Today we’d like to introduce you to Malaika Floyd.
Malaika, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in Washington DC. Both of my parents were Peace Corps volunteers, and when they completed their international work in various African countries, they relocated back to the DC area. At the age of one, I moved to Atlanta with my mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. I was lucky to have three beautiful women raise me. My mom being a devout Catholic insisted that I attend Catholic school, and so I did from kindergarten until my senior year of high school. I went to St. John the Evangelist School, as well as Marist High School in Atlanta. From a very young age, I was always connected to the arts, particularly dance. The irony of it all is that my mom put me in dance classes because I had no rhythm and couldn’t clap to a beat lol. When I was four, she enrolled me in classes at a local ballet studio. I was hooked right from the beginning. I became serious about dance very quickly and began training at various studios, including Clayton Ballet Festival, Ballethnic Dance Company, and eventually became a pre-professional dancer at the Atlanta Ballet throughout high school. I then went to college at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance in Westchester, NY where I received my BFA in dance with a focus in choreography. Right after college, I moved into Manhattan to pursue my dance career. A few months after graduating, I joined Martha Graham’s second company (Graham II) and then had the honor of dancing throughout Europe with the first company a few years later. I also danced at the Metropolitan Opera as well as Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular for three years. In between shows, I started teaching fitness classes such as barre, pilates and HIIT at one of NYC’s top studios, Exhale Spa.
Things were going incredibly well as far as my career was concerned, but my life at home was changing. I noticed my mother’s memory starting to fade, becoming worse and worse every few months. After two appointments with neurologists in Atlanta, she was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. So at the age of 27, I left my career in New York City and moved back home to Atlanta to care for my mother. I am an only child. Most of our family was in Alabama and Colorado, so it was clear that I had to make this move. Due to the stress of helping me care for my mom, I do believe my grandmother became ill and was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and lymphoma just two years later. My life became a balancing act of teaching fitness classes part-time, going back to school, and never-ending doctor appointments. Between my mother and my grandmother, we had medical visits at least 3-5 days a week, almost every week for years. It was draining for all of us and something had to give. I knew I had to find ways to keep myself centered for the family. That’s when my interest in yoga, meditation and mindfulness started to blossom.
I began teaching classes locally in Atlanta at Infinity Yoga (now known as Yoga Works). Yoga and meditation gave me the balance and strength that I needed. Being in a yoga environment more frequently, I started to notice this thing (lol) called soundbaths being offered for the public. Out of curiosity, I just wanted to try it. When I went to my first soundbath, I think my life changed forever. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced. At that moment… at the end of the soundbath, I finally realized just how much stress, worry, anxiety and tension I was holding in my body. I was the most relaxed I had felt in years. From then on, I kept finding local soundbaths throughout the city to attend every few weeks. For the first time in years, I was hooked, but this time on something besides dancing.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I believe my challenges have become a part of my empowerment journey. Without these obstacles, I wouldn’t be doing the work I love so much now! Encouraging others to find consistency, focus and discipline are all at the centerfold of my mission, but I firmly believe that a self-care regimen is crucial for success and happiness. As my grandmother’s illness worsened, I decided to purchase my first set of singing bowls with the intention of playing for her, my mother and even for myself. I was hoping to ease her anxiety and pain through sound therapy. It was also something that could bond us all together. Not too long after, I was inspired to pursue formal training in Vibrational Sound Therapy with Gabriel Sears in Atlanta, as well as Sara Auster based in Brooklyn, NY. It has now become my passion to offer sound therapy, meditation and therapeutic movement to women, professionals, and caregivers as a form of self-care. It may sound cliché, but it’s so true that our challenges can also lead us to our destiny. If we are open and receptive, life teaches us the lessons that we really need. Being a caregiver on my own helped me to fully understand the importance of self-care. This is why I’m so passionate about sound therapy, yoga, meditation and dance. Despite anyone’s lifestyle or circumstances, no one can truly thrive if they’re lacking in the self-love department. These beautiful healing modalities have changed my life for the better and it is now my mission to share them with others.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a wellness coach based out of Atlanta, Georgia and the founder of Flo & Vibe LLC. I use therapeutic movement and sound healing to empower women, professionals and caregivers, shifting them out of fight-or-flight daily demands and deep into parasympathetic state. This results in their increased focus, productivity and inner peace both at work and at the home! By blending sound-healing, yoga and functional movement, I have had the honor of connecting with my clients on a truly holistic level. I offer over 14 years of experience to the fitness and yoga world both in Atlanta and in New York City. Leading with a mind, body, and spirit approach, I strive to guide my clients into living healthier and more balanced lives.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was born in Washington DC, but grew up in South Atlanta. I attended St. John’s the Evangelist School in Hapeville from Kindergarten – 8th grade and The Marist School in Atlanta for high school. I also trained at Atlanta Ballet 5 days a week after school from age 14-18.
Contact Info:
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Email: malaikafloydatl@gmail.
com -
Website: www.malaikafloyd.com
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Instagram: @malaikafloyd
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Facebook: @malaikafloydatl
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.
com/channel/ UCqVJ5NwxBDPTw1Kw1aUQhgQ
Image Credits
Michelle Norris @michellenorris Chase Burford @adventurephotog
