Meet Brooke Page-Thompson | Yoga Teacher & Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brooke Page-Thompson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brooke, how does your business help the community or world?
Buka Yoga is all about community. Community within Castle Rock and sharing yoga with everyone we meet. Since our inception, we’ve been partnering with local businesses around Castle Rock to share space and networks…focusing not just on our brand getting out but supporting our other local small businesses with our students. We have been offering donation based classes, which we use the proceeds each month to support a local family or charity. Earlier this year we sent our donations to Australia to support the wild fires, we’ve supported our local school district, students who lost their jobs during COVID and most recently to our local chapter of Black Lives Matter. I believe actions speak louder than words and I want our actions as a studio to be full of love, hope and support…no matter the race, religion, financial status or belief system you have. You are always welcome.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Buka Yoga was born in 2017…Buka means laughter. When I started down this journey I wanted Buka Yoga to reach a community of people. It was never meant to be an independent, secluded practice…it was always to be for anyone who wanted to start their journey. I grew up as a consultant…working in an industry job for over 15 years. Finding yoga opened my heart and my eyes that in order to truly live we have to live to our true selves. And a corporate job just wasn’t that for me anymore. So when I took over the yoga space I was teaching in…I wanted it to be a space of love, community and support. There were a lot of obstacles that came my way…some being self doubt and fear at my ability to make it work. But looking back on the last 13 months (5 of which have been in COVID land) what an amazing journey. I’ve learned we are able to pivot and flex…the human patterns can be altered and ideals changed. We had been testing the idea of Zoom since February of this year…because of all the snow days we were having. When we got notice that we had to close March 16 our entire schedule was online the next day. We didn’t miss a beat, and we grew as a community. Our teachers kept their practice up, our students still had their home community and we got to experience this crazy moment in life…together. It didn’t separate us…it drew us deeper in connection. We are stronger today than we’ve ever been and that is the power of community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start with a lovely paddleboard yoga with DragonFly Paddleboard Yoga in Colorado Springs (obviously summer months only). Then we’d head over to Garden of the Gods for a hike and a picnic. Maybe make a stop over in Manatoo Springs to Sun Mountain Spa for some treatments and sulfur pool soaks. We’d come back to Castle Rock and head over to Rockyard Brewery for happy hour and some shopping at Mod Mountain Boutique. Day 2 We’d go take a class at Buka Yoga and then head over to Boho for some crystals and oils shopping. We’d hit up Tamarind Indian for Lunch. Day 3 We’d go to Rockborough Park for a nice long hike. On our way home we’d stop off at Tonys Deli in Castle Pines for snacks and dinner. Day 4 We’d head up to Denver for lunch at La Loma’s in Downtown Denver. Awesome authentic Mexican food and atmosphere (they’re building one in Castle Rock now too!!). Maybe make a quick trip out to Red Rocks and climb the amphitheater stairs and enjoy the view. Day 5 we’d chill in town and to go Crowfoot Coffee for some local java and great pastries and then get massages at WildMoon Wellness (Hannah is just divine) Day 6 we’d go head over to the incline and hike up…rounding out our hike at Castle Rock Nutrition for some protein shakes and tea. Day 7 we’d lounge around…maybe head into town for some ice cream at Glacier Ice Cream and Gelato and walk over to festival park.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh the list could go on and on! First of all, my shout out goes to my husband. He has never doubted my ability or capability…even when I couldn’t see through the fog and mess of my own life. He always has a positive attitude and believes bigger things for myself than I imagine sometimes. My family, who asks the right questions…but provides the guidance and support needed to find my footing. Yoga. The practice of yoga. It found me (or I found it!) at a time I most needed something spiritual in my life. And it’s taught me so many things about the ability we all have within us. My community, my teachers and my mentors…Danny, Karey and many others that have supported me in this journey. COVID has taught us a lot about resilience and letting go of control. My local community has supported us through this journey and been a beacon of light and hope that we will survive. It’s never meant to be easy…and now more than ever the social networks we create and the relationships that burn the brightest are the ones that end up meaning the most.

Website: www.bukayoga.com
Instagram: bukayoga
Linkedin: Brooke Page-Thompson
Twitter: bukayoga
Facebook: bukayoga llc

Image Credits
Cyrus Pischel