Meet Malaika Vida Butoyi
We had the good fortune of connecting with Malaika Vida Butoyi and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Malaika Vida, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I started the practice of acrobatics with partners, I came upon this phenomenon in which I would start to shake uncontrollably once presented with a different kind of challenge. We were going into foot-to-hand, and my partner was someone that I did trust, but since we were going standing with it, I got scared of the height. I started to shake uncontrollably, and he instructed me to stop shaking. I didn’t know why I was shaking, and so it was not a very effective directive to stop shaking. I needed to know why I was shaking in order to stop the process of my nervous system’s reaction to stimulus. Now, I teach in a way that acknowledges this kind of nervous system reaction. We take time to acknowledge and come back to baseline before we proceed. It’s a trauma-informed approach to acrobatics that builds trust that all your reactions are acceptable and allows people to go further than they ever imagined possible.
What should our readers know about your business?
I would say it’s all about who you know. And trusting your instincts. I knew there was a niche in Valley Acro because I used to go to jams in North Hollywood that were incredibly popular with flow artists and acrobats alike. I knew I could fill that void that Kyna and Stephan and other wonderful acrobats left behind as they moved away or got distracted by life. Most recently, I attended an acro jam and connected with a developer who hooked me up with a wonderful scheduling app. These connections are for life, and we cannot take for granted the wonderful humans that create this matrix we call the Acro community in Los Angeles.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First, I would take you to Warner Center Park in The Valley. It’s a lovely space: flat and grassy, with gorgeous pine trees. We will play Acro and then Nosh at the Topanga Mall nearby. Then, I would take you to Highland Park, to experience an acro class like no other taught by Cat Hamilton and Linnea Sablosky or it might be Zach. We would hang out on Figueroa to soak up the local flavor on the east side. Saturday morning would be reserved for our All-Level Acro Flow class at Yoga Loft LA from 11 am to 1 pm. If you still have any steam, we’ll go to Culver City Acro jam in Dr. Paul Carlson Park on in the afternoon, and maybe even The Green (aka the Acro Mecca) at Original Muscle Beach and Slackline Park where you can fly the fabled Rings in Santa Monica on Sunday. We would have to hit up Cafe Gratitude afterwards to give thanks and praise for this wonderful community and practice.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh, yes! Absolutely. Shoutouts are incredibly deserved by: Kumi Yogini, who taught me Power Vinyasa Yoga. Sarah Yovovich and Sonia Peltzer, who introduced me to the softer side of partner work: therapeutic body work through Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, and ZenThai shiatsu massage method. Chris Filkins of Deep Monkey Style Acro (Westside LA) and Lux of Seattle Acro who refined my teaching process.
Website: Valleyacro.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malaikavidayoga?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Twitter: X.com/mvbutoyi
Facebook: Facebook.com/malaikavidayoga
Youtube: YouTube.com/@malaikavida
Image Credits
All mine: Malaika Butoyi
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