Age: I’ve never had any qualms about being asked my age, I’m proudly 25 
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Noire Care practice: Yoga is Love and Life
How long have you been practicing? I’ve been practicing consistently for a year and about seven months so far.
Who or what introduced you to yoga? My mom had some old VHS tapes when I was child but it never piqued my interest because it was too slow for me. I would practice here and there throughout college but never anything consistent. It wasn’t until I bruised my tailbone in 2014 that I began to really connect with the spiritual aspects of the practice since then it’s been a regular part of my life.
What is the best way for a beginner to get started? Are there low/no cost ways to getting started? There are plenty of low cost/no cost ways to get started. Almost every city is guaranteed to have one donation based class where you can give what you can if you can. A number of studios also offer free classes for first time students, it’s all about the research you do if you’re serious about incorporating yoga into your life. If you’re not really ready to practice with others then YouTube is your best friend, I always suggest familiarizing yourself with Sun Salutations A and once the flow becomes routine without guidance learn Sun Sals B. Every yoga class will take you through Sun Salutations at least once as it is a foundational flow which incorporates strength building.
How often do you practice? Monday-Friday
Where do you practice? In my tiny apartment, you don’t need a lot of space just a place to have your mat and flow.
Do yo have a favorite pose? My favorite pose is Triangle, it makes me feel extremely strong and beautiful. Flowing into the pose is such a graceful thing to see, it looks great to see an entire class in Triangle. Everyone just kind of bodies that asana. I also love Happy Baby because it feels great on your lower back and opens the hips. If you’re lazy, do Happy Baby 
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your hips will thank you.
How does this practice make you better? I feel as if now I’m so much more spiritually in tune with God. Through this practice I’ve learned to deeply appreciate the good and bad, it’s allowed me to accept that suffering is inevitable and I’m more resilient than I believed myself to be. The practice has made me so much more patient and kind, I can honestly say I’ve made so many beautiful connections through yoga. It has and will take me to places and allow me to see more faces of joy and compassion. I really couldn’t be any more grateful.
Did you grow up witnessing your mother, aunties or any women in your life consistently taking time to do something just for them? I actually wrote a blog post on shameless self love where I talked about my mother who pretty much paved the way for my passion of health and wellness. I remember running in between women in Spandex and ankle weights as a child since I accompanied my mom to Jazzercise. I can recall being made fun of by neighbors as my mom could be seen doing Step Aerobics and Tae Bo through our windows. But I always admired that my mom took time for herself and it shows that strength and longevity has always been something she’s unconsciously incorporated into her life. Now at 58, she’s running hills and doing planks, I’m so very proud of her and it makes me even more happy that she won’t turn down a good workout even if she’s the oldest one. My mother’s spirit is amazing.
Are there any other acts of self care that you regularly practice? I take the time to sing my heart out, I write whatever is on my heart, I treat myself to great food and movies (ain’t no Bae), and I twerk in my room as if I’m the headliner in King of Diamonds. I will always believe it’s so important for Black women in particular to practice self love, we see images of hard working women who because of their selflessness have high blood pressure or diabetes. We have to take more time to care for ourselves, we as Black women work tirelessly as mothers, sisters, and aunts because it’s in our blood to be that way. Yet we have to change this trend of hard work without any real self care, it’s not doing anything but shortening our time here on Earth. We are capable of so much, we shouldn’t feel selfish for truly loving ourselves and taking the time to indulge in self care.
Where can our sisters follow and learn more about you? My Instagram handle is @SprdLove 
I’m hoping to launch my blog at the end of the year so please be on the lookout for it. I love answering questions and getting emails, hit me up on Instagram at any time through a direct message or you can find me on Facebook Kayla Butler ️
Anything you might like to add
Love and light is within you, you are capable of any and everything in life, all you have to do is believe in it. The only limitations which exist are the ones we place on ourselves, if life can exist without the Sun in our deep ocean then you know that there’s light within that can shine and live on eternally within you. Embrace that there are endless possibilities within reach. Namaste
