Community Spotlight: Brett & Tina S.
At the Yoga Center of Columbia, we value our students and community, who help us to learn and grow as much as our experienced and skillful instructors. Today we would like to spotlight and extend our gratitude and support to YCC students Brett and Tina S. in our Community Spotlight series!
Brett and Tina have been a part of the YCC community for over eight years, and value the variety and benefits from their yoga, Pilates, and meditation practices. Read on for more about their time, experience, and relationship to yoga and our studio. Thank you, Brett and Tina, for your dedication and for being an important part of our vibrant YCC community!
What brought you to yoga, Pilates, meditation and/or qigong?
Our then pre-teen daughter started going to pre-teen/teen yoga (which she did until age 18), and then we started taking classes as well. Brett developed knee pain and–after physical therapy–discovered that Yoga 1 really helped keep his knee strong and flexible. Tina had started developing leg, neck, ankle and shoulder pains and found that yoga and myofascial release classes gave her good strategies for stretching and caring for her body. She also discovered that Pilates has helped her regain abdominal muscle strength she had lost due to neglecting that area. Brett also joined the New Dawn Sangha with Tim McCormack (RIP) and sits with them most Sunday mornings.
What do you like best about your practice? Do you have a favorite concentration or quality in your study or practice?
We have dabbled in most of the introductory classes at the Yoga Center as our schedules and abilities have allowed. We like being guided through whatever we are doing, either yoga or Pilates. The instructors clearly are dedicated and passionate about helping others.
Do you have a favorite teacher? If so, what do you enjoy about their teaching style?
We've liked all the ones we've had, honestly. Kate got us up to speed on Saturdays for a long time; Karen's cheerful guidance in Pilates is always a treat; Rimmi pushes us to improve (in a nice way!)
What have you learned or how have you grown since becoming a YCC community member?
When we started, we knew nothing and had trouble with many of the postures. Now we know a little and have slightly less trouble. The biggest growth for Brett has been letting go of mastery and just settling into the practice of Yoga, much as he works with meditation. We can't remember a time when we have regretted a class afterwards.
Do you have a favorite pose, quote, or mantra related to your practice? What is it and why?
"I have more than enough conditions to be happy." From the Five Mindfulness Trainings.
Do you have any current favorite books, philosophies, or teachers in your area of focus and what or who are they?
As a member of a sangha in the Plum Village tradition, I would say Thich Nhat Hanh. His story and his branch of "Engaged Buddhism" takes the best part of mindfulness meditation and ties it to social justice.
What is your favorite part of being part of the YCC family?
YCC is one of our third places—it's such a nice, calm, welcoming community. We are filled with gratitude that we have YCC in our life.
Would you like to share any community events in which you are participating or community organizations that you support?
We are members of Glen Mar UMC where we participate in a lot of their community outreach and support events, such as the Day Shelter. After my [Brett’s] cardiac arrest last fall and subsequent heart surgery, I am a supporter of the American Heart Association and CPR/IED awareness and training (see this story from the Howard County Police Department:
https://patch.com/maryland/columbia/strangers-save-mans-life-after-sustaining-heart-attack
What is your profession or a hobby outside of the studio?
Our major hobby is reading. Brett also adds a side of jogging; Tina adds a side of gardening and regular fitness classes at the Ellicott City 50+ Fitness Center. We also enjoy listening to jazz. We've been enjoying the live music at Backwater Books in Ellicott City recently. Hoping to expand on these activities. We also have a small terrier named Vickie, and a short haired grey and white tux cat named Denim, both from BARCS.
The Yoga Center of Columbia has been supporting our community's health and well-being since 1992. We offer yoga, Pilates, meditation, and qigong in four classrooms in Columbia, Maryland — in-person and online. Click for details or to register for our 100+ weekly Classes and our specialty Workshops !
New to the studio? Try out our New Student Special: 3 weeks of unlimited classes for $59. Already a student? Ask us about our Refer and Earn program — because the people in your life who need to move are waiting for someone to invite them.
