Good People of vitruta: Ece Karaarslan Ünver

Welcome to Good People of vitruta, Ece! Let's start with the hardest question. :) Who is Ece Karaaslan Ünver? What has she done, how did she start, and how is it going?

If I had answered this question 3-4 years ago, I would have described myself as a manager and expert in technology and digital payment systems, as well as a yoga instructor. Today, this expression defines me better: "I am someone on a journey to becoming a better version of myself, exploring my true self, and experiencing what it means to be human, in order to make the world we live in a better place."

The change I’m talking about began when I entered a "yoga" class at the gym I joined for a fitter body, something that everyone is familiar with. Through focusing, balance work, and body movements with breath awareness, my perception of myself and the world clearly changed. As I changed, I delved further into it. Tantra wisdom and Reiki came my way.

As I started facing life's downs with more resilience, and learned to look courageously at the darkness, life began offering its gifts and opportunities more clearly.

Searching for oneself is not an easy path, there are many challenges, especially for someone as emotional as me. I walk this life journey, stumbling along the way. Right now, I am happier and more satisfied than I have ever been at any point in my life. In fact, I don’t think there is such a thing as "being at a place." I’m on the journey. I love being on the path and sharing my experiences.

By the way, I still work in the financial technology world, while also teaching thematic yoga classes and receiving meditation instructor training.

I think yoga holds a special place in the hustle of corporate life, what do you think?

As a child, I used to watch my sister and imagine what she was wearing when she went to the office. I would picture myself in those clothes, imagining I was a successful businesswoman. And that’s exactly how it turned out. :) I started my career in banking. (My parents were also bankers.) I always cared about making work life fun for myself and my colleagues. Thanks to my emotional intelligence and perfectionist approach, I quickly advanced. However, this focus on success, my expectations of myself, and the desire to meet others' expectations at the highest level brought stress with it. While awareness of stress is necessary for development, the stress I created for myself was causing tension and blockages in my body. It wasn’t until I couldn’t get out of bed that I realized something was wrong and I had to address it immediately.

For someone used to doing everything right and perfectly, practicing "doing enough" is not easy. I realized that yoga entering my life wasn’t a coincidence. It appeared in front of me to help me see patterns of behavior like extreme perfectionism and other energy-draining habits. That was when I realized I was ready to go deeper; I broke the belief that I couldn't handle both work and training as an instructor.

Yes, yoga and similar practices hold a completely different place in the rush of corporate life. They became a balancing factor for me. As I got closer to balance, I started to pass on what I had learned. The more I shared, the more space opened up. I realized that not having time was an acquired helplessness. I now work at a technology company with greater responsibilities, perhaps more intensely, but at the same time, I am in a 280-hour meditation training. Especially meditation; it’s an essential practice that awakens everyone from the addiction to 'thinking,' regardless of whether they work or not.

What would you recommend to people interested in yoga, in terms of what to watch, read, or listen to?

If we use yoga in its broadest sense—body, mind, and emotion unity—my first recommendation would be Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now. This year, I am reading it for the third time with Serdar Prem. As a person changes, their perception and understanding change as well. This time, I am highlighting entirely different parts of the book.

Other books I recommend are Women Who Run with the Wolves, The Process of Being, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, and The Four Agreements.

Films: Frequencies, Be Here Now, Samadhi Movie, and Peaceful Warrior.

I also recommend following experts like Serdar Prem, Zeynep Aksoy, Sema Demirkan, and Berrak Yurdakul on podcasts and YouTube for content on yoga, tantra, mindfulness, and meditation.

One of vitruta’s standout features is its Scandinavian aesthetic and the number of Swedish brands it represents. You’re also someone who loves Sweden and Stockholm—how would you describe that culture to us? What do you usually do when you visit Stockholm?

I think Sweden is the country where I truly understood Montesquieu’s Climate Theory, which I learned in high school. :) People born and raised in colder climates tend to be more reserved and value their individuality. It takes longer for them to warm up compared to Mediterranean people. Since it’s usually cold and dark, they rush to the seaside in swimsuits as soon as the sun comes out.

They place a high value on human rights, equality, sustainability, and healthy living. It’s also one of the most welcoming countries for diverse sexual orientations. Since it’s an aging society, the government provides support per child to families. After birth, both mothers and fathers get equal leave, with about 12 months of leave that parents can split. With nearly 60% tax from citizens, the state provides free access to basic needs like healthcare and education. I’d say their lifestyle is built on simplicity—their homes are furnished with simple colors and minimal furniture.

Even as a summer and sun lover, I can say that I’m also in love with Stockholm’s winter. Each season has its own charm. Though it gets dark around 2 PM in winter, the ease of living (cost aside) and the culture draw you in. I’ve probably visited 15 times, and I’ve never been bored—not easy to get bored in a city where deer wander into your backyard. :)

Every time I visit, I make sure to stop by the Fotografiska museum. I stroll through the side streets of Södermalm, pop into second-hand shops. Their eye for decor is impressive; I tour every shop I see. I like to sit in a café and watch people’s fashion sense—they’re truly stylish. :) You never feel lost in the city; there’s a metro station at every corner. After work, they stop by the bar for a drink before heading home. In the evenings, they eat and drink at home, then go out for the night. They’re unique—I love it.

Finally, could you tell us your top 5 favorite brands at vitruta?

Kånken, of course! :) A brand that’s hard for me to access because I can never pronounce it right in Sweden. I also love Rains and Reebok. vitruta also supports young designers: Lar Studio and Mah-Rocare two other favorites.

You asked for 5, but I have to add a sixth now that I know it’s available: Jön Chocolate!