The Power of Cultivating a Community

Cultivating a community is one of the best feelings in the world. A community is a group of individuals connected by shared interests, goals, beliefs, culture, or purpose. It’s a space where members engage with one another, forming supportive and uplifting bonds. Communities provide a sense of security, connection, and love, contributing to one’s identity. They can exist in physical locations, like a yoga studio or a town, or online, in forums or social media groups.

I was able to cultivate my own community when I began teaching yoga at Bend in 2021. Building that sense of community didn’t happen overnight—it took consistency, vulnerability, and the courage to open up to others. It wasn’t something I found in all areas of my life, particularly during my time in graduate school.

The Contrast of Graduate School

When I started grad school, I hoped to find my community among my colleagues. But to my disappointment, grad school felt like a very individual experience. Everyone was on different timelines, with varying schedules for fieldwork, conferences, and personal projects. There were no regular lab meetings to foster connection, and everyone seemed overwhelmed and stressed.

I kept wondering, When am I going to find my grad school friends? When are we going to hang out? But that sense of camaraderie never materialized.

Adding to this disconnect, I’m a deeply spiritual person. I like to call myself a "Spiritual Scientist." I love tarot cards, crystals, meditation, astrology, and yoga—all things you don’t typically find in a scientific community. Most of my science colleagues didn’t understand this side of me. When I’d mention astrology, they’d respond with something like, “Cool, astronomy!” and I’d have to clarify, “No, like zodiac signs,” only to be met with confused looks.

Finding Purpose Through Yoga

Teaching yoga gave me a new sense of purpose. It became my escape from the pressures of grad school. Some days, I’d walk into the studio on the verge of tears after hours spent staring at my computer screen, trying to decipher code that looked like Egyptian hieroglyphics. I felt like an imposter in grad school, constantly doubting myself: How am I going to get through this analysis? I can’t do this.

But as soon as I walked into the yoga studio, everything shifted. The scent of incense and lavender greeted me, and a weight lifted off my shoulders. I’d feel a sense of relief as I was welcomed by the smiling face at the front desk. Grad school worries would fade into the background as I traded my work clothes for comfy yoga attire, transitioning from my logical, scientific self to my grounded, spiritual self.

Preparing the studio for class was a ritual I cherished. Turning on the lights and heat, lighting palo santo to clear the energy, and setting the mood with relaxing tunes—it all felt deeply grounding. As students trickled in, some would arrive early to claim their favorite spots and unwind, while others would chat or ask me how school was going.

When I shared my struggles, they responded with encouragement: "You'll get through this. I know you can."

These small moments brought me hope. My students became a kind of therapy for me—people who didn’t fully know what I was going through but showed they cared. In return, I showed up for them in the yoga studio, creating a safe and welcoming space. Their belief in me reflected the belief I instilled in them during class.

The Power of Community

Over the course of three years, my yoga community continued to grow and evolve. I connected with more teachers and students, each bringing something unique to the space we shared. Some were with me from the very beginning, while others were fleeting yet deeply meaningful connections. Bend became the place where I found my people—dear friends, best friends, from different ages and backgrounds, all brought together by the shared practice of yoga.

Teaching yoga has been a constant reminder that community doesn’t just appear—it’s built with intention, through showing up, fostering connections, and being vulnerable. While grad school didn’t give me the community I was hoping for, yoga offered me something even more meaningful: a place where I could fully be myself.

Through this journey, I learned the power of creating a space where people feel seen, supported, and inspired—a space where growth happens not just for them, but for me as well. My yoga community taught me that connection, love, and belonging are cultivated over time, and they are worth every ounce of effort.

With love and gratitude,

Nicole