Yoga was never my thing, in fact, I hated it.

Buti has given me so much. It really is a cure.

If one were to look at my life even a few years ago, they would likely say I was successful by most standards. I worked in the field I studied, I lived in a very desirable city, I was in decent enough shape, and I had a partner that loved me.

While those things are still all true today, back then I felt completely lost. I felt like I was striving to always be something else… someone else. I felt like I was not enough… not smart enough, not thin enough, not successful enough, you name it. Somewhere along the line in my past, I lost a sense of who I was.  My life and experiences had beaten me down and made me fearful.   I no longer trusted myself and felt like I needed someone else to say I was “doing it right” in practically every area of my life.

I found Buti Yoga in 2017 and it has been pivotal in all kinds of transformation in my life. First of all, yoga was never really my thing, in fact, I hated it. I was so inflexible, any time I’d ever tried it, I felt pain and discomfort, and could not access any poses properly to get any kind of benefit. Buti has proven to be my “gateway yoga”. Buti gave me permission to move, and feel, and dance, and sweat, and be free. After practicing for a short time, I realized I was gaining flexibility and my cardio endurance was becoming pretty great.  In addition to that, I felt like bricks were forming under my tummy skin and fat, AND this never-had-a-butt girl was getting an ass! 

The physical changes have been awesome of course, but I’ve found that there have been mental and emotional shifts in my life from Buti that are just as, if not more, important. Buti has made me feel strong, sexy, and powerful.  The way I see myself has changed… I feel comfortable in my own skin for the first time in my life. At one point, I decided to no longer weigh or measure my body anymore, but rather set the goal to “feel strong and love my body”.  And having set that goal, I’ve released myself from comparison and measuring myself against anything but myself.  Since then, I found myself feeling motivated to do something to get my body moving most days, even if I was really cramped for time, or had low energy.  And I found myself making some healthier nutritional choices as well.  I’m not perfect with nutrition, but I’m being kind to myself.  I now focus on (and celebrate) my progress, not my mistakes and setbacks. 

This practice changes your mental and emotional health.  It loosens shit up and allows you to let it go.  After doing Buti for a while, I began to feel VERY differently in how I saw the world, prioritized how I devoted my energy, and how I metabolized the junk that life throws at me.  I have struggled a lot, especially in the last 8 years, with fear of judgement.  I now find myself feeling more confident to be ME and speak my mind, instead of being a chameleon and trying to fit in and please everyone (exhausting!). Furthermore, I’m embracing vulnerability, an often feared but BEAUTIFUL part of the human experience.  I’m being genuine and wearing my heart on my sleeve more… even speaking about my journey is a part of that. 

One of many things I’ve learned from all of this is that the mind and body are VERY connected and thusly physical health and mental and emotional health are extremely connected.

I have experienced the feelings of not wanting to try something new or put myself in a situation where I don’t KNOW what will happen or have complete CONTROL over my experience.  I feel differently now.  And I now see the many other people who struggle with this.  If that’s you, I encourage you to loosen the reins, relinquish absolute control, try something new, and let go of expectations.  Just step out in faith and STIR SHIT UP!  Nothing truly great ever came from living inside one’s comfort zone.  I’m learning that… and all kinds of other stuff… and I feel alive.  I finally feel comfortable (and confident) to be ME for the first time in a long time.  I give far fewer fucks what anyone else thinks. I finally trust myself and love myself. Buti has awoken and empowered the true me — the me that got buried all those years ago — and it feels fucking awesome!

So… now I teach. Because I want to share this practice with anyone and everyone. Anyone who is looking for a new workout. Anyone that wants to be stronger. Anyone who doesn’t feel completely themselves or accepted. Anyone that is searching. Buti really is a cure.