Q&A with Pattie Stafford: Resident Yogini & Inner-Bliss Specialist

We unveiled the new GAIN Fitness just a couple weeks ago. And with it, we introduced Pattie Stafford, the creator of Butterfly Yoga. Today, we interviewed her to get a better understanding of her vision, inspiration, and why she thinks GAIN Fitness will change the world.

GF: What inspired you to become a Yogini?

PS: I believe I have always been connected and in tune with my body. As a child I played sports, and loved to swim and dance. When I discovered ballet, I found my first real talent and passion in life. It was to express emotion, beauty, love, and joy with my body. To move people and be moved through physical expression, giving people access to the essence of who we are and to our connection with one another.

I remember the first time I practiced Yoga was at a gym, and I really didn’t like it. I later realized it wasn’t Yoga that I didn’t like, it was the way it was presented and taught. It was purely physical and very static, so I made no connection. Maybe I just wasn’t ready for it, but it wasn’t until a few months later when I decided to give it another try with another teacher that I experienced the power of the breath. It was then that I experienced the peace that comes from a quiet-still mind, and it was then that I felt and knew the infinite, the essence and freedom that is within, and that blissful experience of unity in everything, that blissful experience we call Yoga. This is what I want to share. This is my life’s purpose, whether it be to inspire people through dance or through teaching integrative and inspiring Yoga practices.

GF: How did the idea of Butterfly Yoga start?

PS: Butterfly Yoga was my own personal expression of transformation. When we are connected to our essence we naturally make transformations throughout our entire lifetime, and yoga is a life long practice that can help you access that, and will grow and change with you through your journey.

I decided that it was my life’s purpose to teach and promote this transformational fitness, wellness, and joy through integrating Yoga with other intelligent mind-body awareness practices and modalities. It was through the creation of Butterfly Yoga that I found I could really use my talents and gifts to inspire and empower others to take charge of their health and well-being and to make that connection from the physical and mental to the spiritual.

“Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open.”
~ B.K.S. Iyengar

GF: What makes Butterfly Yoga different?

PS: Butterfly Yoga integrates many mind-body awareness practices such as Pilates, meditative martial arts, and graceful dance qualities into intelligent, free-flowing, and inspiring Yoga practices. I am so happy and excited to be working with GAIN Fitness to share Butterfly Yoga with the world, and to continue to grow and transform with you as we continue to work together to improve and bring you new, personalized, and innovative Yoga.