Community Spotlight: Liza L.
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 student Liza in our Community Spotlight series!
Liza has been practicing yoga on and off for over twenty years, most consistently for the past three years. Read on for more about her time, experience, and relationship to yoga and Pilates and our studio. Thank you, Liza, for your dedication and for being an important part of our vibrant YCC community!
What brought you to yoga, Pilates, meditation and/or qigong?
I got back into the studio because I had always loved yoga and was looking for something physical to do after work. What I didn't quite realize was that I needed an outlet to quiet my mind after work.
What do you like best about your practice? Do you have a favorite concentration or quality in your study or practice?
What I like best is that I have the opportunity to challenge myself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Although overweight, I've practiced handstands: slowly at first, but then I became more confident over time. I've had the chance to work on flexibility and strength in a supportive atmosphere.
Do you have a favorite teacher? If so, what do you enjoy about their teaching style?
I have three favorite yoga teachers: Bita, Lucy and Kelly. Bita is incredibly kind and I enjoy the athletic nature of her class. She opens the door for me to be a better practitioner. I also love that she incorporates poetry into the course. Lucy is terrific and knowledgeable and quick to make accommodations and to help me find alignment in the pose. Kelly is an amazing teacher and her classes are well planned out. For a long time, I tried to crack Kelly's code on poses and sequencing: what made her class challenging? Was it the sequencing of poses? Length of time in the poses? Finally, I realized that she told a story through movement. It's not something you can intellectually recognize but it's a beautiful thing. I love all the instructors and they all bring something unique and wonderful to the studio. I also enjoy Karen's Pilates class. She's positive and bubbly and appreciates good technique. I've appreciated her focus on balance and dynamic movement.
What have you learned or how have you grown since becoming a YCC community member?
I'm learning to quiet my mind more and to slow down. I've learned about anatomy, Sanskrit, and yoga philosophy. I've learned that I'm willing to try challenging poses and sequences and that I'm willing to work hard to eventually move through the full expression of a pose.
What is your most memorable trip or experience relating to your yoga, Pilates, meditation and/or qigong practice?
Doing a leg split up the wall where the bottom leg dangled. I had tried for a really long time to accomplish that pose and then one day I just did it.
I also attended the [weekend] workshop with Doug Keller and have been on several trips with studio instructors: Italy with Bita, Morocco with Karen and Costa Rica with Lucy and Kelly.
Do you have a favorite pose, quote, or mantra related to your practice? What is it and why?
Namaste Y'all!
What is your favorite part of being part of the YCC family?
It's a community of kind and accepting people. There is genuine care for others in the studio and it's a great place to make new friends.
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: 2 weeks of unlimited classes for $49. 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.
