KATIE CARTER

LS: Katie, tell us about your personal journey to yoga.

KC: Like many people in my generation, I discovered yoga in the70s, in college. I've always been interested in movement and in fact, actually took "Circus 101" at Florida State. Even then, the practice of yoga felt sacred to me and took me deep into myself. It enabled me to go to a quiet place inside where I felt peace and serenity. I took what I learned in college and, for years, continued with my own stretching routines. It wasn't until after the birth of my second child, though, that I started yoga in a disciplined way. I had two big babies and a very weak back. I was continually in pain and constantly seeing my chiropractor. I knew that I needed to strengthen my back to get relief.

Although I went to yoga for pain relief, I also got in touch again with that sacred place inside of me. I spent the next 12 years going to a class every week. That hour and a half yoga class was like an oasis to me; it gave me the opportunity to bring all the parts of myself together again. Then one day, I decided it was time to go deeper into my practice and I started taking classes three times a week.

LS: Is that about the time you started teaching?

KC: Yes. I knew how transformative yoga had been for me and I really wanted to turn other people onto the power of it. I went to a 30-day intensive teacher-training program and then told everyone I knew that I was starting a class for beginners. We started out in someone's living room. We quickly outgrew that so I rented a dance studio and did two classes each week there. Those classes quickly filled to capacity so I started doing four classes each week. I could see the momentum building and could feel the interest in yoga growing so that's when I opened the Wild Mountain Yoga Center (WMYC). That was five and half years ago.

LS: So how big is WMYC now?

KC: Over 350 students come through WMYC each week. We have 36 classes available weekly, taught by 17 different instructors. We're big enough now to attract nationally recognized yoga instructors, like Sarah Powers and Shiva Rea who come here to do weekend workshops.

LS: What's made you successful?

KC: I think part of it, in terms of teaching, is being about to break things down to their most basic form. I hold a degree in Fiber Arts and I used to teach weaving and knitting. I seem to be able to communicate ideas to students in a way they can understand them and learn them. It's like pulling the different threads apart and then weaving them together.

LS: How do you see the Center today?

KC: The weaving metaphor works very well here too. The Center is like a richly textured weaving of distinctive and special yarns that come together and blend harmoniously. The Center has such a diverse and rich offering of classes, from strengthening and power yoga like Ashtanga and Pilates, to quieting meditation and healing yoga, movement and dance, and so much more. Then there's the diversity of the teachers. They come from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures, and each bring their own unique style. I think of WMYC as a sacred nest that we've woven together to nurture and support individuals in their journey within.

LS: What does yoga mean in your life today?

KC: Yoga is the most powerful and effective tool I know of for bringing myself back into balance when I feel pulled off center or not in touch with myself. I see yoga as a tool for self-acceptance. I think this is true whether you're taking your very first yoga class or whether you've been practicing for years. When we focus on the breath, we strengthen our connection to our Higher Selves and to our Source. It's a great tool for awakening ourselves and gaining clarity about who we really are, what our purpose is, and what gifts we've been given to share. The Buddha said it best, "Our body is precious. It is a vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care."

LS: What's your vision for WMYC moving forward?

KC: I feel passionately about bringing yoga to our area, connecting more people of like-mind together, and expanding our community. I attract many artistic and creative people in my classes and it's my hope that many of you will bring your gifts and talents to this newsletter and to the Center. I'm excited to be a part of creating the space for all of us who are dedicated to strengthening our connection to our bodies and spirits, and rekindling our source of inspiration. I see us reaching out to more high school and college students and athletes, more Seniors (it's never to late to start yoga), and more men.

LS: Any closing thoughts to share?

KC: We live in such a technological and computer age. Now more than ever, the simplicity of coming back to the breath and body is so important and so beneficial. I'm so grateful to be supporting people on their sacred journeys within.