Knappy has been coming to the studio for about a year now. Because he does not have the use of his legs, when he first started showing up, I’ll admit, we were all a little bit concerned about how yoga could help him and what we would be able to offer him. Despite this obvious physical limitation, we quickly learned that he was dedicated to his yoga practice in a way that those of us are not as limited, could never even experience. It was clearly a different, but equally valid form of yoga.

Working with Knappy has taught us a lot about what yoga can ‘look’ like, what yoga can do for someone in pain and also how much courage and resilience that it must take to experience such a tragedy and still have a amazing outlook on life.

In other words, I would say that we have learned more from Knappy about YOGA than he has learned from us :)

Thank you, Knappy, for teaching us so much. We are grateful to have you in our community.

Here’s a bit more about Knappy:

Hometown: I was born and raised in the fun center of Ohio, Mansfield. Lived in Colorado and had two kids, moved back to Ohio until retiring to Chicago in 2005.

Sign: Scorpio

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Movie: The Good, the bad and the ugly

Favorite Meal: Crab legs

What brought you to yoga?

Pain from being paralyzed after being hit by a car riding my bicycle June 17th, 2004

What are the benefits you have experienced from a regular yoga practice?

Yoga has done more for me in the five years I have practiced than any drug prescribed by any doctor ever.

What brought you to TULA?

Tula is in my neighborhood and I love supporting local places

What is your favorite after-yoga activity?

I enjoy eating out after yoga at one of my favorite places like Revolution

3 Fun facts about me:

I enjoy reading history

I am considering running for public office like President of the United States or mayor of Logan Square

I retired here from roofing in Ohio in 2005