Megan, your baby (TruHarmony) is turning two… how excited are you?!

I’m a proud mama, that’s for sure!  It’s been tremendously rewarding to see the growth in our community and how each person who walks through the doors contributes to the energy that keeps me alive and energized every single day.  I cannot wait to toast to another phenomenal year!

When you look how Tru has grown over the past years, how do you feel? 

I feel full of gratitude for every single instructor and every single team member who has supported Tru since the day I opened the doors.  Our success and our growth is a result of the loyalty and the love they have for Tru, which is contagious across our community.

What is different than you expected? 

As Krishna Das quotes Ghandi in song: ‘if you set expectations, you’re creating limitations and boundaries instead of limitless opportunities.’ This has always resonated with me, which inspires me to set intentions around my goals versus expectations.  This way, they can manifest and evolve without boundaries, without expectations.  As a result, I am able to mindfully observe my path toward my goals to ensure that I am always heading in the direction of what my intentions look like to me. I had always intended to give back to yoga what it has given to me, and while I had no expectation around how I would make that happen, I purposely and mindfully allowed this intention to grow into a dream of mine, and yes, it manifested itself in the way it was intended.  So, I’m intentionally sharing the gift of yoga with a beautiful community while being perpetually inspired by our profound instructors, by my amazing friends, and of course, by my extraordinary family.

As the owner you do a lot behind the scenes, but you also are an amazing instructor. What’s the biggest reward in teaching yoga? 

What is most rewarding about being an instructor is that I feel I’m a part of a personal journey for others.  I’m simply reminding others, through yoga, that everyone is their own teacher – I’m just a navigation system when I’m instructing.  In my opinion, when you are aware of your inner self, your inner teacher, then that is when you are at peace.  And when you are at peace, the universe is at peace. You must embrace self-awareness in order to live a full and abundant life. To me, there is no better reward than to play a small part in that journey with others.

You call Tru your “yoga home”, and you are very family oriented. What role does family play in your life? 

Yes, my family!  They are the primary reason why Tru even exists.  They have believed in me every step of the way and they continue to motivate me to be my best self.  Since my entire family lives either on the east coast or in the Midwest, we make every effort to see each other as often as possible.  We never miss an opportunity that allows us to be together, and those times together always includes a ton of laughing, and lots of food and drinks!  Being able to laugh with and at each other has become the medicinal cure to the adversities our family, and most families, are faced with.  My 2½ year old nephew, Owen, is the pride and joy in our family, along with the many children my cousins have continued to bring into the family!  Children light up my life and I cannot wait to have my own someday (insert the very familiar familial eye role I get from my grandparents, my aunts and uncles, my brother, my step-father and my mother each time they hear me say ‘someday’, as they would have preferred I’d already have three-five children already at this point in my life).  This is why family keeps me grounded! 

What do you look forward to for yourself and TruHarmony Yoga?

I look forward to continuing to spread the good word about yoga, as well as revisiting my own personal journey outside of the business.  As I mentioned, I want a family of my own someday, and I feel that I’m in a solid place to begin exploring that even further.  I’m excited to see what the next two-five years look like, both professionally and personally, and I’m confident that we’ll be raising our glasses together at this exact time every single year!  And yes, I look forward to that!

How are you going to honor this milestone for yourself? 

Our birthday parties are always a great time!  From our grand opening celebration two years ago to now, we’ve accomplished some pretty amazing things, and so I’m honored to recognize our community and our team at this event for all that they’ve brought over the last two years.  I’m also going to celebrate this milestone with my family who will fly in, as well as with my best friends – for me, I couldn’t ask for anything more!

What’s your favorite Chicago spot to go for celebrations? 

As most everyone knows, I love to eat!  So, anywhere with great food and great wine is where you’ll find me celebrating any and all things!  I’m a sushi lover, Italian cuisine lover, and pretty much anything with salt lover…so, share your favorite spots with me – I’m always looking for new options!

What would you like the Tru community to know as you head into year three? 

Thank you – I’m humbled by your generosity, your loyalty, and your love.  Cheers to many many more!

As we look back on the last two years, it’s amazing to see the clients who have been with us since the very beginning. Marnie is one of those, and we couldn’t be happier to continue seeing her on her mat again and again. Here’s more on her journey and how she celebrates in style….

You’ve been with Tru since the very beginning. What has kept you coming back over the years?

I always come back to Tru because of the amazing instructors. Not to mention the fact that the yoga keeps challenging me both physically and mentally, and has me in the best shape of my life.  The heat does more for my skin than anything I can do cosmetically, which gives me the opportunity to not only feel younger but look younger.  I love the sense of community with Tru, because you are always are thinking of new ways to bring us together.  Everyone feels welcome and it never feels clicky like other studios I have been too. 

What sort of changes have you seen over time at Tru?

I have seen the community grow, I have seen more and more talented and amazing instructors being hired, I have seen a nice variety in the types of classes available that focus on strength, balance and serenity.  I have seen opportunities in making yoga affordable for everyone.

How about your own personal transformation… What has two years of yoga done for you?

I am balanced first and foremost.  My husband and I both work hard and play hard and the yoga keeps me healthy and balanced along with that. I am newly married and have become a step mom to a 7 year old boy.  The yoga helps me to be more present and patient with my son and myself in this new role. Did I mention I am also in the best shape of my life, I think I did already… so I repeat myself!

We’re celebrating a big milestone, our 2nd birthday! What milestones are you reaching in your own life?

Almost two years of marital bliss.  And three years at the same company, and I still love my job.

What’s your favorite way to honor the big moments in life (aka party)?

Good people, good laughs, and good wine and champagne of course.

You and your husband own a wine bar. You probably cheers to special moments there. Tell us more about it.

Like Tru, Cuvvee Cellars gives you a sense of community. We have the same people come back over and over again to celebrate special occasions or simply to hang out.  Yes lots of cheers go on at Cuvee with an amazing selection of wine, champagne, beer and spirits. 

When you’re not in class or working, where can we find you?

Date night with my husband, or watching TV with my Puggle. I enjoy trying new restaurants with my husband and/or friends. And of course, wine events and spending time at Cuvee Cellars.  We savor quarterly trips to Napa, where we take customers on VIP wine tours. 

What do you see in the future for TruHarmony?

An additional studio in another great location in Chicago.  More class times, more types of classes and a much larger and even more amazing community.

What is in the future for you?

To continue on the path that I am on with grace, gratitude and perseverance.

What do you recommend we do to celebrate two amazing years?

Bring everyone together first and foremost, some appetizers, refreshments, perhaps wine and lots of toasting to a celebrate ourselves and this amazing community we are all a big part of.

This instructor has got it going on! Check out what Michelle is up to, how she shakes things up, and what keeps her smiling day after day.

How did you get into yoga?

I first got into yoga purely for the physical benefits when I had just graduated college in Denver, CO.  I found it extremely challenging, but still found I put it in the same category as a run or bike ride to get some good exercise.  It wasn’t until I moved to Chicago 6 years ago that my yoga practice really took on new and amazing meaning.  Suddenly, all of the yoga beyond asana came rushing into my life full force, and I just couldn’t get enough.  It was then that I knew I needed to teach.

How did that impact your life?

Yoga has made me happier.  I’m not sure how else to put it.  It brings joy to my life in a way that I never really even understood was possible before.  It has obviously made me physically stronger, but, more amazingly than that, it has made me realize my inner strength.

What are your favorite things about teaching?

I love giving yoga to others and being a part of their journey through this amazing practice; it is such a gift!  I also think it’s totally fun, of course!

How and when did you get connected to Tru?

Interestingly, I took over a sculpt class at TeamiFit that Megan Chappel used to teach before she moved to Tru.  After being there for a little while, Megan approached me asking if I’d like to join the Tru family, and I was so happy to say yes!

What do you do to ensure that your classes are fresh and exciting week after week?

I write a new flow for each class and always make sure to include the music that is inspiring me that week.  I also love to get input from the class, which can take the class in different directions than even I had planned for.

What keeps you inspired?

Seeing students practicing yoga always inspire me to continue teaching.  After a 60 minute sculpt class at Tru, I always feel so amazing!  Sharing in that experience always brings me back to the passion I have for teaching.  It’s awesome!

What do you do outside of teaching?

I am a physician assistant at Northwestern in plastic surgery.  We mostly do breast reconstruction for patients with breast cancer.  I truly love my job.  I also have a small start up t-shirt company, called LuminosiTEES, which is so personally inspiring for me!  It’s cool to see my passion manifested in a company I created with my best friend; I love it!  Besides work, I also volunteer with Bright Pink organizing their monthly outreach program events.

The snow is gone, the sun is out…. what do you love about Spring in Chicago?

I am an outdoor activity FIEND.  Regardless of the season, I run and bike, but it’s really wonderful to realize how much easier those things become when the weather is getting nicer.  I love seeing the trees bloom and finally hearing the birds again.  If you’ve never watched a sunrise on Lake Michigan in the spring, please do it!  It’s awesome.

What are you most excited about that’s coming up for you?

Difficult question…I really find excitement in so many things I do day to day that it’s hard to say!  I am going on a family vacation to Germany and Norway to celebrate my grandparents this summer.  It’s been over 10 years since we’ve all traveled together…exciting, and maybe a bit scary…?

You’re hosting a yoga bar crawl this month, what’s that? And how can one get involved?

I’m so excited for this!  Creating community in yoga is one thing I’ve found has really heightened my experiences in yoga in the past year.  The pub crawl will be a great way to bring our amazing community together outside the studio, which I’m really looking forward to!  I’ll teach a rockin’ sculpt class, and then we’ll all head out to some nearby bars.  We’ll ALL be sweaty, so, no worries about attire; safety in numbers. It’s going to be so fun!

If you could tell yogis one thing to revitalize their practices this month, what would it be?

Have FUN with your yoga practice this month!  Finding joy in yoga can help you be more present for your practice, and will light any fire that might be dwindling.  

We’re so excited to feature Danielle this month. She has so much passion and conviction, she is a dedicated instructor and loving friend, and within all that she has an amazing sense of humor! 

Do you remember your very first yoga class? Tell us about it.

My first Yoga class was during my freshman year of college in 2002. I was a bit overwhelmed, in a major adjustment period and suffered my first heart break. I knew very little about Yoga, but after I left I felt lighter, and I wanted more. I’d never moved my body in that way, really focused on my breath as a energy changing mechanism, and was challenged with the concept of turning the volume down inside my mind. It was a lot to process but I was intrigued and infatuated with the calm that set over my mind, body and heart after class. 

You got certified in New York City, at Sonic Yoga. What was that experience like? 

After my initial study of Yoga under a Hatha yogi in Sicily, and my foray into teaching Pilates and Yoga there, I went to Sonic because I loved New York and knew I’d have nothing less than a transformative experience there. The teacher training was very engrossing, intense and overwhelming. I connected with people who’ve become major staples in my life, from my master teachers and mentors to my fellow alumni. This is where I began to integrate the principles of asana (the physical practice, poses, postures, sequences, vinyasa, etc.) with the even more important mind, heart and soulful limbs, the incredible tool that is the breath, the elevating potential in chanting and meditating, and the purely connective power this practice has. I learned so much about myself, my fears, my strengths, and how better to balance it all. There will never be enough gratitude and words to express toward Sonic, but I’m certainly aiming to make them proud as I carry on what they taught me. 

How did you get connected to TruHarmony Yoga?

When I moved to Chicago, I knew no one. While living downtown for a few weeks apartment and job hunting, I visited quite a few studios, shared my resume and desire to teach here in Chicago. I corresponded with now friend and Tru’s badass teacher, Amanda Nora, to set up an audition. I taught her and our fearless leader, Megan, along with a couple other students during our 630 am Sunrise Vinyasa one morning. I loved the space and the vibe of the studio and of the community there. It built gradually from then on.

You have a bit of a following at Tru , what do you think is the reason people come back week after week?

I’m very grateful and fortunate to have some really smart, interesting and open people as consistent staples in my classes. Some I’m lucky enough to now call friends. I’ve always marched to the beat of my own drum. I think when applied kindly, Yoga can bring more of your genuine self out of you, and I may resonate with some and not with others, but I think the reason I’ve connected with those I have is because our frequencies match up. I’m being myself and sharing what I feel is a transformative and beautiful way of life, so they can experience that same goodness and bliss Yoga gives to, and extracts from, me. A sense of humor about myself and life in general is something I carry in and out of the studio, and so our practice together is always meant to bring the fun and ease out of each of us. The students know I’m on the journey too, no better or worse, just sharing what I know and embracing what I don’t know with them. That connection alone is why I love teaching Yoga. 

What’s the strangest thing someone has ever asked you in class?

My level of honesty can be disarming at times, but truthfully I’ve received some awesomely interesting questions about how specific poses and the practices in general are meant to make someone feel, engage or even affect their experience off the mat. One woman flat out asked me “So I’m supposed to squeeze my vagina?” And I said,”Yep, engage your hoohaa.” This was not at Tru, but it was here in Chicago and it was relating to engaging the pelvic lock/bandha. Sometimes stripping the vernacular down to basics works best. Embrace and activate the fun bits, people. Yoga certainly improves all aspects of your life and being comfortable with what was previously deemed inappropriate or unspeakable is just one great example of how yoga can connect you to yourself and others on a very real, honest and intimate level. I’ve also had someone ask if they can wear sunglasses in class, I assume because of their sensitivity to light that day. It was peculiar for sure, but certainly not a big deal. There’s no question I won’t answer; the more strange it is, the more likely we’ll both remember the conversation. 

You play really great music in class. What artists are you making sure are on your playlists right now?

I’m really lucky to know some very talented musicians and artists with great musical taste. I just absorb their influences. I create playlists based on the tone we’re working with and on. I’ve loved the Black Keys since 2006. I seem to include one or more songs from their anthology on most playlists. Their sound has evolved so depending on the mood I want to foster, one of their albums always applies. I love older music, soul, reggae, and really random artists. Sometimes I just make playlists to make the students laugh and lighten up, and sometimes the artist is so soulful and deep you cannot help but be enveloped by the sound. Consistent players beyond the Keys are Arcade Fire, The White Stripes, Radiohead, Ray LaMontagne, Architecture in Helsinki, The Naked and Famous, Bob Marley, Florence and the Machine, Ben Harper, Fleet Foxes, The Heavy, N.E.R.D., Otis Redding, Muse, Kings of Leon, and Feist. I love using composers and classical for svasana and my favorite artist making Yoga inspired music is John de Kadt. An important key to remember and one that I remind our students of consistently, is that the rhythm and pulse of their breath and hearts are the main soundtrack to their practice. The music is just bonus. Yoga can be done very well in silence and often I’ll occasionally select that over music, especially in a restorative class. 

You’re also a writer. Tell us more about that, and how it connects to your yoga practice.

Yoga most certainly was instrumental in giving me the courage to get over myself and get into writing. On Sundays I write articles about food, mostly about one of the many great restaurants Chicago has to offer, or I’ll share a travel experience I’ve had recently. On Wednesdays I write about comedy, films, great TV shows, music, events and experiences I’ve had, and more consistently I share some lesson or piece of insight I’ve gleaned from others, from personal mistakes and from the endless wealth of wisdom that is Yoga. What I’ve recognized through eating, practicing Yoga, traveling and being inspired by others is the through-line that we are all more alike than different, happiness is experienced internally first, externally second, and the notions of acceptance and presence are key in lasting contentment and success. 

What’s one thing you’re working on right now? 

Last Fall, Megan and TruHarmony were kind enough to let me merge my two passions. I had the gift of being a student and reflecting my experiences in my fellow teacher’s classes. I absolutely loved that opportunity and I plan to write more through Spring. I’m working every week on publishing at least two pieces, whether it be articles, passages or poems for mastic8onthis. I’m working on improving my writing site danieatslife.wordpress.com (titled mastic8onthis) and my yoga page; You, Me and Yoga Makes 3, which is challenging but mostly a labor of love. I am fueled with enthusiasm and inspiration, in Yoga and in writing. I feel very grateful and eager to keep working hard. 

What do you do when you’re not teaching or practicing yoga?

When I’m not practicing Yoga or writing, I love to eat and laugh, preferably all at the same time, carefully of course, with as little food falling out of the mouth as possible. I grew up with an engrained love and appreciation for quality, homemade food, especially of the Italian variety. I eat everything, with gratitude, and if it’s really great, I’ll write about it. I love my dogs and funny, down to Earth people. I’m also an innate traveler, mainly because I love to eat authentic food and absorb how other people live. Even just meandering to another neighborhood in the city is very stimulating. I have many passions. I love all forms of art. I love philosophy and reading different stories relating to Yoga. I sincerely am jazzed to be alive, so when I’m not practicing Yoga, I just try to experience every bit of goodness I can. 

You’re leading the Earth Hour class on March 31st, we want to know more. What can we expect? And what is the event about? 

I’m beyond excited and appreciative for the opportunity to teach the Earth Hour event at Tru. With Worldwide participation, including the city of Chicago, this eco-conscious effort consists of the simple act in turning off the power and lights for one hour. For Chicago, this takes place between 830-930 p.m. During the event, which takes place from 8-10, we’ll have a one hour Candlelight Yoga class, with the accompaniment of a djembe player. We’ll also provide useful, takeaway information on how we can all bring more consciousness into our decisions, even beyond turning off the lights, and a few other details to make the evening a well-rounded, enriching night out. Participants can also see part of the proceeds of this event given toward an organization dedicated to promoting more awareness around the earth and all its inhabitants. 

What do you want to be remembered for in this life-time?

I hope to be remembered for my honesty, my sense of humor and my genuine enthusiasm and gratitude for life. I hope the lingering effect of my presence is jovial, helpful and passionate. 

What is one change thats come into your life recently?

I sincerely believe the resistance of change contributes to much of our unhappiness, so I’m doing my best to embrace it as much as possible, both externally and internally. A recent and very powerful change that was fueled by a variety of events last summer, is the impact and use of acceptance. The mat practice is a great metaphor for the simple truth that what you resist persists. I spent much of my past resisting my flaws, negativity, failure, whether it be through avoidance or action, and the end result was more of the same. Accepting yourself, head to toe, mind, body and heart, while letting go of comparison and your previous patterns, will open you to following your goodness and strengths, surrounding yourself with people who elevate you, and relinquishing attempts to control or affect those who challenge you. I am forever a work in progress, but to feel the authentic progress inside, to be happier every single day, just because, is in large part due to acceptance of what is, however that showcases itself in this moment. 

Any advice for Tru yogis?

Everything you experience in life, on and off the mat, is a reflection of your mood, tone, attitude, energy, vibe, whatever word you choose to describe your internal state. Everything you are is already enough. We are alive. That alone, in and of itself, is enough for us to be grateful and stoked. Let go of comparison, expectation and seeking happiness out, and recognize that peace and contentment is already apart of who you are inside. Each teacher is grateful to have you, honored to pass on this amazing practice and you are an imperative part of our growth as human beings. We just hope to be a positive and encouraging piece of your life’s puzzle.