable for our attitudes. You will sometimes hear “That’s not very yogi” coming from one of us to the other.

TRU: What are you doing for Valentine’s Day?

Jason: Not sure… I should probably start looking into that.

TRU: What advice do you have for couples out there?

Karin: Stay connected and involved I each others lives. Invest and support one another.

TRU: What do you love most about each other?

Jason: Karin is a great person who makes me laugh and, of course, her Warrior II pose.

Karin: That I can be my complete, nerdy self around Jason and I know he loves me regardless.

TRU: How long have you been practicing yoga?

Dave: I started practicing in the early 90′s but didn’t get completely hooked until about 2005.

TRU: Why do you teach yoga?

Dave: There are many, many reasons why I do it, but mainly I teach yoga because I love seeing what yoga does for people. I love helping people to see what is possible for them as they tune into a frequency that gives them increased well-being, good health and happiness and a desire to create well-being, good health and happiness for others.

TRU: What did you do before you taught yoga?

Dave: I was an active member of The Chicago Board of Trade for 25 years.

TRU: What’s it like living with a yoga goddess?

Dave: It makes me feel very loved and supported. We truly enjoy sharing yoga and walking the path together.

TRU: Why do you love TruHarmony?

Dave: Its the people, man, THE PEOPLE!

TRU: What is your favorite thing about the Chicago yoga community?

Dave: I like that it relatively small and unaffected.

TRU: What do you do for fun?

Dave: Relax with Rachel and our dog Libby.

TRU: Tell us a little bit about the yoga retreat you have coming up in Mexico…

Dave: Its gonna be great! Sayulita is a cool little surf-town and the perfect place to un-wind and relax. It is always amazing to see the transformations that happen and the friendships that form in just one week.

TRU: What goals do you have for the future?

Dave: Only to keep learning, exploring my practice and to share what I discover.

TRU: What do you want to be remembered by/for in this lifetime?

Dave: I would like to be remembered as a good guy who made his little corner of the world a little brighter.

TRU: What one piece of advice do you have for Tru Yogis?

Dave: Just keep doing your yoga practice, have fun and try not to take it too seriously. Odds are that you’ll fell better and look better but the wonderful thing about yoga is that it can be so much more than just physical exercise. Becoming a yogi puts you on a path of learning and real self-discovery that often takes you towards something bigger. I see it every day in the faces of the students that I am so very fortunate to work with!

Dave and Rachel will be teaching a two hour workshop “Open Your Hearts” at TruHarmony Yoga on Saturday, February 11th, 2012. Sign up now, and use the code DAVE for $5 off. For more information on Dave and Rachel  check out their website . Email Dave with any retreat requests or questions at dduerkop@gmail.com.