Day 3 of 30 : Bfree - I Have Pink Hair

DAY 3 OF 30

Name of Studio: Bfree
Style of Class: Bflow @ 10:00am
Instructor: Shelby Autrey

10991497_928700143849579_5938691819400488265_o I just spent the last 90 minutes of my life sweating out more impurities than I knew I had. I was surrounded by puddles of my own sweat, my clothes were soaked and I felt like I was shedding layers of myself onto my mat. So good, so cleansing, so needed.

Shelby is the owner and creator of Bfree and if you have not had the pleasure of taking one of her classes, know that she is an absolute badass. Her radiant energy emits far beyond the studio doors. I had countless yogis tell me that before I officially met her and now I understand why. She owns herself. She’s fierce, yet kind and gentle. Her Bflow class was mind-blowing and interviewing her almost brought tears to my eyes. I’m totally inspired and may have a little ‘girl crush’ 😉

LESSON LEARNED:

Shelby reminded us that “we are only here to be happy”. What a great thought to remember. When you break it down, there really isn’t any other reason for our existence. It’s the ultimate goal, the dream, and the path way to enlightenment. This happiness that we strive for exists inside of us in every moment. We chose to open ourselves up and let it shine bright or to allow ourselves to be distracted by the material world around us.

ABOUT THE STUDIO:

Vision: BFree of past limitations and move into possibility. Unify your body, mind and spirit and live in your full expression. BFree yoga welcomes everyone! We are an energizing studio that brings a fun, flowing, fresh twist on yoga while honoring all of yoga’s rich traditions. BFree yoga is intended to support people to live in the full expression of their being, free from judgment and restriction. Our classes will increase your strength and flexibility and transform your mind and body. Take time for yourself, escape away from demands of work and world and land in your body. We are a dedicated group of individuals composed of yoga educators and specialists from a diverse background of yogic philosophy, structural and injury body work, nutrition, and Ayurveda. Our goal is to facilitate healing and empowerment through yoga practice and a deeper connection to oneself and community. We strive to adapt the practice of yoga to individual needs to offer personal growth and optimal health. We are committed to creating a positive impact on our community both locally, and globally. BFree Yoga Austin is an oasis for anyone looking to heal and detoxify the body, increase energy, find balance, emphasize movement, and maintain focus and intention. We have something for everybody AND every body. Be free of stress, be free of anxiety and be free to live from confidence and peace. Take the journey to better health and vitality, move into possibility: BFree!

Location: 2905 San Gabriel Suite 102 78703
Number of Studios: 2
Natural Light: Yes!
Showers: Yes
Mirrors: Yes
Floors: Bamboo Tooth and Groove in the Solar Room and Pine in the Lunar Room

Interview with Shelby Autrey

Connector, Bright Shiny Light, Seeker of Reflections

Shelby reminded us that whatever pose we were in during class that, “it’s just a pose”. Yogis get caught up just like the rest of the world. Sometimes we can’t help but worry about the shapes our bodies are making in class. I’ve found myself comparing to other students and wishing I could be more flexible, stronger, or have a “prettier pose”. When I stop to think about how silly this is I tell myself “screw that” and bring the awareness back into the breath and the present moment. That’s what it’s about. Talking with Shelby reminded me that it’s ok to be yourself, no matter how wacky people may think that is. She has proven to the world that hard work pays off. Owning one of the most popular studios in Austin can’t be easy. She’s fostered more than a studio. She’s made a home for her yoga tribe. Mad props, Shelby Autrey; mad props.

Zuzu: When did you open Bfree?

Shelby: 4 years ago

Zuzu: Do you have plans to expand?

Shelby: Never! I want to simplify. The two things I really believe in are potency and transparency. So I try to create a community that is really supportive of itself. In that meaning it can support itself alone; the people can support themselves but also support one another. With the expansion of yoga and the expansion of Austin if I chose to expand it would be feeding the fire and ultimately getting away from ourselves.

Zuzu: Who did you study under and why did you decide to be a teacher?

Shelby: Gioconda Parker and Christina Sell are my two teachers. They are my anchors and my roots that I can always come back to. I’m also heavily influenced by a woman named Sarah Tomson-Beyer who I met before I came to Austin. I began studying under Gioconda because I wanted to deepen my practice, not because I wanted to teach. I wanted to stabilize my own life. After a year of not teaching the owner of Bodhi told me I needed to sub a class at Eastside Yoga and so I did. Six months later Bfree opened. It fell in my lap and was more of a call to community rather than ownership. I didn’t tell anybody that it was me that opened it. When Bodhi closed after 10 years which is where I practiced and trained, we decided we couldn’t let it close.

The tribe of teachers we have and students that have been here since the beginning have carried it to where it never even had to be known that there was an owner. I bear the responsibility but ownership is everyone.

Zuzu: Describe Bfree in three words.

Shelby: Vitality. Love. Connection.

Zuzu: What’s the best thing about owning your own studio?

Shelby: My favorite part is the sense of home.

Yoga has always been my home.

I’ve gotten to create exactly what makes me feel supported and safe and also challenged and committed to. It’s really the first thing that’s really grounded me in my life. The sense of responsibility to so many people that share their lives here and their teachings here. I love and respect it. I’m learning to let it be itself while I be myself. I appreciate it’s reflection to me is that I am still my own person and I need to grow separate than it.

Zuzu: Advice for all the new yoga teachers in Austin?

Shelby: Acknowledge where you come from and why you started; don’t forget it. You did not create the wheel. Respect your teachers, and notice when you think that you created something new. We are all reflections of something else and that’s our job as teachers, to show those reflections. It’s not about creating your own brand and being your own billboard. It’s about spreading connection from person to person.