The Joy of Yoga

Tracy Southard, C-IAYT, RYT 500

As a student of yoga first, my classes are led by my own practice and learning. My teaching encompasses a variety of yoga styles but mainly focuses on Iyengar, Vinyasa and Yoga Therapy.

As a yoga student, apprentice and teacher, I have seen first-hand the therapeutic benefit that yoga offers and have realized this thanks to my teacher and mentor, Jenny Otto. I believe that anyone can benefit from integrating a regular yoga practice into their lives – especially when used therapeutically.

As a dedicated yoga practitioner, I am fortunate to be able to share with others the joy of yoga and the therapeutic benefits of the practice. I have taught all levels of yoga at various studios and locations and enjoy working with students of all abilities, from beginners to advanced practitioners.

Training & Inspiration

My journey into the practice and study of yoga began in 2001. Drawn to its healing and transformative benefits, I kept showing up on my mat and, somewhere along the way, the practice transformed me – on and off the mat.

To deepen my own practice, I undertook a 200-hour teacher training at Golden Heart Yoga in Annapolis, Maryland in 2009. Inspired by the training I received from Jenny Otto, I was teaching classes upon graduation of the program. I completed a 500-hour advanced teacher training with Jenny Otto through Body Balance Yoga Therapy and was certified as a Body Balance Yoga® Teacher in 2010. I have apprenticed under Jenny Otto and assisted in Body Balance Yoga Therapy Trainings (2010-2012) in Silver Spring, MD.

Through Body Balance Yoga Therapy Trainings and through my aprenticeship and continuing mentorship with Jenny Otto, my yoga training is rooted in therapeutics, anatomy and body mechanics. Teaching with Bethany Beach Yoga since 2009 and a longtime student since 2001, I also draw inspiration from their talented yoga instructors and students. And with gratitude to one of my first and most influential yoga teachers, Lori Roe, who helped set the foundation and contines to light this path.

Certifications & Credentials

• C-IAYT: Certified Yoga Therapist by International Association of Yoga Therapists, since 2016
• CYT: Certified Body Balance Yoga® Teacher by Jenny Otto, since 2010
• RYT 500: 500-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training with Body Balance Yoga Therapy, Annapolis, MD, 2010
• RYT 200: 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training with Golden Heart Yoga, Annapolis, MD, 2009
• RYT: Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, since October 2009
• IAYT member: International Association of Yoga Therapists Member, since 2010

The yoga therapy components of my teaching are based on my International Association of Yoga Therapists Certification (C-IAYT) and not derived from my status as an RYT500 with the Yoga Alliance Registry.