When you hear Buti Yoga, you might think it’s all about workin’ your booty. But spoiler alert: the word Buti doesn’t have the same meaning as it sounds.
Instead of focusing on butt exercises, the amped-up yoga practice incorporates more cardio and dancing through your flows to get your heart pumping, muscles burning, and body soaked in sweat. Here’s all you need to know and what you can expect from a class.
What is Buti yoga, exactly?
While you will incorporate some breath-to-movement sequences in Buti yoga, just as you would a typical Vinyasa class, you also get a deeper core workout and cardio sprints (mostly from tribal dance-like moves) mixed throughout, says Bizzie Gold, who founded Buti Yoga in 2010.
Think of Buti Yoga as a practice that still works your mental space, but with a lot more energy, faster flows, and a little booty popping in poses, too.
You get other aspects of a regular yoga practice too, particularly tapping into your chakras or energy system with a spiritual element tied into your movements.
What does Buti stand for?
Buti is an Indian Marathi word that means "a cure that's been hidden away or kept secret,” Gold explains, and it was originally used in reference to Ayurvedic herbs.
“In today's society, we find everyone is always looking outside of themselves for something to fix or solve their problems, when the truth is what is holding them back is a lack of reconciliation with the deepest aspects of their own body,” Gold tells me.
“We find that through the practice of Buti which incorporates, spiral movements and intense shaking and vibration... students quickly start to feel energized about their life, their goals in life, and of course the look and function of their body.” And because it’s so fun, people tend to keep coming back to it.
The mental and physical benefits of Buti Yoga
Buti yoga is a great mood booster. “Students can expect a beat-blended musical experience that will give them a full mind-body journey, leaving them sweat drenched and smiling,” says Gold. “In the classes, we focus on curating an environment that allows students to be fully present in their body and not be tempted to judge or compare their movements to the person next to them." The lights are usually low, music high, and instructors work to bring you into the moment (like other yoga classes). This keeps your mind engaged and you focused on the fun and sweat so you almost forget about those around you.
"The class environment is extremely encouraging and you're likely to find even the most modest or shy student ripping off their shirt midway through to shake it in a sports bra.”
Expect movements like warrior I with hip circles, pulsing through planks and yoga squats, as well as leaps and chaturanga push-ups to fill up the workouts, which last anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour. The idea: Get lost in the moment and the movements and have a good time busting a move! “We view Buti as the practice of we,” she says. “This practice reminds you at a deep core level that you belong. The six-pack abs you get a result become a pleasant side effect.”
Here's what a beginner's Buti yoga class, taught by Bizzie herself, looks like in action:
What to know before your first Buti Yoga class
The Buti Yoga website offers online streaming, for beginners and advanced athletes alike, and ranging in duration and focus, like extra strength work or a deeper core burn. You’ll also spot equipment like bands and options for next-level movements like arm balances. In addition to streaming, you can find Buti workouts in DVD form or in-person classes across the country.
Keep in mind, you will work at a high intensity and often a quick speed, so Gold says to watch your form. But know that anyone and any level can join a class—even if you’ve never flowed before, says Gold.
How many calories can you burn in Buti yoga?
According to Gold, class goers can burn upward of 600 to 1,000 calories per session. But of course, that depends on your body type, how hard you push it, and how much rest you take between those cardio bursts or other moves.
But if you're looking for another way to gauge whether a Buti yoga class is worth it, consider that this heart-pumping, endorphins- inducing asana practice is pretty much guaranteed to boost your mood—no matter how fast you shake it.
Mallory Creveling, an ACE-certified personal trainer and RRCA-certified run coach, joined the Runner's World and Bicycling team in August 2021. She has more than a decade of experience covering fitness, health, and nutrition. As a freelance writer, her work appeared in Women's Health, Self, Men's Journal, Reader's Digest, and more. She has also held staff editorial positions at Family Circle and Shape magazines, as well as DailyBurn.com. A former New Yorker/Brooklynite, she's now based in Easton, PA.
