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Breathing Through Uncertainty: Yoga, Presence, and Purpose – with Luke Ketterhagen

In this uplifting episode of the Business Elevation Show, Chris Cooper is joined by Luke Ketterhagen—yoga teacher, wellness guide, blueberry farmer, and faculty member at the Himalayan Institute.

From a childhood in rural Wisconsin to studying under a Himalayan master, Luke has spent over two decades teaching yoga, meditation, and breathing techniques around the world.

Chris and Luke explored how simple daily practices can transform anxiety into purposeful action, and why now—more than ever—we must tap into our innate tools to regulate our nervous systems, expand awareness, and contribute to a better world.

Expect practical wisdom, experiential breathing, and reflections on community, culture, and the joy of picking blueberries. A heartfelt conversation on human potential and amplifying good.

Here are some key takeaways from the interview:

The Power of Pause and Breathe – Luke introduced a practical technique right at the beginning of the interview: pausing, becoming present, and taking a few conscious breaths. He emphasised that this simple activity can help ground you, calm your mind, and improve your ability to show up authentically in daily life and business.
Benefits of Conscious Breathing – Conscious breathwork is more than just a physical necessity; it links the unconscious and conscious minds. By bringing awareness to our breathing, we regulate our nervous systems, release tension, and improve emotional balance. Even short periods of focused breathing can lead to tangible physiological benefits.
Presence, Intuition, and Letting Go – Techniques like breathwork and meditation help bring us into the present, quiet the busy “thought process,” and attune us to our intuition. Luke described how these practices can help us let go of emotional baggage and restrictive habits, often without us realising how much we’re holding on to.
Community and Connection – Practicing meditation, yoga, and conscious breathing in a group setting can amplify the benefits, creating support, cultivating vulnerability, and connecting people not just physically but also energetically and emotionally.
Movement with Breath: The Foundation of Yoga – Luke outlined four pillars for daily practice: movement coordinated with breath, conscious breathing, relaxation, and meditation. Even just a few minutes a day of these practices can make a significant difference.
Simplicity and Integration – You don’t have to dedicate large blocks of time; integrating short moments of mindfulness and breathwork into your regular routine—such as while waiting for your coffee—can be as effective. Consistency and coupling these moments with existing habits are key.
The Value of Retreats and Immersion – For deeper experiences, Luke recommended attending a retreat or intensive class. Getting out of your usual environment helps break ingrained habits, and these immersive experiences offer momentum and deep integration.
All Cultures, All People: A Universal Message – Luke highlighted the universal goodness in people everywhere. Travel, yoga, and cultural immersion teach us to look past negative narratives and see the love and beauty present globally.
Nature as a Teacher – Through his work as an organic blueberry farmer, Luke drawed parallels to personal growth: nature’s resilience and adaptability inspire us to do the best with what we’ve been given, regardless of circumstances.
Resources and Next Steps – Luke offered a free guided relaxation on his website. Even eight minutes can help restore calm and clarity. He encouraged listeners to experiment with small commitments and consider participating in more immersive experiences when ready.

One of the greatest things that we can do is to show up as we are. And one of the ways to do that is to understand the power of pause.
– Luke Ketterhagen

This episode is packed with practical wisdom and reassurance for anyone feeling stressed or ungrounded. Luke’s approachable techniques and insights can help you bring more presence, resilience, and purpose into your day—no matter how busy or uncertain life feels.

You can listen to this Business Elevation Show interview with Chris Cooper & Luke Ketterhagen here. Alternatively on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Tunein, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio (latter US only).

More about Luke Ketterhagen:

Luke was raised in rural WI by his parents – a couple of ex hippies – an educator and a nurse. Their home was imbued with a passion for spirituality and wellness, driven by a longing to create a community of like-minded people.

This love of knowledge and all things natural was a catalyst for Luke. After graduating magna cum laude with a degree in biomedical sciences from Marquette University, Luke immersed himself in the studies and practices of the Himalayan Tradition. He spent seven years in residence at the Himalayan Institute to study with his teacher, yoga and meditation master Pandit Rajmani Tigunait. This fueled Luke’s passion to share this powerful knowledge with others. Trained in the yoga teacher program in August of 1999, Luke became part of the teaching faculty at the Himalayan Institute.

Luke and his wife, Kourtney proceeded to open yoga studios in Dallas, TX, the Hudson Valley in NY, and in Venice, CA, where they hosted traditional fire offerings (havan) to support the propagation of benevolent forces throughout the world. Luke continued to travel and train teachers internationally, from the Grand Cayman Islands and Dominican Republic to Brussels and the UK. Inspired by his first visit to India during the Maha Kumbha Mela, Luke founded Experience India, a cultural and spiritual excursion to help others to see outside of their world, expand their view, and create an understanding of the connection we have with people all over the world. A founding teacher on the platform, Luke has created content for YogaInternational.com since 2007 and has amassed a library of 100+ yoga classes, guided relaxations and meditations and workshops.

In addition to leading retreats at the Himalayan Institute, Luke facilitates yoga teacher training programs to help studios build community. His website, www.LukeKetterhagen.com has a relaxation you can download for free.

Luke and his wife Kourtney live on their organic blueberry farm in southwest Michigan. Each summer they help continue the family’s 57 year legacy of delivering “little drops of blue medicine” to the world while their two young adult children attend college and strive towards their dreams.