Zuzanna Bućko - Body Kind Yoga in Poland

New podcast with Zuzanna Bućko titled Body Kind Yoga in Poland out now. Zuza is a yoga teacher who directs and leads yoga classes at a retreat center in the remote mountains of Poland.

You can find Zuza on her IG profiles at:
@bodykind_yoga and @cialozyczliwa_joga

During this conversation we discuss topics like:

• What is the weather like in the mountains? 
• How she decided the path of yoga? 
• The political and economic situation in Poland.
• Intuitive eating and diet culture.
• Advice for people who are struggling with IBS. 
• The importance of unity in diversity. 
• Diet Culture and Yoga Culture. 

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Transcript

Todd McLaughlin: 0:33

Welcome to Native Yoga Toddcast. So happy you are here. My goal with this channel is to bring inspirational speakers to the mic in the field of yoga, massage bodywork and beyond, follow us @nativeyoga, and check us out at nativeyogacenter.com. All right, let's begin Welcome to Native yoga, Todd cast. And today, I have the pleasure of bringing Zuzanna Bucko to the podcast. Zuza is located in Poland. I'm going to include her website and her Instagram, all in the links below. And she her Instagram handle is at @bodykind_yoga. And her Polish version is@cialozyczliwa_joga and her website is included. So you can definitely check her out. She runs a hotel in the mountains of Poland. And she is a bit of an activist in the realm of an encouraging body kind body positivity and the yoga practice. And I really enjoyed this opportunity to speak with Zuza. She was so enlightening. And I really hope that you enjoyed this conversation. We would love to hear any feedback that you have. And thank you so much for tuning in. Let's go ahead and begin. I'm so happy to have the opportunity to have Zuzanna Bucko here with me today. And Zuza thank you so much for joining me. You're over in Poland. Can you tell me what time it is over there for you?

Zuzanna Bućko: 2:29

Yes, thank you for inviting me. It's half past noon. So we have like I think six hours of difference.

Todd McLaughlin: 2:39

Yes. Nice. Yeah. And what is the weather like there were in summer? Is it? What is the temp? And what is it? What is it like they're in summer.

Zuzanna Bućko: 2:48

So today is sunny, actually. So it's nice and warm. But I live in the mountains and I live quite high. So it's always a bit colder. So for me it's not perfect, because I love when it's very hot. But I was born in Poland. So what can I do?

Todd McLaughlin: 3:11

That's cool. I've never been I really, really want to visit Poland. It looks so beautiful. All the pictures that I see looks absolutely amazing. Did you grow up in that same community that you currently live? Or where in Poland Did you grow up?

Zuzanna Bućko: 3:27

So I grew up in a smaller town that is also in the mountains. It's not that far from where I live now. But now I live like two hours from from my hometown. So yeah, so definitely the landscape is quite different, I think than where you live. So we have a lot of you know, green landscape and yes, very, like Yes. Like I live in I usually say that I live in the middle of nowhere now because I live place that in here. There's nothing there's nothing here. There's only our hotel because I run a hotel and and

Todd McLaughlin: 4:20

it's nice. What type of hotel is it? Is it something? So you're a yoga teacher? Do you teach yoga at the hotel that you work at? Are you doing a little bit of everything? Do you manage it the center

Zuzanna Bućko: 4:35

so I do ever a little bit of everything. I manage it. So we started running this place two years ago, and we wanted to make it like an artistic place because me and my boyfriend we used to work in theater. So we wanted it to be artistic space like creative one. But then when I started to Chile developed into into first vegetarian restaurant which we had to close. And now it's more like a yoga space yoga room. So we have a space that we use for for different types of gatherings meetings, and I also teach yoga

Todd McLaughlin: 5:18

nice to people. Is it something that they are coming specifically to see in practice with you? Or is it more of a people are just passing through the town, and then you are happened to offer yoga classes for them?

Zuzanna Bućko: 5:37

So it depends, there are many people that come in that see that, oh, there's yoga here. So maybe I will try it. So for many people, it's like, perfect possibility to just try it and see what what, what it actually is yoga. And we also host like retreats. So they're also people come in with different teachers and the teachers like run their, their own retreat. In our space. Yes. And I organize my retreats.

Todd McLaughlin: 6:11

Also, very cool. You mentioned that you had a vegetarian restaurant, but that you had to close it. But what happened there.

Zuzanna Bućko: 6:19

So we started our hotel in, in COVID. So it was very, very rough in the beginning. And we wanted to have a restaurant because we thought it's like perfect space for restaurant. But actually the situation with the war that started later and everything, the economical crisis that we have in Poland, like it just killed our restaurant, and also our you know, Polish society is not very progressive in that matter, I would say. And so I think we need some more time to run this kind of business

Todd McLaughlin: 7:01

understand? Well, I applaud you for paving the way and being a pioneer in progressive yoga and vegetarian cafe culture. That's pretty amazing.

Zuzanna Bućko: 7:15

Can you think we were actually the only vegetarian restaurant in the mountains? I'm not sure. But like in Poland, it's something what people were really not very pleased. Because of that, but depends on who

Todd McLaughlin: 7:31

I can imagine my grandparents are from Poland. And they were not cooking anything close to vegetarian when I was around them as a kid. So I can imagine that is can you tell me a little bit about what how you got introduced to yoga and what your story is in relation to your journey into finding yoga?

Zuzanna Bućko: 7:57

Yes, yes, of course. So Oh, my gosh, the beginning of my story with you guys quite problematic. Considering what I do now, because I started doing yoga to lose weight. And as I think many people do, so I just was looking for some kind of activity because I had like, body image issues. And they, you know, I just, I was not the best time of my life when I wanted to lose my weight. So I started with fitness. But then I tried to platypus. And then I thought, maybe yoga. So as it I think quite often goes, I like that attracted to your guy that attracted to the philosophy of yoga and everything that considers you know, this, our practice. And then I found an amazing Ashtanga Yoga teacher. And I practice Ashtanga for two years. But in the like, in the middle of my path, my yogic path, I just felt to how to say say that. I felt it that Ashtanga wasn't for my body that it was too. I would say too hard, too competitive. I was too much in my ego that told me what should I do every day. So, so So I got to the point where I didn't really feel the pleasure of the practice, and I didn't really feel like it's fun. And I've I felt it's like, I need to do it every day, you know? So it was very badly kind approach. I don't tell I don't like to tell or say that. It's, it's like for everybody. Like every Ashtanga is like that, but it was in my case like my body wasn't I wasn't ready for this kind of, you know, physical effort.

Todd McLaughlin: 10:06

I understand. So I

Zuzanna Bućko: 10:07

wanted to change something, I needed to change something. And then I also felt that it's like, the container of Ashtanga was too strict for me that I needed more. More freedom also, because I feel that my body proportions aren't like perfect for Ashtanga. And that they didn't feel my best on the mat. So So I started to search for something different. And then I found awakening yoga Academy from Seattle, and I started practicing with them.

Todd McLaughlin: 10:45

Is this via an online Scituate online practice? Cool. Can you say that? Again? It's called awaken yoga. And they're in Seattle.

Zuzanna Bućko: 10:55

Yes, they're in Seattle, they have their studio. That's called commune studio. Cool. It's Patrick beach and carrying harps. And I found them I think on animals were when I was like, looking for inspiration. And then I found that they have their own studio, and they have also their own like academy that teaches teachers.

Todd McLaughlin: 11:22

Nice. Can you explain a little about the philosophy of that particular school and how that spoke to?

Zuzanna Bućko: 11:33

Yes, so they're very inclusive, I would say and the approach is more about this fact that everybody is different, and that we should think that we don't have to fit to the asana. But the asana need to fit to our body, our situation, the day we're in, because also every day is different. And every day, we feel something different. And I really liked also the idea that you need to focus on your inner teacher first, and not what the teacher tells you. So this really resonated in me, because I felt Oh, my God, I can listen to myself, you know, because when I was practicing Ashtanga, I was very, into the idea that what the teacher says is like, it's, I need to listen to that. And I can

Todd McLaughlin: 12:32

I can attest to that.

Zuzanna Bućko: 12:35

Yeah, yeah. So when I change it, it was like, mind blowing for me. And I felt that my body opened and, and I feel much more safe now. Nice.

Todd McLaughlin: 12:46

Wonderful, do you, when you because you're teaching in such a sounds like remote location? And obviously, it sounds like a variation of either people that are specifically coming for a retreat or a specific teacher and or people that are just kind of moving through? What is your what kind of response do you receive from new students in relation to your idea? I mean, I think your idea is, there's a lot of us that are thinking Similarily, but sometimes I don't know that. It's like the modern way of thinking or the or the common way of thinking about yoga. What type of response are you receiving from teaching in this direction?

Zuzanna Bućko: 13:34

Mm hmm. So when I teach here, in my hotel, I very often hear like, the feedback that oh, this is yokai fault. I thought yoga is just stretching, or I thought yoga is just sitting in silence and doing nothing. Or other way, I sometimes hear that I thought Yoga is a bit like fitness or something like that. So I really like to introduce yoga as a bit of muddied like meditation, a bit of breathwork a bit of Asana, like I like to introduce everything step by step and little by little, and I think it's not very common, like, for example, in gym or in fitness centers in Poland, so when people come to me, they're like, they don't really know if they like it. I think sometimes. But it's something interesting for them. And when I because I also teach online, so when I teach people that come to me that know yoga, they also had this feeling of freedom, because they vary. For example, very often I Someone asked me a question. What should I feel here in this in this asana on this in this pose? And I'm I always respond to what do you feel? I should ask you that, you know? Because it's not. I believe in yoga, I'm not the person who should tell my students what they should feel that it's like their experience. And I like focusing on the experience, and they really shocked when they they hear that from me because they like, you should tell me because they used to, and this type of narrative, I would say,

Todd McLaughlin: 15:44

Yeah, that's so interesting. How far away from Warsaw, are you?

Zuzanna Bućko: 15:51

All from Warsaw? It's like, I think seven hours. Wow, it's more so because I live like very close to Czech border. Like, like 20 minutes from Czech birthday. I actually live closer to Prague, because I have like two hours to Prague.

Todd McLaughlin: 16:08

Got it? And is would you say yoga is popular in Poland?

Zuzanna Bućko: 16:16

Yes, yes. I wouldn't say that. Definitely. Yeah, it's popular. But there are a lot of anger studios. And I would say some Ashtanga. Yeah, this prompt. We don't have, for example, how to yoga and Bikram yoga. It's it's really not.

Todd McLaughlin: 16:36

That never took off.

Zuzanna Bućko: 16:39

Because it had to retake. I just assume it's expensive to make a studio for Poland because we don't squat.

Todd McLaughlin: 16:50

Right, right. In a cold climate, it takes a lot of energy to generate that type of external heat. Do you do can you talk a little bit about what the Met you've made mention of two things, the the war that's going on in Ukraine, and then the economic crisis that's occurring in polling? I'm curious, can you tell me like economically, what is happening? Is it a very challenging time there? Or what? What are you going through there?

Zuzanna Bućko: 17:21

Yeah, so this year is like a tiny bit better? I would say that it starts getting better. But yeah, but the you know, the inflation is like, terrible and political situation is also not the best, I would say we have very conservative government, and I don't really think it will change soon. So so there's a lot of I would say, corruption and not very interested in or I would say, not very nice situations, and like, the worst situation is like escalating all the tensions and you know, it's, it's quite hard, although, when I live here, in this remote place, I don't experience this so much. I experienced more like economical, we experienced the economical issues

Todd McLaughlin: 18:28

is what is the majority of the Polish population against what's happening in Ukraine? Or do you feel like there? Because I guess maybe what we can see in a lot of different countries is that there's like such extreme polarization between, you know, our ideologies. And so I'm curious if does it does it feel like everybody in Poland is like, Oh, this is horrible. This is right in our backyard? Or is there are there? Are there people in Poland that are pro the war? Because I mean, we see all sorts of crazy stuff here, like, things that you think how could someone actually be for something and they're like, so for it, and this extreme polarization? Are you experiencing the same thing there?

Zuzanna Bućko: 19:14

So concerning the war, I wouldn't say so because it's so close that it's hard to be pro, because it's like, almost here. There were some incidents on our borders. So I think people are very scared of that. And we're very, very afraid that it will like no spread to our country. And in the beginning of war. We, as a society, I would say we were very helpful and we, you know, many refugees from Kenya live here still. So in the beginning, the response was actually I would say surprise singly good from our society. Now it's, it depends on the situation because you know, for for long run, it's it's never it's never colorful, I would say. So of course the conservative, I would call it this way. Part of our society doesn't really like them staying in in Poland.

Todd McLaughlin: 20:29

See, I get that. I mean, I can see what you're what you're saying.

Zuzanna Bućko: 20:35

Yeah, we are a very polarized society, I would say, like, there is 50% of, of people of very conservative and 50% of people more liberal, but the other 50% goes to voting. So yes. So you know,

Todd McLaughlin: 21:00

is, is Poland, a very religious society? And then I'm curious if being a yoga teacher do you need to tiptoe around introducing something that I know sometimes people might feel like it's at odds with their religious or philosophical background? What is that feeling like there?

Zuzanna Bućko: 21:27

Yes, so we're very, very Catholic society. Although I think that people that come to me know, my, are they aware of my point of view, and they are aware of what I think about the political situation and about the word and the religion. So I don't really think that I tract people have different opinions to my classes. But I've heard for example, that, you know, as soon as our satanic alphabet, something like that, they that they are the way to communicate with Satan, for example. And also priests in in Poland that tell people not to go to yoga, because it's like, Satan, and everything like that. So there are people coming to me and saying, I want to practice Asana or physic I want to practice in physical way, but I don't want to meditate. I can't meditate, because my priest told me that I can't meditate. Got it. And I also experienced, like, people walking out from my class, because I end my class with meditation. So they and it's okay, if you don't want to, you don't need to, yes, but, but I don't feel the need to like, not do it. Because, you know, I believe meditation is very state that is very similar to prayer in charge, like, when you're a person of faith. So I don't really see a lot of difference. I think we do the same, but with different backgrounds or different contexts. I would say, I agree

Todd McLaughlin: 23:21

Sousa. Do. Can you talk a little bit about your journey with your Instagram handles body kind? Yoga? And can you speak a little bit about and I heard you mentioned that you're like an act, you feel like you're an activist in relation to promoting being thinking of ourselves, instead of as, like being whole already, as opposed to measuring us up against this model of what fit culture looks like. Can you talk a little bit about what your dream and vision is in that direction?

Zuzanna Bućko: 24:01

Yes, of course. So when I started my account, I was like, I just wanted to help people what I always wanted to hear when I started doing yoga, so I wanted to hear the message that was far from fit culture and far from also diet culture, because I think that diet culture is very into our yoga world. And because I also like experience yogic you know, I tried to yogic detoxes and things like that. That didn't really help me I would say they they made my relationship with my body and with food even more complex, and they were more troublesome so. So I wanted to share a message that was not like associated with feed culture and diet culture. It was my aim. It was also the beginning of me going into intuitive eating. So I was really into that.

Todd McLaughlin: 25:07

Nice. You said an intuitive eating. Is that what you said? Yes, yes.

Zuzanna Bućko: 25:13

Yeah. And this, like, it happened that many people that came to me that were attracted with what I said. They were people that felt excluded from yoga word. So they were people that wanted to do yoga but didn't really feel in the right place. Because, you know, as in Poland, I think, and Aranda in different countries, I think many, like, fancy yoga studios are like dominated by, you know, capable bodies. young, beautiful bodies. And I'm not against against those people. It's not like that, of course. But I think we should have the space for everyone and for everybody. Agree. Yes, yes. And this, and then I met many people online, on Instagram that also ran, for example, intuitive eating accounts, and I met my friend who has an account promoting body positivity from men's perspective. Nice. So yes, and they work with them now. So it's wonderful. Yes. So it's really nice.

Todd McLaughlin: 26:40

Can you explain intuitive eating, or intuitive? Eating sounds pretty obvious to me what that might entail. But can you explain that a little bit further, please?

Zuzanna Bućko: 26:54

Yes, of course. So I'm not an expert. I'm not, I don't consider myself an expert. I'm, I'm more like, I promote the idea. And every time I redirect to the people that are that are actually experts in this matter. But of course, it's it's this idea. It's an anti diet idea. That comes from them, the discovery that when you're in this loop of diets and restrictions, it doesn't like you can get into in any good place, you only restrict your body image. Problems get more and more complex and more and more hard to solve. So diets don't work. Simply, they don't work. So what can we do? And what can we do is to have our relationship relationship with food better. So there are different steps. And like the most important is not to restrict, and the idea when you start restricting, it's like, it's not that you will eat pizza every day, or you will eat sweets every day, you will have cravings for everything, because everything is fine. Everything is food. And it's also the idea not to make food bad or good. And we tend to do that in our world.

Todd McLaughlin: 28:33

I know. It's so fascinating, right? Because I've definitely, you know, pushed myself into different diet situations. And I find it fascinating that you're saying, the idea of if you're coming from a place of restriction, what that actually does to our psyche, you're right, I mean, it really is a fairly not a happy place, is it?

Zuzanna Bućko: 28:58

Yes, yes. And I'm also not an expert in Ayurveda, but I remember when I found our VEDA I thought, it's amazing. The idea that there is like, different food is better for different people, right? Like every person should eat something different to feel good. And then we have those detoxes that tell us to drink on the green juices and like yeah, it's terrible.

Todd McLaughlin: 29:36

I hear you do do you have a Do you feel like you have to constantly come up with affirmations and different things to like tell yourself and or to remind yourself that you are okay. And that how you are right now is actually okay and that a restriction isn't going to then all of a sudden make our lives like perfect all A sudden Do you know do you still battle that a little bit or, or half? Or are you in a place where you've been keeping it going long enough that you feel like it just is coming more natural for you.

Zuzanna Bućko: 30:11

So I would say I'm not in the perfect place because I consider myself still on my path. So intuitive eating and to feeling good with my body and what I publish on Instagram. And what I do on Instagram is also like, I sometimes love that it's kind of therapy, that I write about things that I also feel they are problematic for me. Because it's not like I you know, I don't step on my mat and I, I have this ego going on, that tells me what I should do today. And my body says something different. And so I'm still in progress, I would say, and, because also, also because of my health situation, because as I write on Instagram, also, I suffer from IBS. So so this is also you know, very problematic when you want to be physically capable, and to love your practice, but then your body is like shutting you down and tells you now you won't do it because you feel pain, and you have to you know, deal with the pain. And you have to like, do something to feel not feel bad about yourself. Right?

Todd McLaughlin: 31:38

I can you help me understand IBS? A little bit more? Is that something that you have had? When was the first time that you remember experiencing that? Was it something when you were a child? Or is it something more reset?

Zuzanna Bućko: 31:51

So it's something more recent, because I've never had problems? I think the situation that, like my I would say work situation and everything that happened during pandemic, and yes, like those free last year's were quite rough. And to that I added, like physical, very hard to practice. And my body was like, now I sign off. I don't want to do that. Yes, I feel like that. I started experiencing like, like, huge pain. And I was for a long time, I didn't know what that is actually. And then I, I got this, this information that it's IDs. So you know, from the doctor, you hear just you will live with that. You need to figure it out how to live with that, because you know, it's like a nervous system that can cope with everything that's happening, and then affects the digestive system. It's Yes, like, so

Todd McLaughlin: 33:08

is it a little bit of something where they just kind of say it's in your head and or do you have to just manage your stress and hopefully that will solve? Yeah, cure? Yeah.

Zuzanna Bućko: 33:19

Yeah. So they're like, every person has different history and every person has different situation. But in my case, it's like, it's from my head and from stress that I experienced. So yes, so I had to do something to distract myself. And it was very fun because I was doing yoga. I was living drinking green juices and I was like, and now I'm sick. Why? You know that shouldn't they shouldn't make me feel this way.

Todd McLaughlin: 34:00

Yes, I can relate Sousa is so fascinating, isn't it when you when you think you're putting all of the pieces in the right order to fit into what we think is gonna be like the answer. And then after a few years of it, we look and go, was I doing it actually the opposite of what I needed to do.

Zuzanna Bućko: 34:21

Yes. Yeah. Yeah, okay. That was also the moment when I you know, I had to change something, because otherwise my body wouldn't let me do what I was doing. Yeah, that

Todd McLaughlin: 34:39

I understand. I understand. Do have people that are coming to and seeking a solution for their, you know, it says if I have IBS, and I see that you're communicating some level of support and or just letting people know, hey, this is um, this is what I'm going through. Are you having people Letter coming to you and asking for advice sindoor solution.

Zuzanna Bućko: 35:06

So definitely I attract people that have some kind of issues like body issues, health issues. So I would say they come to me for an advice. Of course, I'm not a doctor, and I don't give medical advice. But the advice I give is to be more body kind and more body hour, and not be always in what we want and what we strive for, but in what we feel now and what we can do to feel better.

Todd McLaughlin: 35:46

Nice. Do you have a specific suggestion? Like say, if I'm, if I'm going into my head, like, oh, boy, wow, I'm putting on weight. This has to change. Okay, tomorrow, tomorrow, I'm gonna be really good. I'm only going to drink water, or whatever. Do you? Do you have a protocol and or a certain method or steps or certain things that you do when you start to catch yourself going into that space? Is there anything that you recommend and or could suggest for those of us that are feeling that way?

Zuzanna Bućko: 36:27

So a huge change for me that helped me was to unfollow everyone that is, like, from diet culture, and Bill Carter, and to start, get around people that feel the same and think the same? Smart. So, yes, yes, it's very helpful, because it's not the problem that you know, being sad, or being big or being plus size, any word that you want to use, I consider a word fat as an ultra word so. So it's not bad. It's just that we don't see that on TV, or we don't see that on social media. So when we see that we think, Oh, it's something different. But when you start, like, I follow a lot of like, very diverse people, and then when I follow them, I start having those intrusive thoughts about me, and about my appearance, and then how I look. So I think this support group and support community that I tried to also build on my account is like is very helpful.

Todd McLaughlin: 37:49

Nice. That's good advice. Can you explain a little bit like the last time you had a chance to get to practice like hatha yoga and or like Asana yoga, can you give me a little insight into how you approach it and what type of poses you enjoy practicing and or, like what your practice is like?

Zuzanna Bućko: 38:16

Okay, so I practice vinyasa style. I like I really like a diversity in my practice. So I really so you know, from Ashtanga, it was like everyday very strong everyday. And now I like to have like strong and fast vinyasa practice one day and like in yoga another day, and another day more like Hotstar a bit slower, less dynamic, then I like to know some mobility practice so so I really enjoy diversity and I feel it it makes my body really just feel good. Because the balance in my body.

Todd McLaughlin: 39:09

Nice. I saw that you obviously you speak English very well. Clearly you speak Polish. And I saw on your Instagram account that that you offer classes in Spanish. Is that true?

Zuzanna Bućko: 39:27

Yes. I mean, I speak Spanish because I was studying Spanish and then it's like the best language for me and I love Spain and I love being there. So yes, I hope in the future I will have more Spanish connections.

Todd McLaughlin: 39:45

Is there a is there a fourth language to

Zuzanna Bućko: 39:50

and I speak a bit German, but it's it's very stressing me out speaking German. Always it's like a In Poland, we learn, you know, English or German. It's cool. So now English and German or something like something like French, and German, it's because of our complicated history and you know, everything. So we associate this language, not very positive, it will not with positive, you know, I understand emotions and things. So, so I always wanted to learn German, but I understand, but I can't speak.

Todd McLaughlin: 40:36

Is it almost like, is it like looked down on if you live in Poland and you learn German is that something hurts? Like, why would you be learning German? You shouldn't learn that language. Is there a little bit of that in the Polish culture?

Zuzanna Bućko: 40:49

Um, no, I wouldn't say that. It's just it's very complex. Because we need to learn German because many Polish people, like many poles go to Germany at work, and they work there. So it's very useful to know German, in my country. But yes, definitely, we don't want to learn it. This feeling that we don't want to, because, you know, because of the history that the war history and things that happened before,

Todd McLaughlin: 41:30

I understand that, I mean, that must exist all over the world, right? Because, I mean, we have a little bit of that going on here in us because people are, like, you know, everybody should be speaking English. And if someone doesn't take the time to learn English, you know, and there's that sort of aggressive friction of like, you know, because there's people from everywhere here and there's there is a little bit of that too. It might be a different flavor of that, but what about when you go to Prague do do Can you speak Czech as well? Or can you know completely different right, like completely different? Ah,

Zuzanna Bućko: 42:07

it is very different. I mean, I can speak Czech but when I go there, I understand we can understand each other when people's when people from Poland speak Polish and Czech people speak the language we can understand each other somehow, like in basic situations, like when we want to order something or, or talk about the weather, or something like that. We can communicate. Yes, but it's, it's the language is very funny for us. And I think our language is funny for them.

Todd McLaughlin: 42:46

You know, I tried to pronounce your Instagram name in Poland. Can you say that word for me, please?

Zuzanna Bućko: 42:52

Yes, it's a challenge achiever yoga.

Todd McLaughlin: 42:54

Awesome. I'm gonna have that in the link so we can just click on it and not have to. I won't try to repeat that one. And then can you just say a few sentences in Polish just so I can hear it? You can say anything. You could just talk about yoga for a little bit. I just I love language and so I just just to hear it from it. I really appreciate like, I don't know if you're like thinking like what should actually say, but we won't even know.

Zuzanna Bućko: 43:26

But can you give me some kind of questions so that I can

Todd McLaughlin: 43:32

can you talk about the difference between Warsaw and where you are in the mountains?

Zuzanna Bućko: 43:40

Okay. Dance. Verse Chava. To do Jamya stone to study itsa I am Yash come bologna. What is the trigger? I need say yes. Needs to titanium APRA. Here now blue jewel. Summer last, he should order a golden and

Todd McLaughlin: 44:07

beautiful. I remember my grandparents speaking it. And so that's why I just every time every now and again. I like to when I meet people that speak Polish. I'm like, just to hear it. It's like it almost rings a bell somehow. That's cool. Thank you. So where do you like what is your dream and ambition moving forward? Are you? Do you plan to stay where you are? And would you like to live the rest of your life? Like where you are in that were in that part of Poland? Or what are some of your dreams and aspirations in relation to the work that you're doing?

Zuzanna Bućko: 44:44

Okay, very complicated question. I know

Todd McLaughlin: 44:51

it's hard for it. It's a hard question for everybody to answer, right? They all sound like what do I want to do? I mean, I'm just trying to get by right now. Like what are you talking about? Bye But I think it's important to dream a little bit.

Zuzanna Bućko: 45:03

Yes, of course, it just very difficult for me because we live here. And I mean, me and my boyfriend who live here in the hotel, and everyone that comes here says like, oh, it's such a beautiful place. It's so amazing living here. It's like, it's a paradise, you know, for you probably it would be because it's like a different landscape. And it's, we have a wonderful view from from our balcony. But, you know, the reality is when you live here, and do you see this view every day? Like you get used to that? And do you live it at work? So there's always someone that wants something from you? And there are like millions of problems? And yes, it is. It's not an easy situation. It's not always like you. You think it may be? So So definitely, I have dreams have not been here the whole time. So so in the future, I would love to spend some time here, of course, but also leave, maybe, for example, two marks each year in Spain and be there because I really feel it's a place that charges me or does my soul because it's an amazing place to be in. And yoga wise. I now I'll be starting my online studio. So I will publish every month new practices, and I hope that more people can practice with me like online from from Poland.

Todd McLaughlin: 46:50

Nice. Nice. That's cool. Can you tell me what is winter where you are snowy to snow covered mountains like and a long winter? Like, like? So maybe maybe Spain in the winter? Is that? Is that what I was?

Zuzanna Bućko: 47:13

So where I live we have a winter from it starts in November, and it ends in like different, even in March. Yeah. So it's like a long time. And then there are months when the weather is like, cold. Or it's like windy and gray. I'm just over. Yeah. Yeah. It's an exaggeration. But I'm the person that doesn't like Polish winter. And I'm always always like, I don't like this. You know? So we actually have, I would say two months or three months of like, good weather.

Todd McLaughlin: 47:56

Yeah. Which is right now. I'm guessing right now? Yes, yes. Yes. Now,

Zuzanna Bućko: 48:02

it will be like, June, July and August. So those are three warmer months? I would say. Yes. So that's why, for me, like for the kind of person I am, it's very hard to have like no, nine months of cold call coldness. And and you know,

Todd McLaughlin: 48:29

I hear Yeah, well, I'll have to reach out to in the middle of winter. To do this again, I'll try my best to cheer you.

Zuzanna Bućko: 48:41

Up, but we have perfect places to go for skiing, and different kinds of winter activities. So people

Todd McLaughlin: 48:53

you know, I love to travel. And when I was young, I started or when I got out of high school, I started traveling and when I started going international. I really appreciated hearing what other people thought about the states and people in America, you know us because I was just in my little us bubble. And when I got out of it. I was like, huh, wow, that's so fascinating. Because all we hear about is news here. We're not a very like internationally news orientated culture. And when I lived in Australia for a little while, and I found in Australia, there was like, I was getting news from Indonesia, and I was hearing news about what was going on in Europe. And then I was in I was getting all these different stories and I thought, Gosh, man, when I'm in the States, I just never really even know about what's happening outside of this little bubble. And so I'm not trying to get you to say something that would like, you know, offend anybody but I'm really curious what the, how we look from your angle. You know, you can say something that would you know, I'm not worried about you, you know, you can offend me or I want to take offense at you saying anything, you know, but I'm just curious how we look from the European angle.

Zuzanna Bućko: 50:08

Hmm. So I mean, Europe is like very diverse, I would say. So I would assume that every country has different attitudes towards the United States. But from my perspective, like from Polish perspective, from a perspective of a person that grew up in times when, yeah, you know, I was born in 95. So actually, it was the time when everything that was Western started to come into Poland, because we were after this trance in, we were in the middle of transformation, I would say. So for me, it's like, you know, this big world, and everything that's good comes from America and from United States. And it's like, when I was growing up, I was dreaming about living in New York. I was like, it was I will live in New York. So it just, it just says, Well, what? What help say that? What is our, like, imaginary concept of fear? Yes, yes. Yes. So, it I still feel like that. I mean, I think we were when you live in the country like Poland, you need to be interested in what's going on? In what's going on around the world, right. So for me, definitely United States, or we're always something interesting, something I wanted to know more about. And very fascinating. We, we really want to go there for for a longer period of time and visit many places. Because, you know, we've always like we grow in, in a word when you hear about it, and you listen about what's there. What's interesting there, what you can see there. And you know, the whole cinematography that we watch is, of course, from United States. So you're surrounded by that, but you never experienced it and go there. So interesting. Yeah, so we definitely want to go. And but it's expensive for us. So so we need to wait.

Todd McLaughlin: 52:48

Appreciate that, as is

Zuzanna Bućko: 52:50

amazing that we live in a time where we can like, connect, and we can I can practice online with teachers. It's tight. So it's like, Oh, my God.

Todd McLaughlin: 53:01

I know, I think this is so incredible, to be honest, to be able to just Well, first of all, thank you for being so open about meeting with me being that, you know, we just had very brief interaction through social media. And I think that, you know, that's what I love about our current technology that you and I can just, like, meet up and see each other so far apart in the world, I think that this can foster, like Unity. You know, I think it's possible that we can all I believe it's possible that we can all get along, globally. Yeah. That's, that's one of my dreams. And I think so I think it's incredible that we'll a that you are open to meeting like this. And I do agree, like we can actually, like, transcend space and time now, you know, in some respects, so. But I do appreciate you saying that or just hearing that because I often I think I have this perspective where I feel like globally, I don't know how people look at us, like I sometimes think people think we might be cool. And other times I think people might be think we're monsters, you know, like and so it's a very interesting, so to hear your perspective is really I like it. Thank you.

Zuzanna Bućko: 54:27

That's always very concerned who's who's the president of the United States interest. It's a big deal for us and it matters.

Todd McLaughlin: 54:40

So, can you give me a little snapshot? I want to be respectful of your time and now we're getting close to our hour mark here. Can you you said it was round about midday. Can you give me a little bit more snapshot into what the rest of your day will look like in terms of your like routine and like just the nitty gritty of like what you actually What to do today?

Zuzanna Bućko: 55:03

Oh, yeah, yes, of course. So actually Mondays and Tuesdays are like days that I do a lot of things with yoga. So today I will record a practice for the online studio. And I will also prepare myself because on Wednesday, yes, on Wednesday, I have like a webinar on fat yoga. So I will speak with two amazing people about practicing yoga plus size body, and about inclusive yoga and all that. All that. So I need to prepare for that, because it's very stressful.

Todd McLaughlin: 55:45

That's so cool. So is that a thing? That? I mean, I like what you're doing. Because I, I think it's amazing that people would be repelled by yoga. Because of the imagery of only really thin people doing it. And or, like a lot of times we see the pictures, and it's very, if we look back, say to India, often a lot of imagery we saw was a very thin men practicing, wrapped up in these incredibly complicated sort of positions. That yeah, that would be like, you know, if I am unable to approach that, then I think, well, I can't do yoga then. Right. And we hear that all the time from all over the place. Like I can't go to yoga, because I'm not flexible. So I like that. I really appreciate what you're doing. I think it's important. Can you can you explain a little bit more about some of the feedback you receive from people when you take this approach and start kind of cultivating a space where you're saying, Look, no, it's actually possible for you to do this. I let me demonstrate for you and show you or encourage you. Can you tell me a little bit like what sort of response or some of the maybe comments you might have received from students and or people you practice with that have given you encouragement and made you feel like I am doing what I need to do and this is my my path.

Zuzanna Bućko: 57:13

Yeah. So so definitely they I experienced gratefulness for like creating the space where they can feel safe, and where they don't have to talk about celery juice and no practicing

Todd McLaughlin: 57:35

celery. So when someone brings up celery juice, you just go Oh, no, not again.

Zuzanna Bućko: 57:42

I don't have anything against the juices because I love drinking juices. But first not to lose weight. And second, no celery juice is a big no, no. But I always I think that it's it's funny, and I say that as a joke. But then I go to a studio to practice yoga. And lately there was this conversation about juice from parsley. And I was like, no parsley.

Todd McLaughlin: 58:14

No, yeah. Now the celery doesn't doesn't match up. Parsley is the new new cure all juice that's gonna like fix everything. I'm guessing though, from the IBS perspective, couldn't celery just wreck you like just drinking straight celery juice for days? Like couldn't that be? From what I understand? You know, that could be really challenging on the stomach?

Zuzanna Bućko: 58:38

Yes, I think so. But for me, this is like the the taste of the celery is it's impossible impossible for me. Right? Yes, but you know, it's just an example of how diet culture, like camps and like, plus, there's to everything to our old situations, yoga situations. And just, I think when you start being mindful of how, for example, plus size people may feel when they stand there and they listen to this conversation about losing weight, and there's a girl that is super fun, and she talks about how she needs to lose weight and you're like, Please, stop.

Todd McLaughlin: 59:30

Because we see that too, right? No matter how skinny we get how thin we get, we still have to go. It's so fascinating. It's

Zuzanna Bućko: 59:41

like, you know, it's your, your freedom you can want it's okay to want to lose weight, like it's your body you choose. But I think it's it's it's very important to not be Not to create the situations that are like that create discrimination to other people like to other bags, you know. So when you when there's a person that posts on Instagram only, like, you know, very fancy asanas and very fancy poses, and it's fine, you can do that it's great, great for you. But by showing only this, you showed that yoga is only this. And you know, I can do a headstand. But maybe I can show a step before heads down to how you can prepare for headstand for a person that doesn't do that, you know. So

Todd McLaughlin: 1:00:44

the point is, is to be encouraging to it's like, holding someone's hand, and just come Come with me here. Let me just show you this for a second versus, with whipping them to.

Zuzanna Bućko: 1:01:01

Yes, and I think it's like, you know, sort of teachers, it's, we very often say that it's obvious that it's not about body performance. But then when I see what people asked on social media and how they create their account, it's like, really, the performance is not the most important for you sometimes I you know, I doubt Yeah.

Todd McLaughlin: 1:01:27

It's funny, you just said I was just trying to think back into my past with. So I both my wife and I did go take Bikram yoga teacher training in Los Angeles, in 2002 1000. And I went in 2001 2001. Whoa, talk about like, obsession with the body, you know, on a, on a crazy scale. I mean, it kind of got it kind of got hammered into us, you know, and he was a really, he was really mean about it, he would say really straight up mean things to people about losing weight, and body size. And, you know, it takes time to undo all that. Would you agree like, you know, if you've been brainwashed, brainwashed is a strong word I know. But like when you've been kind of, even if you're around that, and you don't think that you think that way, just hearing that. So I guess that does go back to what you were saying in terms of your approach of unfollowing. And or not constantly looking at that type of philosophy, and embodying a little bit more of a, you know, kinder and inclusive philosophy. So I guess I just wanted to mention that just because it even just la culture in and of itself is very, like, extreme body, you know, culture.

Zuzanna Bućko: 1:03:00

Yeah, it definitely takes time. I think it has to happen like that, you know, when you, we are all raised in a diet culture. So I think it's, you know, it's like, for me, it's 28 years, and I want to undo it in one in one day, for example, so, so, yes, yes, yes, it takes time. And it takes it takes time to convince people that surround you also know what you think. And of course, they doesn't have to think the same, but it's nice when they like, aware of what you think and they are examples that stop talking things that may you know, ruin your progress in your, in your journey. So

Todd McLaughlin: 1:03:52

Well, I'm excited Zuza to watch, you continue doing what you're doing and to see, because you said you're only 28, right? Yes. Ah, that's amazing. You're so young, you have so much incredible time ahead of you. Like the next 20 years, how your career and your profession is gonna, you know, explode and keep building and growing. And so I'm really excited to you know, watch that. I think you're on a great path. And I really appreciate you taking time to meet with me to speak with me today and to share with our listeners do Is there anything else that you would like to add and closing? Is there any other tidbit of wisdom or advice? I mean, you've given us so many great things to think about so I don't want to pressure you and make you feel like you have to say anything more but is there anything else that you would like to share?

Zuzanna Bućko: 1:04:47

I would just like to share an advice to so when the listener or someone that listens to this conversation when you step on the mat next time just I would say be mindful of, of your body and what your body really wants. And where is your body wanting? And where is your ego wanting. So I think it's a great exercise. And I keep doing it every day because it's like, you can never stop working with your ego. So

Todd McLaughlin: 1:05:21

great. Thank you. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.

Zuzanna Bućko: 1:05:29

And that was really great.

Todd McLaughlin: 1:05:31

Thank you so much. I agree, Sam, as well. And I look forward to I'll be in touch with you here soon. Great. Thank you. Thank you. Native yoga podcast is produced by myself. The theme music is dreamed up by Bryce Allen. If you liked this show, let me know if there's room for improvement. I want to hear that too. We are curious to know what you think and what you want more of what I can improve. And if you have ideas for future guests or topics, please send us your thoughts to info at Native yoga center. You can find us at Native yoga center.com. And hey, if you did like this episode, share it with your friends, rate it and review and join us next time