Labeling Tricia Hughey a strong woman is an understatement. First of all, she’s been practicing yoga for over 20 years. For the co-owner of Yoga Daily, finding zen through yoga and meditation is practically second nature, and it’s helped shape her remarkable resilience and can-do attitude. However, both of those strengths were put to the test in 2023, when not one, but two unexpected disasters threatened her studio and way of life.
Hughey originally studied cooking in New York and aspired to open her own café, but 12 years of managing a Mount Pleasant-based restaurant caused her to question what she really wanted to do in life. Hughey turned to yoga to help cope with the daily stresses of restaurant life and, in doing so, found her true passion and calling.
The spark ignited, Hughey bid farewell to the restaurant industry and boldly decided to pursue her dream full time. She started small, teaching at various studios and meeting with private clients around town. It was during that time that one of her long-time students Blair Hahn approached her with the idea of opening a studio. The two agreed they wanted a studio that would appeal to practitioners of all levels, ages and abilities, “something approachable and something focused on body, mind, breath and soul.”
Yoga Daily officially opened their doors in the Seaside Farms shopping center in January of 2018. Hughey was living her dream, and the studio was thriving when they hit their first major crisis: COVID-19. Hughey was quick to pivot and incorporate online classes, and she credits her teachers and students for their ability and willingness to adapt and overcome.
“Thankfully, our student base was very dedicated not only to their practice but to us, so they continued to practice online, and I have to give them praise for that,” said Hughey.
After re-opening to in-person classes, Hughey wisely decided to maintain the online classes, which turned out to be a boon for her students. Not only do many local students take advantage of the classes, but several out-of-town visitors regularly participate from as far away as Michigan and Massachusetts.
Entering into 2023, things were almost back to normal when smoke damage from an electrical fire forced the studio to abruptly close. Hughey mustered her steely determination and quickly moved all the necessary equipment, vacated the studio and relocated to the nearby Homewood Suites for over three weeks. Once again, Hughey credits the flexibility and support of her teachers, two of whom have been with her since Covid, and the loyalty of her students, for their ability to maintain next-to-normal classes despite the extraordinary circumstances.
“It wasn’t without its challenges,” said Hughey, “but you make it work. I feel like dealing with Covid helped me have that mentality of ‘what do we need to do to adapt and just keep going?’”
Post-fire, everything was back on track until eight months later, another unexpected challenge caused a second forced evacuation. One morning in early August, as Hughey was wrapping up a class, a student rolled up their mat only to discover that it was completely soaked. Water had been left on in an adjacent business and flooded the studio. It required over a week to dry and dehumidify before the baseboards and flooring could be ripped up and replaced. After having to say goodbye to her beloved pets, a cat and dog in February and June respectively, this was just another heartbreaking setback in an already tumultuous year, but in her typical fashion, Hughey managed to find the light in the dark.
“Navigating the shift and having to move everything back to the hotel was difficult,” said Hughey. “But it continued to be a good reminder to our students that it’s good to be adaptable and flexible, because just like in life, you’ve got to be able to navigate obstacles and be open to new ideas.”
The studio is back to regular classes, and Hughey is as upbeat as ever about the future. When asked how she navigates the tough times and still maintains her cheerful and positive disposition, Hughey offered the following wisdom that she often shares with her students: “rather than focus on the negatives, we focus on the positives, focus on what we can do at the time. When you show up to yoga, you just breathe and focus on what you can do in that moment; that’s how you grow. If you just give up, nothing is going to happen.”
By Sherry Whiting
Thank you for this article about Tricia. She is everything you describe and more! She is an inspiration and truly admired and respected by those who come to her classes. She definitely has her followers and this is because of who she is and the examples she sets for all who attend Yoga Daily.