How did you begin practicing and teaching yoga?
I’ve been practicing yoga for over 20 years. I took my first class in a Bally Total Fitness gym, I was the only person in class. I fell in love with the way it made me feel, and it came fairly easy to me. I was never a “sporty” girl, so being able to “do yoga” made me feel like I was good at something physical. I’ve been teaching a long time! I started teaching step aerobics in my twenties, pilates in my 30’s and I’ve been teaching yoga for 5 years, I think :)
How has yoga been transformational in your life?
Yoga has showed me what I’m capable of. It’s funny, for some time, yoga was something I “did”. It was like a task I checked off my list, doing it, but not really IN it. My practice has evolved as I have evolved. I have a lot more peace inside my practice than I did even 5 years ago. There’s way less ego in what poses I “can do” in my practice and a lot more presence in how I show up inside the poses on my mat. Much like in life, when I came to yoga from a place of wanting to nail a pose, I was in my head, competing with myself. Yoga continues to teach me to be in my spirit, heart, and body. I’m not always successful, but my home practice really does ground me into my BEING, and I hope that translates into how I teach.
What’s your favorite part about teaching yoga?
The energy of the room, I love a full room of yogis, it makes the vibe high and the movement more fun. I love to bring my personality to class, I think it’s more fun :) and helps students take themselves less seriously.
What do you do to prepare for class?
Honestly, not much. I used to labor over playlists and sequences, but I am just a better teacher when I show up open to what the students need. Sometimes I have a pose in mind, or a new way to teach something, recently I came back from a yoga festival with a lot of good nuggets, and a few have been put to use in classes, but I don’t ever plan a class from top to bottom. Teaching yoga taps into my creativity, and I’m really good at knowing how to flow from one thing to the next in the moment, that’s why I love it so much. When I get to find the flow through what the class needs, those are the best classes.
Do you have a favorite pose or movement?
I LOVE backbends, give ‘em to me all day long :) Anjaneyasana, or low lunge is a staple in my home practice. And I love to “dance my yoga” :) at home, and sometimes in class :)
This is a little different...If you were a yoga pose what would you be and why?
Hmmm my intuition says, GATE POSE. WHY? Physically it stretches the side body so open and makes room for deep breathing. Symbolically, I like the idea of being part of bridging something together.
What’s your favorite type of music to play while practicing?
Gosh! At home it varies, I once led myself through an all backbend practice while listening to John Mayer! (love him) but it depends on what my energy is, most mornings my practice is light and either nature is my music, or songs I can sing along with Kirtan style. I’m highly influenced by music choice, and it definitely takes the class up a notch if the music is more energized, so I’m pretty cautious about what I play so I don’t turn the class on their heads! My heavy rotation includes: My 2018 faves made for me by Spotify, a couple playlists that I LOVE are my friend, Michael’s, they have a good balance. And a new one I made for the summer solstice inspired by all the kirtan sang at the Yoga festival in Boulder.
Do you have a playlist you’d like to share? This is one of my friend’s, love it - https://open.spotify.com/user/palumbeau/playlist/78lL5ZqIAUEkDBGLrdYirb?si=iEUKb0oVTHGOiIKF4sTbXw
And this is my summer solstice playlist
https://open.spotify.com/user/lenadolter/playlist/7H2IOJsTRVoofZVaL8YGUg?si=NxokLMjPRTWhdo1YRxY84g
Does your personal practice differ from how you teach?
Some days my body is all good with linear movement, and other days I add in more dance, more free flowing movement. I am mindful that how I move isn’t how everyone else wants, or is comfortable moving, so I sprinkle in what I feel is a good offering for most humans in classes.
Recommended reading (yoga and/or non-yoga)
Non yoga reading I recommend ANYTHING by Brene Brown, but specifically I recommend, Braving the Wilderness and The Gifts of Imperfection. PHENOMENAL books. Braving the Wilderness has the capacity to change lives if you put what she teaches into practice.
Yoga books I recommend: Living Your Yoga by Judith Lasater, and for anyone studying to be a teacher Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar, is a MUST HAVE. It’s like an encyclopedia for yoga, a reference book for life.
How would you describe yourself?
I describe myself as inspiring, graceful, determined, dedicated, soft, real, honest, raw, and truthful. Introverted extrovert. I love food. Like really love it, it’s more than just eating for me, it’s an experience.
What do you want people to know about you?
I’m not perfect. I’m real sensitive. I can cry easily at both things that are tragic and things that are inspiring and uplifting. I left my FT corporate gig 6 months ago to pursue my true work in the world. I’m not originally from STL, and it’s NOT easy not being from here. I’m destined to live in CO. Who wants to help me get there :)?
Outside of yoga what is your passion/Where can you be found?
Ya know, I am REAL good at helping women get clear on their next steps. As a successful, driven woman myself, I knew I had a passion and a desire for something more, but for many reasons, I stayed where I was, until the Universe handed me what I KNEW was the catalyst for me to make a change for myself. My passion, and purpose is helping women, specifically women like me, driven, successful women feel calm, centered, and confident to take their next step. I’m a Clarity Coach, and I help you break free from the soul sucking grind and discover the confidence and courage to trust yourself enough to move forward without fearing failure.
You can find me online at https://www.lenadolter.com/
IG @lenadolter https://www.instagram.com/lenadolter/?hl=en
FB lena dolter https://www.facebook.com/lena.dolter
FB BIZ https://www.facebook.com/Womaninflow/?modal=admin_todo_tourPhysically you can find me in my house or yard :), PuraVegan, Fridas, Seedz, at Forest Park on a nice day, or Clementine’s cuz I LOVE their vegan chocolate ice cream!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
My guilty pleasure is stuffing dates with peanut butter. I love MARA NATHA PB and Trader Joe’s Chia Flax seed PB. I pretty much could live on PB :)
Anything else?
My favorite # is 13 and I love teaching at Blue Sky.
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!
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)
The Law of Divine Compensation: On Work, Money & Miracles by Marianne Williamson (this is number one!)
The Yamas & Niyamas by Deborah Adele
SH*T The Moon Said: A Story of Sex, Drugs & Ayahuasca by Gerard Armond Powell
Ayurveda Beginner’s Guide by Susan Weis-Bohlen
Chakras & Their Archetypes: Uniting Energy Awareness and Spiritual Growth by Ambika Wauters
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
We Are Connected: Meet Wesley Pilcher
Wesley Pilcher is a guest teacher who comes through St. Louis from Arkansa occasionally to offer workshops and classes geared to find connection within so we understand our connection to all things. Wesley will be joining us May 31 and June 1, so we decided to take this opportunity to get to know him a little better. I, for one, am hoping for a little breakdance session during one of his classes. Wesley, can you do that for us???
What is your favorite asana & why?
My favorite Asana, that’s a hard one…I would have to say Baddha Padmasana (Bound lotus posture). It is challenging and has many benefits like improving the posture of the spine, and it stretches the joints of the shoulders, arms, wrists, back, and many more. In a lot of the old texts, Baddha Padmasana is said to cure diseases.
Least favorite/why?
That is a easy one, Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana- Hand to big toe pose. This posture has always been so hard for me because my hamstrings are so tight. My personal theory is that if you don’t like a particular posture, and it is challenging, do it as much as possible until you master it with steadiness and ease.
Recommended Reading (Yoga & non-yoga)-
I have many!
Shadow Yoga-Chaya Yoga by Shandor Remete
Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar
The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga by Srivatsa Ramaswami
Trilogy of Shiva by Amish (fiction)
Bhagavad Gita- any translation but first read Mahabharat
Yoga Sutras
Diary of Anne Frank
Tao of Poo.
Funniest/most embarrassing yoga moment?
I was demonstrating a jump back for a teacher during an Astangha class and caught my foot on my fisher pants and ripped them right off. Very embarrassing, but way funny now.
Best/most rewarding yoga moment?
When I see students living with cancer smile as they get up from savasana when I teach a class.
Who knew? (interesting tidbits you might like to share)
I used to be on a breakdancing team. I love to dance. I am obsessed with The Dance of Shiva; it is an old dance that many of our postures today come from.
What inspired you to be a student and then teacher of yoga?
I lived in a monastery and an ashram when I was younger; we meditated for hours and hours a day. This was really challenging for my hips. Then one of my teachers and best friend Matt Krepps said let me teach you some yoga. He he did, and I fell in love with it that day. The one thing I want to share in my life is yoga. I feel the benefits can expand into infinity. All the paths of yoga are important: Raja, Bhakti, Jnana, Karma. So I strive to include all of them as I teach.
One piece of advice you like to give your students?
Live every minute as it is your last, spend quality time, be kind and say I love you to those you love. There are so many people who don’t wake up in the morning. Life is Divine. Look at everyone and remember we are God’s children, each and everyone of us.
Favorite yoga quote or Mantra?
Om Bhur Bhuvaḥ Swaḥ
Tat-savitur Vareñyaṃ
Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi
Dhiyo Yonaḥ Prachodayāt
We meditate on that most adored Supreme Lord, the creator, whose effulgence (divine light) illumines all realms (physical, mental and spiritual). May this divine light illumine our intellect.
What else?
To remember Self-Realization means that you have all the things you need to activate the higher self, you just have to unlock the doors. Open yourself to find that…….
How can we stay connected?
To remember that you are the most important thing under the sun, and so is everyone else. To be a spiritual being is to look at every person as a creation of God, or creator, universe, whatever you believe. There will always be peace if you remember that, within and out.
Namaskar!
Wesley will be joining us on Friday, May 31 for a class on The Warrior Arka and Saturday, June 1 for Healthy Hamstrings & Shoulders. Go to our events page to see more details. Also, check out his article on The Warrior Arka to learn more about it!