Lauren Leduc talks opening Karma Tribe Yoga, not apologizing anymore, doing yoga on Mars and more in The Pitch Questionnaire

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Name: Lauren Leduc

Occupation: Yoga teacher, founder of Karma Tribe Yoga and Pop-Up Yoga KC

Twitter handle: @PopUpYogaKC

Hometown: I grew up in Lee’s Summit, moved to Chicago and Tampa, and am now back (with pride) in Kansas City.

Current neighborhood: I just moved from Valentine to Manheim Park. I am in love with all of the culturally rich neighborhoods that are alive with beautiful old homes, big trees and diverse family life in KC.

What I do: My mission is to make yoga accessible and visible to the people of KC, aiming to include and embrace all backgrounds and income levels.

What’s your addiction? Handstands. I like to get upside down even in the least appropriate of places. It just feels so good!

What’s your game? Lately, I’m really enjoying the game Monument Valley. I also find playing skee ball at Up-Down quite addicting, and I’m obsessed with luring friends and family into a game of Cards Against Humanity.

What’s your drink? Water, coffee, chai, kombucha, coconut water, cold-pressed juice, tequila on the rocks, vodka with pickle juice, Old Fashioneds, and all the yummy local craft brews.

Where’s dinner? I’m an herbivore, so I appreciate anywhere I can get a great plant-based meal. Füd, Lulu’s, Eden Alley, Blue Koi, Café Gratitude, KC Taco Company, Beer Kitchen and Nara are a few of my faves! My husband is an amazing cook, so home is always a great place for dinner.

Finish these sentences: “Kansas City got it right when …” They started to really embrace local. Supporting local businesses has been such an awesome way to build hometown pride and to support our economy.

“Kansas City screwed up when …” Allowing, over many decades, for Troost to become a racial dividing line in this city.

“Kansas City needs …” Quality schools.

“As a kid, I wanted to be …” A mermaid. I still do!

“In five years, I’ll be …” Doing yoga on Mars! Five years ago, I couldn’t have imagined where I’d be right now. I’m gonna keep doing my thing, and I’m sure that whatever that leads to in five years is beyond my current imagination.

“I’ve been known to binge-watch …” Mad Men, Game of Thrones, True Detective, Parks and Recreation, True Blood, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.

“I can’t stop listening to …” Johnny Greenwood Is the Controller, a fantastic old-school reggae compilation; Clinton Fearon; Tame Impala; Of Montreal; David Bowie; Queen; and the Beatles.

“My dream concert lineup is …” David Bowie and Freddie Mercury, forever and ever.

“I just read …” Osho’s Yoga: the Science of the Soul and Wild by Cheryl Strayed. I like to keep a good balance by reading one book for spiritual growth and one for pleasure at the same time.

What’s your hidden talent? I’m a very proficient sleeper. Some may say it’s a weakness, but I like to think of myself as the Michael Jordan of sleeping.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure? I’ll admit here to all of Kansas City that I truly love all The Bachelor shows, unabashedly and without irony.

The best advice I ever got: Get out of your comfort zone.

Worst advice: Stop dreaming.

My sidekick: My sidekick is a sassy, grumpy, little fluff ball of a cat named Bowie. He’s my everything.

What is your spirit animal? Definitely a unicorn but with the sleeping habits of a cat. A catacorn.
Who is your hero? Anyone who embraces compassion for themselves and for others.

Who is your nemesis? People who do not feel that it’s necessary to treat other beings and the world we live in with respect.

What’s your greatest struggle right now? Embracing nonattachment. There are so many wonderful things I want for myself, this community and this world. I constantly have to remind myself that it’s important to do the work without attachment to the outcome and that I’ll find contentment only when I embrace trust.

My dating triumph/tragedy: I’ve been married for almost three years, so luckily my dating tragedies (and trust me, there are many) can stay where they belong … in the past!

My brush with fame: Over the years, I’ve met a good handful of famous/semi-famous people through various jobs. My personal favorite was Twiggy. She’s the sweetest!

My soapbox: Yoga means “union,” and I want to help myself and others discover what that means and to experience what that feels like as a modern human on this Earth. We can take both personal and communal steps to break down unhelpful barriers and to live and work together with compassion, authenticity and respect. We have so much potential to tap into!

What was the last thing you had to apologize for? I can’t remember. I, like many women, am in the habit of constantly apologizing to others. We feel like we have to apologize for being strong, having opinions and taking up space. I’m done with that bullshit.

Who’s sorry now? Not me!

My recent triumph: Stepping out of my comfort zone and having the ovaries to step up as a leader in this community with Pop-Up Yoga. My near-future triumph is opening a donation-based yoga studio, Karma Tribe Yoga, on September 14. KTY, with the help and support of many, will provide a place of growth, transformation and community to anyone who is seeking it. I am beyond stoked, proud and ready!