Spiral & Sweat: Meet BUTI Yoga Instructor Malissa McLaurin!

What is Buti Yoga? I’m sure you’ve seen it show up on our class schedule at least once a month, and maybe you’re curious, but also don’t know what you’ll get yourself into. So what better way learn how great Buti is and get to know your incredibly charismatic instructor than an interview with her. Here’s Malissa McLaurin!

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  • How did you begin practicing and teaching Buti yoga?

    I began Buti in fall 2014 after a friend posted on Facebook about trying this ‘new yoga class’. It was a time and place in my life I was looking for something to inspire me. I fell in love with the practice and decided to get certified a year and a half later.

  • How has Buti been transformational in your life?

    Buti found me when I was in a transitional point in my life. I was working on connecting physically and mentally. I had recently come off a mental breakdown and was looking for something to connect myself with myself again (actually connect myself for the first time ever, if I’m being honest). After attending my first class, I cried. Buti fuses traditional asana with dynamic movement. There was something about moving through sequences in addition to a great music-driven playlist that for the first time I felt free. I felt my body love itself for the first time. It was glorious.

  • What’s your favorite part about teaching Buti?

    Watching students find themselves. Having fun. Laughing, smiling, taking shirts off and sweating in little clothing. Not caring what size their bodies are and smiling though the sweat.

  • What do you do to prepare for class?

    Take a nap, HA! 

  • Do you have a favorite pose or movement?

    I love the movement of Buti but I am a fan of binds and folds. I love getting juicy and swuishy with my insides. 

  • What’s your favorite type of music to play while practicing? Do you have a playlist you’d like to share?

    Buti uses tribal beats, EDM, hip hop, and rap. Depending on your instructor you may find a class leaving more toward one genre over another. Personally, I love soulful music and deep house beats. Spotify is a GREAT music resource. Many other Buti instructors all over the country use it and upload playlists, so there’s so much opportunity to share and learn. Here’s a playlist I love because of the musical diversity.

  • What would you like people to know about Buti yoga? How would you describe it to someone? What do people gain from the practice?

    Buti Yoga fuses tribal, dance, kundalini, power Vinyasa and cardio to create a whole body experience. Mixed with a spiral structure technique, it’s where your body meets your soul. I want people to know that yoga is for EVERYBODY as is Buti. Movement is a gift, and it doesn’t matter what body you’re in; movement is medicine. Start where you are and go from there. Through the practice of Buti I have seen students shed notions about themselves and their bodies. They begin to love their bodies at each and every size. Through this practice, we offer acceptance and no judgement. We’re all in this together.

  • Does your personal practice differ from how you teach?

    Somewhat. Because Buti is such a yang practice I’m trying to incorporate a more yin approach to my personal practice. Stillness, sitting into asana and breathing, or not moving at all and meditating. 

  • Recommended reading (yoga and/or non-yoga)

  • How would you describe yourself? What do you want people to know about you?

    I’m a silly, hilarious, big-hearted, and loving person who just wants to create space for others to be and love themselves. I have lived a colorful life and had many experiences and am still here and exist in the world living a beautiful life. 

  • Outside of yoga what is your passion/Where can you be found?

    You can find me relaxing on my couch, playing in my garden, drinking wine on a patio, traveling for live music, and loving on my fiancé, family, and friends. Oh! And entertaining. I love being the hostess! 

  • Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

    I took Chinese in college and performed a skit in Mandarin for a Chinese New Year Party.

  • Anything else?

    Whatever it is that you find, I hope it moves you and makes you smile. 

Join Malissa in the studio!

#sweatwithintention

#bebravewithyourlife

Men on the Mat Series: Meet John Yelverton

In honor of Father's Day being in June, we decided it was high time we celebrate the men who join us on the mat. It is interesting that yoga, once a practice exclusively for men, is now — at least in the U.S. — dominated mainly by women and many men feel that yoga is not for them because…

~I’m not flexible enough ~It’s not challenging enough ~I know how to breathe ~I want to get stronger, etc.

While we know we can dispel these myths and/or prove them wrong, we felt it would be better to let our guys speak for themselves. And because we know that representation matters, we would like to represent some of the men who have stepped outside of their own comfort zones to try something new and found a home here at Blue Sky Yoga. Maybe, our guys will help convince the men in your life to check out a yoga class or two with you!

John, we are so happy you are a part of our studio. Your presence is refreshing and honest and you ask the best questions! Also, you might need to tell us more about Muay Thai!

John, we are so happy you are a part of our studio. Your presence is refreshing and honest and you ask the best questions! Also, you might need to tell us more about Muay Thai!

  1. How did you discover Blue Sky Yoga?

    Completely by accident! I thought I was going to a different yoga studio. Fortunately, I took a class and loved the people, the instructor, and the space, so I continue to come back and continue the journey.

  2. How long have you been doing yoga? What brought you to the practice?

    Three years. Curiosity. I always knew about yoga and wanted to give it a try.

  3. If you were a yoga pose what would you be and why?

    Humble warrior. I love the idea of being firmly rooted in yourself while giving yourself to others by showing humility. It’s a great example of how we should strive to live our lives.

  4. What is your favorite asana?

    Savasana.

    I like that it allows me to be still for a few moments.

  5. What are some changes that you have noticed in yourself as you’ve continued your yoga journey (mind/body/spirit)?

    The body — I’ve noticed an increase in strength, flexibility, and breathing. My mind — I’ve noticed that I am more present throughout the day. I’m also calmer than before I started practicing. I think it all has to do with learning to focus on my breath. Spirt — I am just starting to delve in the spiritual side of yoga, so I can’t really comment on any changes that I’ve seen.

  6. What would you say to someone who is scared to try yoga or who doesn’t think yoga is for them?

    Simply try it. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain. Additionally, for those that are shy or are worried about looking funny…no one is paying attention to you. Everyone is focused on their own practice.

  7. Describe an interesting fact about yourself. The weirder the better. (Something other than yoga.)

    I was born 2.5 months premature and was given less than 24 hours to live.

  8. When you are not on your mat what other things do you do to occupy your time?

    I enjoy reading, hiking and practicing Muay Thai at North Broadway Jui Jitsu.




Men On the Mat Series: Meet Corey Axelson

In honor of Father's Day being in June, we decided it was high time we celebrate the men who join us on the mat. It is interesting that yoga, once a practice exclusively for men, is now — at least in the U.S. — dominated mainly by women and many men feel that yoga is not for them because…

~I’m not flexible enough ~It’s not challenging enough ~I know how to breathe ~I want to get stronger, etc.

While we know we can dispel these myths and/or prove them wrong, we felt it would be better to let our guys speak for themselves. And because we know that representation matters, we would like to represent some of the men who have stepped outside of their own comfort zones to try something new and found a home here at Blue Sky Yoga. Maybe, our guys will help convince the men in your life to check out a yoga class or two with you!

Corey is always good for a smile and a positive look to any day. He’s also up for anything! One time he came to a Yoga Nidra class not even knowing what it was, but just saw there was a class and at a time he could show up, so he said, “okay, let’s try this out.” He says savasana is his favorite pose, so we’re just going to assume he loved it!

  1. How did you discover Blue Sky Yoga?

    I googled yoga studios near me, and it was the second place I tried.

  2. How long have you been doing yoga? What brought you to the practice?

    Almost a year!  I started late July and I've tried to come to class consistently since.

    (Corey, did you know that as of this publication, you have attended 173.25 hours of yoga since you started with us on July 24th 2018? )

  3. If you were a yoga pose what would you be and why?

    A handstand/Adho Mukha Vrksasana, because for whatever reason, that's become my "goal" pose to work towards.

    (And didn’t I just see you doing one on Monday?)

  4. What is your FAVORITE asana?

    Savasana - it always feels good to relax after a class and just sink into my mat.

  5. What are some changes that you have noticed in yourself as you've continued on your yoga journey (mind/body/spirit)?

    My mind is a lot more calm, and I enjoy getting on my mat and just being in the moment.

  6. What would you say to someone who is scared to try yoga or who doesn't think yoga is for them?

    There are classes for everyone, from a basic's class to an advanced vinyasa, it's all just yoga and everyone's just coming to improve themselves.

  7. Describe an interesting fact about yourself. The weirder the better (something other than yoga).

    I used to play chess competitively.

  8. When you are not on your mat, what other things do you do to occupy your time?

    I just got a promotion at work - I'm starting to manage the Ebar at Nordstrom, and there's so much to learn and delve into; I’m taking that one day at a time.

  9. Anything else?

    Everyone's just trying to better themselves, and there shouldn't be any pressure to be any better than anyone else, just try and be better than who you were yesterday.