Karl was born in North Carolina, and he was introduced to meditation around age 10. He became a competitive swimmer, singer, dolphin communication researcher, and graduate of Duke University. He lived 6 years in NYC, taught math and science, and founded one of the world`s first web hosting companies. In 2005 he made a life-changing decision to dive deeper into yoga and meditation. He sold his business, donated his belongings, gave up his flat in Manhattan, and set off to explore a simple life with just what he could carry. This began an odyssey of 8 years during which he kept no apartment anywhere. He traveled, studied, and eventually taught in over 40 cities in 12 countries. He is continually inspired by his parents and family, students and friends, and senior teachers like Richard Freeman, Zen master Keido Fukushima, Swami Bua, David Life, Sharon Gannon, and others, to share a gentle way of life with depth, clarity, and light-heartedness.

Karl lives in Zurich Switzerland where he founded Sanctuary Zurich, a yoga studio in a historic church, and he leads events and retreats around the world.