Community Spotlight: Tracy 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 student Tracy in our Community Spotlight series!
Tracy has been practicing yoga for eight years, and calls the YCC her “3rd place,” where she joins us five days a week to enjoy the YCC community, manage anxiety and stress, and increase her strength and flexibility. Outside of the yoga studio, Tracy is a teacher who enjoys gardening, walking, hiking, pottery, and travel. Read on for more about Tracy’s time, experience, and relationship to yoga and our studio. Thank you, Tracy, for your dedication and for being an important part of our vibrant YCC community!
What brought you to yoga, Pilates, meditation and/or qigong?
A friend introduced me to yoga and I fell in love with the way it made me feel. I first started studying with Kate Anderson in 2018 and have followed her to YCC. I am so grateful for her introducing me to the YCC.
What do you like best about your practice? Do you have a favorite concentration or quality in your study or practice?
I love how grounded and strong yoga makes me feel. I love alignment-based yoga that includes pranayama, which is exactly why I love the YCC and why I'm here 5 days a week! I've set a challenge for myself that this is the year I'm finally going to do a full inversion so I've been working on building strength. I just learned how to do pincha/forearm stand using blocks and I am so excited. I learned how to kick up! Now, all I need to do is continue working on my strength so I can get to a handstand before the end of the year! All of this is possible because of the strength and flexibility I've gained from yoga.
Do you have a favorite teacher? If so, what do you enjoy about their teaching style?
I love the alignment focused instruction from Rimmi, Kelly, and Lucy. Kate helped to inspire my love of yoga. Rimmi helped to teach me the importance of alignment and breathing. My favorite way to start my weekend is with yoga and meditation with Chris. I love the creativity and variety of modifications that Lucy and Bita offer. Jen and Karen have helped me build so much core strength!!
What have you learned or how have you grown since becoming a YCC community member?
I feel like I have found my 3rd place! I love it at the YCC. I love the community feel and how welcoming each class has been. The YCC has helped me better manage my anxiety and stress. It has also shown me how strong I am and what I am capable of, which is a lot!
What is your most memorable trip or experience relating to your yoga, Pilates, meditation and/or qigong practice?
My first yoga retreat with Kelly to Costa Rica was life changing. I found a community of like-minded people who love to travel, who are adventurous, and love yoga. It was wonderful to be surrounded by such natural beauty while connecting with such strong, intelligent, fun people!
Do you have a favorite pose, quote, or mantra related to your practice? What is it and why?
"Breathing in, I calm my body and my mind. Breathing out, I smile." -Thich Nhat Hanh This quote really speaks to how yoga, pranayama and meditation have helped me get in touch with my true self, helped me to appreciate the beautiful world around me, and to be so grateful for this wonderful life I've created for myself.
What is your favorite part of being part of the YCC family?
Knowing I'm practicing in a studio that values me as a person, teaches all parts of yoga -- not just asana (and it's never viewed as just a workout), with high-quality instructors, and that fosters community!
Would you like to share any community events in which you are participating or community organizations that you support?
I attend Catonsville Pride every year as an ally and love how community oriented the organization is. I also love animals and support the MDSPCA. I have one pet, a Plott Hound mix named Clover Beans. She is a sight hound so she loves to bake in the sun and keep an eye on the neighborhood (particularly the squirrels, birds, and fox). She loves it when I roll out my yoga mat -- she'll come right over and curl up on me or demand attention.
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.
