Team Member of the Month – September 2018

Written by Jerica on . Posted in Meet Our Community!, What's Happening at WYC?.

Please join us in celebrating our Team Member of the Month: Patricia R.! Many of you have seen Pat in the studio, as she attends an variety of classes and workshops here at Waynesville Yoga Center. We are grateful to have her calm, joyful presence in the studio – and honored to support her wellness goals.

To get to know Patricia a little better, we asked her to share a bit about herself and her journey with yoga…

  1. Tell me about your experience with yoga: how it began, where it has taken you, and how yoga has impacted your life.

I began a home practice of yoga in my early twenties. I’ve been a lifelong runner and I loved the physical aspects of yoga then; stretching and muscle strengthening. Over the last twenty years (I’m 62 yrs. old now), I began to explore the spiritual teachings of the yogic traditions; taking classes at yoga centers, attending yoga retreats, and beginning a meditation practice.

I moved to Waynesville four years ago when I retired from a deeply rewarding career as a teacher, then an elementary Principal in New York State. Over these last few years here, I continued my yoga practice; sometimes taking workshops and classes in the Asheville yoga community and at the Waynesville Recreation Center. When I learned of the opening of the Waynesville Yoga Center (just 1.3 miles from my home), I was thrilled!

I joined the Waynesville Yoga Center (WYC) with an unlimited classes/monthly membership and take as many classes as I can weekly! Since joining, I have lost 23 pounds! Some of it is from changing my diet and being more active in general, but some of it is definitely from the classes I take every week at WYC.

The variety of classes and the expertise of each one of the instructors has given me the opportunity to deepen my yoga practice, and improve my overall health! Practicing yoga at WYC has supported my personal goal of living mindfully and strengthening union of my body and mind! I am ever grateful that the WYC community is here!

  1. What are your favorite styles / classes?

I have to say that I have no particular favorite classes. Every class that I’ve taken, from Restorative/Yin to Mixed Level Flow yoga, is taught with such expertise and beauty of intention! I select classes based on what I’m feeling I need in my practice that day and having so many class options in the weekly schedule, that easy to do! I also love taking the energizing Buti Yoga and the muscle stretching/strengthening Barre classes!

  1. What’s your favorite pose and why?

It’s hard to pick a favorite pose; again I appreciate each pose and flow for what it has to teach me! I have to say that in the course of a Flow class, I do love, and feel empowered by practicing Breath of Fire in Goddess Pose!

  1. What do you do when you’re not practicing yoga?

When I’m not practicing yoga, I’m enjoying retirement in these beautiful Smoky Mountains! I love to run, hike, walk my dog, read and spend time with my amazing twenty-six year old daughter, Roxy. 💕

  1. Tell me something funny or unexpected about you.

This is a tough question! Being one of the oldest in a family of seven children and in adulthood having a wonderful career in teaching and school administration, I’ve always held a “role” of responsibility. Being in my cognitive mind to consider best courses of action in decision-making was my strength. Although I loved every minute of my position in educational leadership, I’m trying now to live with a lighter heart, appreciating and grateful for living in each moment!

Next time you see Pat, give her a fist bump for a being a total bad-ass! 🙂 We are grateful to have her in our yoga community – and to feature her as the September Team Member of the Month!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • “What has set the program apart for me, as well, is the approach to teaching that encourages us not to focus on a “perfect” pose, but rather perfecting a pose within our bodies and the bodies of our students. This means everyone’s expression of a pose will be slightly different, and there is such beauty in that. It runs counter to so much that we are taught elsewhere in life.”

    – Kristen, B

  • “Thank you all so much for offering this. It has truly been a gift in my life and I am very grateful to be part of this class!”

    – Kristen, B

  • “Since I started taking classes at Waynesville Yoga Center, I can now go down the stairs ‘normally’, instead of one foot at a time. I’m really pleased with how these classes are helping me.”

    – Carol L.

  • “That special moment when your body, mind and spirit blend into a yummy synchronized yogic OHMMMMMMM……..yeah, YTT has given me like a hundred of those so far! You guys are awesome!”

    – 2019 YTT Student

  • “I waited years looking for the right yoga teacher training program and WYC was definitely the reason why. I’m absolutely convinced I could not have found a program that was more creative, inclusive, or supportive. I would definitely attribute that to the meticulous design of the curriculum and incredibly talented teachers you brought in to lead so many cool facets of the course. You drew in some of the most amazing students with all this awesomeness and I’ve been so thrilled to learn alongside them this year so thank you, thank you, thank you for every last delicious bit of it.”

    – CJH

  • “Jay is an always-patient, highly skilled teacher who makes everyone feel welcome and able to participate. Her class is always a joy and rewarding.”

    – Barbara S.

  • “WYC YTT has given me such tremendous depth in my practice of yoga on and off the mat. I’ve loved seeing my evolution this year as I learned all the ways I can add yoga to my home and work life. I started just expecting to build a stronger personal practice, but now I am so excited to see where this will all take me in the years to come.”

    – 2019 YTT Student

  • “Jay met me prior to class to help me polish my yoga teaching skills. I really appreciate her willingness to meet and teach me to make me a better instructor.”

    – Brooke H.

  • “YTT provided me with the tools and knowledge to deepen my own yoga practice and help others with theirs. This program challenged me in unforeseen ways and I am so thankful to have experienced this journey with such incredible teachers and fellow students. It was truly a life-changing experience.”

    – Hayley P.

  • “I haven’t felt this good since I got my puppy, ten years ago!…”

    – Steve S.

  • “One of the things I have loved about the program is that we are not just learning how to teach certain poses; I have been learning things I didn’t even know I could learn about yoga in general, including about the subtle energies, how they tie to both anatomy and the philosophy of yoga.”

    – 2019 YTT Student

  • “After my first private session with Amber my body felt so good! Because of her guidance and personal assisting I highly recommend working with her.”

    – Barbara B.

  • “When I first began practicing yoga, it seemed like the more I learned, the more I wanted to know. I bought a few books but still didn’t feel like a real student of the practice of yoga. When the 200 hour YTT was offered, I saw it as the perfect chance to really expand my knowledge. I have come to realize that with this deep dive into the practice of yoga, I have a strong knowledge bank that will allow me to continue to expand my knowledge of yoga for years to come.”

    – Jann F.

  • “I woke up one morning and realized I was 60 years old, that I could live well into my 80s and that I had to do something to improve my strength and stamina if I wanted a good quality of life. I was caring for small grandchildren periodically, and it exhausted me.

    As soon as I saw Waynesville Yoga Center was opening, I came. I am so thankful to Jay for a place where I feel safe, not self-conscious, and where I can attend classes that benefit me without feeling in competition with anyone else. Restorative and Yin have improved my flexibility and meditation skills; Beginner Flow, Flow Level 1 and Gentle Chair Yoga have increased my strength and balance and also challenged me, as has Barre and Balance!

    I feel better than I ever have – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I have met so many new friends. All of the instructors I have had are wonderful and willing to share of themselves. Thank you, Jay, your endeavor is making a tremendous difference in so many lives!”

    – Terri M.

  • “My experience during my YTT at WYC has not only increased my confidence on the mat but has opened up endless possibilities and opportunities for a courageous, confident, and grateful life off the mat. “

    – Teresa F.

  • “With all of my health issues, I never would have believed I could ever learn to teach yoga. WYC’s Real Yoga for Real Bodies built my confidence as a leader, reminding me that my journey is my strength, and I will actually be a better teacher because of the challenges I’ve experienced. Thank you so much for creating a program that encouraged us to bring the beauty and the beast through this incredible transformation.”

    – CJH

  • I signed up for YTT thinking I had time to myself to focus on me, but the world has other plans. It’s still the best decision I’ve made, and I am so grateful that what I have learned has come to me at a time that I can apply it to so much real world trauma. This YTT has been a saving grace!

    – Kim T.

  • “Amber, you’re an incredible teacher! You are a natural at creating flows that challenge and inspire your students.”

    – Michelle G.C.

  • “Jay is a wonderful yoga instructor; has great variety in classes; is always dependable (there and on time); is kind and understanding; and always available to answer questions and give additional instruction if necessary. She is calm and classes are enjoyable no matter the challenge.”

    – Myndie S.

  • “Amber is an incredibly gifted instructor, particularly when it comes to yoga. She is calming, thorough, and provides that extra-added touch of essential oils, gentle adjustments, and themed practices. I love that Amber’s yoga classes are dynamic and she’s taught moves in her classes that I’ve never done in 15 years of practicing yoga. She’s a breath of fresh air in the yoga scene. I highly recommend her!”

    – Christine G.

  • “Jay takes time to answer questions, to give help when needed in performing movements and is a gentle, calm person which helps my yoga experience.”

    – Anita S.

Our mission is to provide a safe and accepting space where students can learn, heal, grow - and have fun! We work to create peace in our world, communities and families by first creating peace within ourselves.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

We'll send special offers, yoga articles, event information, and more - directly to your inbox!

Gift Certificates + Class Passes

Purchase

Contact Us

Waynesville Yoga Center
274 S Main St
Waynesville, NC 28786

828.246.6570

hello@waynesvilleyogacenter.com

YogaFinder.com          

Schedule