Batavia yoga teacher Linda Karl believes that yoga can help a person in every part of his or her life.

Karl, the founder of Metta Yoga, is one of only two Chicago-area yoga teachers featured in the book Conversations With Modern Yogis.

Kane County Chronicle reporter Eric Schelkopf had the chance to talk to Karl about the book.

Eric Schelkopf: You had your first public OM in 1973 with beat poet Allen Ginsberg. Can you tell me about that?

Linda Karl: Well, I was in junior college in Chicago. At the time it was called Southwest College, but now its called Richard J. Daley College.

Allen Ginsberg came to do a reading of his poem Howl. He was a Buddhist, and we all just kind of sat around and chanted.

Schelkopf: Was that a life-changing experience?

Karl: I dont know about changing my life. But it was interesting. Allen Ginsberg and his writings were very popular with the counter-culture at that time.

After the poetry reading, a bunch of us went out to a party with him. Everybody just kind of sat around and hung on his every word, so to speak. It was pretty cool.

Schelkopf: Of course, you are featured in this book, Conversations With Modern Yogis.

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Chit Chat: Batavia yoga teacher featured in new book