Karuna (Carol Laursen) AYT, CYT
Karuna means "Compassion"
Karuna's first exposure to yoga was in 1976, when she learned surya namaskara (sun salutation) in a laundry room. She has studied other movement arts, including dance, Aikido, and contact improvisation. She also participated in various traditions of meditation and a summer training session at Naropa.
Karuna has had a variety of experiences and jobs, including population genetics lab manager, vocal coach, director, and hitchhiking from Oregon to Alaska to work in a fish cannery. She currently works in a cytogenics laboratory and lectures at a local college. Even with this varied background, she finds teaching yoga to be a challenge and appreciates how much it helps her to grow personally. She also finds learning to be so enjoyable that she wants to be present when others are learning as well.
Education Background
BA, Biology and Math, Reed College
MFA Acting, Ohio University Professional Actor's Training Program
Yoga Education Background
Name and Mantra Initiation from Paramahamsa Niranjanananda Saraswati, July, 2005 (Cartegena, Columbia)
Certifications, Registrations, Accreditations:
- Accredited Yoga Teacher Level 1,
- application to be a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), Yoga Alliance (500 hours) is in process
- Certified Yoga Teacher
Workshops, courses and other trainings:
- Yogic Studies 2a,
- workshops, satsangs