Teacher Feature: Kelley Butwill
Radiate founder Katie met Kelley Butwill at yoga teacher training in 2016 (where Kelley was working as a teaching assistant). Katie knew immediately that once the studio opened, she wanted to hold space for Kelley’s kind soul and gentle practice. Kelley has literally been a part of Radiate Studio from the start as an instructor, and as a valued part of the community.
What are qualities you try to embody as a yoga teacher? First and foremost being respectful of the roots of yoga is of utmost importance to me. Being as inclusive and transparent as possible is my second priority. I don't want students to put me on any kind of platform or pedestal. I try to be an example of how I'm just a fellow human that loves the practice of yoga. That's part of the inclusiveness to me, I make mistakes and don't embody all the yamas and niyamas at all times in my life and that's ok, it doesn't make me bad at yoga, nor is not being able to do handstands, etc.. I really want to encourage anyone to just do yoga as often as possible and when it fits into their lives and be ok with not being perfect. Radical self acceptance is a daily practice for myself as well.
What do you hope students experience in your classes? My hope for students in my class is that they achieve their personal goals and that they are able to really tune into their bodies and listen to what it's asking for and always honor that in my class, if that means they spend most of the class doing childs pose or even sivasana that makes me so happy to see.
Why/when/where did you go to your very first public yoga class? My first public yoga class was years after I first started yoga. It was in 2013. I had always done yoga at home with Rodney Yee videos before that. I was in the midst of a breakup and heartbroken and my best friend (who I had been practicing with since we were teenagers) showed up and told me she was taking me somewhere and she took me to this class that was playing Florence and the Machine loudly and I immediately burst into tears and it was so perfect at that time for me. I cried my way through the class, no one could hear me because of the music and I felt 10 pounds lighter at the end. It was messy and beautiful. I loved every second of it.
How do you currently spend the majority of your time? Aside from yoga I spent most of my time at my first full time job of being a mom to my sweet 5 year old, and my other full time job of being a baker.
What is something random you know more about than people would expect? Being a mom to a 5 year old I know a lot about Legos now, it's something I have found I really really enjoy doing myself.
Thanks Kelley! 🧡
Shout out to yoga studio manager Rosie for helming Teacher Feature and helping everyone get to know our amazing team!
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Kelley’s very popular Restorative Touch class is on Monday evenings at 5:30pm, sign up early if you want to snag one of the limited spots!