Now is the time!

I am starting this blog to share some tips and tricks that I have learned on my teaching kids-yoga kids-parenting journey.  I wouldn't consider myself an expert, but I try to learn a little more each day!

I have my Masters of Education from the University of Minnesota and taught elementary school for 8 years until my first son, Everett, was born in 2008.  I am also a Certified YogaKids Teacher and opened Learning Tree Yoga--A Yoga Studio Just for Kids in Fall of 2008.  From starting with a small class of 3 great little girls, Learning Tree Yoga has grown to offering many classes each week at the studio, after-school enrichment programs, and at Kinderberry Hill Childcare Centers.  And, with the upcoming birth of son number 2 in January, we have grown from a staff of one to a staff of three!

The transition from first grade teacher to "on-the-go-mom" was one I always knew I would make.  Being a small business owner, well, that transition was new.  Even though I had grown up with an entrepreneur for a dad, I never thought that would be my path.  But today, I couldn't imagine it any other way.  I get to share something I am passionate about, yoga, with the people I'm most passionate about, children, all while spending as much time as possible with my family, my biggest passion of all.

My passion for yoga began my first year of teaching.  I was teaching first grade and had a class of 24 very needy children.  I had been doing yoga on and off since graduating high school, but now I found that I required it to get through some of the emotionally and mentally draining challenges that I was facing at work.  Yoga was making such a positive difference in the way I felt and the way I reacted to daily stress, that I figured there had to be a way to bring this to children.  After some research, I came across YogaKids International and immediately signed up for training and then certification.  I started sharing it with the students in my classroom and saw a quick difference.  Then, when I heard some great comments from substitutes and other teachers about the calm atmosphere in my classroom, I realized how well these tools were working.

Now, I can't wait to share some of these tools, activities and strategies with you, my fellow parents and educators.  Check back often, or subscribe to our feed.  My goal is to help all of you "grow smart, healthy kids through yoga!"