After a life of dance, I was introduced to yoga in 1991 at YogaWorks with Seane Corn.  It felt so good and I have practiced ever since.  I loved my corporate work in sales and marketing until the birth of my daughter in 2002.  I was shocked to experience that significant achievements in my career became instantly irrelevant and I began to think about how I could be with my daughter and contribute something meaningful to other children and families.  While practicing yoga, in savasana (final relaxation), thoughts of...yoga and kids...kept coming to me and I felt inspired. 

With the intention of creating a nurturing space where families could connect, bend, breathe and have fun together, I collaborated with strong teachers, pediatric experts, completed Ashtanga yoga teacher training under the direction of Larry Schultz at It’s Yoga, Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga teacher training, and became a Certified Infant Massage Instructor.   After years of research, development and teaching yoga to kids in schools, we opened the first yoga studio designed for kids and families in the Presidio of San Francisco in February 2006.   

Since then, It's Yoga, Kids, and its teachers, have been featured in Today.com, Yoga Journal, Yogi Times, YOGA + Joyful Living and seen on ABC’s View From The Bay television show. Leading classes, trainings, events and workshops at our studio and around the world, we have personally experienced, researched and seen the benefits of yoga for all ages and abilities, and we look forward to sharing yoga with you!

Namaste,

Michelle Wing, RYT, CIMI

As Founder and Executive Director, Michelle is responsible for the vision and operations of It's Yoga, Kids.  She has dedicated herself to the nurturing development, health and well-being of children of all ages and abilities through yoga and infant massage. A classically trained ballet dancer from the age of 7, she trained and taught movement to children for 8 years and danced professionally at Walt Disney World, Florida, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.  She graduated with a B.S. in Marketing from Arizona State University, and completed her 13 year corporate career in sales and marketing at Microsoft to create It’s Yoga, Kids. 

Michelle and her husband, Rich, have been married and living in San Francisco for 19 years. They are truly passionate about living in this city by the bay with their children, Kate, 8 years old, and Jack, 5 years old.

Our certified yoga instructors have a variety of experience with yoga and children.  They adhere to the California Yoga Teachers Association Code of Professional Ethics, and complete a thorough screening process to work with children.   As qualified professionals, they "tune-in" to each participant in their classes and engage and adapt to the needs of the overall group to maximize satisfaction. Students are never forced into any position or to participate in yoga.

Alexis Azzam

Alexis discovered yoga as a respite for her work as a counselor with underserved children and families. Originally a tool for her own relaxation and stress-management, yoga became a practice of play and interconnection. Alexis is passionate about the practice and effects of Yoga on children, both as individuals and as members of family and community. Alexis completed a 200 hour Child and Family Yoga training with Mira Binzen of Global Family Yoga and a 200 hr adult training with YogaView in Chicago in 2008. Alexis is currently a Masters Student in the Somatic Psychology Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies. Having developed a commitment to the health of families in her work as a child care provider, teacher, hospital chaplain, and counselor, she incorporates the creativity of play, the exploration of expression, and the sense of connection fostered within Child and Family Yoga, in her future role as a marriage and family therapist.

Brooke began her yogic path in 1999 and found her mind, body, and heart were transformed through her practice. She completed her first 200-hour teacher training with Nikki Estrada at YogaWorks and completed the It’s Yoga, Kids Certification Course.  She also finished an additional 200-hour training in Kundalini yoga.  For nearly ten years, Brooke worked as a caregiver, mentor, and tutor for children of all ages.  Brooke brings a fun and heart-centered approach to allow students a safe place to explore and to rejuvenate.  She has a Bachelor’s degree in journalism, is a trained massage therapist, and is working on a Master's degree in Somatic Psychotherapy at the California Institute of Integral Studies, where she has been studying the practice and benefits of Child and Family Yoga.

Rebecca Blake found yoga in 1998. With roots in performing and teaching ballet, her love of teaching body movement persisted. In March 2005, she completed her yoga teacher training with Ganga White and Tracey Rich at White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara. In March of 2008, she completed It’s Yoga Kids certification training. She continues to be a life-long student of yoga, studying with a variety of experienced teachers and styles ranging from Zen Meditation and Pranayama to Kids’ Yoga, Restorative Yoga to AcroYoga, Kundalini to Vinyasa and Jivamukti to Basic Hatha. Rebecca infuses these styles while encouraging open minds and open hearts. She challenges students to go beyond the limits of tradition to follow their own path.
 

With a history of love for movement Jacqueline fell in love with yoga after one class in 2000.  A curious and compulsively inquisitive nature has led her to many trainings including a 200-hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Training from Laughing Lotus in 2009, and It's Yoga Kids training in 2010.  Her love for children has also been consistent.  At 10 years old she was helping a neighbor with her newborn and sixteen years later she still works as a caregiver.  Jacqueline couldn't be more excited to combine two of her passions, yoga and children!  Her classes create a safe space for children to explore, laugh, breathe, grow, and be mindful. 
 

Beginning life as a dancer, Sharon found yoga deepened her conscious movements into a spiritual awareness; and believes this connection may be experienced by anyone as joyful moving meditation. All ages, shapes, sizes and abilities deserve the benefits of yoga, and kids are especially intuitive to cultivating this natural energy and enlightenment.  As a writer who focuses on environmental issues, Sharon approaches yoga class with the same creativity; encouraging awareness of our connection to the Earth, and love for every living being on it. In her own yoga education, Sharon is inspired by fluid vinyasa classes, and will complete a vinyasa teacher training this year.

Heather found her passion for yoga ten years ago through the practice of Anusara Yoga.  It’s playful nature through story telling and heartfelt approach truly confirmed that yoga could be transforming.  After starting a family in 2004 she found bringing yoga into her home brought smiles to her children’s faces and a gift of sharing that will grow as her children grow.   She is certified to teach yoga to children from It’s Yoga Kids in San Francisco, as well as a Silicon Valley Stretch.Play.Yoga Instructor.

Carmelita received her BA in Family and Consumer Sciences and Early Childhood Development from Eastern NM University and came to fall in love with the practice of yoga in 1999.  Throughout her journeys her practice has evolved into a path of self-discovery and self-empowerment. Carmelita loves to teach, loves children and has varied experience working with elementary-age children as a Teacher, Caregiver, Family Resource Advocate and a Literacy Resource Mentor for Head Start Programs. In class, her playful nature creates a safe and encouraging environment in which to explore, challenge and discover. She encourages her students to listen to their own bodies and to respect whatever messages they receive. Carmelita is certified through It’s Yoga San Francisco and It’s Yoga Kids and is registered at the 200-level with the Yoga Alliance.

Alexandra Rossi is a certified yoga instructor, a preschool teacher and an illustrator.  After many years of studying art and working with children, Alex came to San Francisco from Paris and fell in love with Anusara Yoga. Having trained with “Yoga Tree”, “It’s Yoga, Kids” and “Niroga Institute” she is currently working towards her Anusara certification with her teachers John Friend, KK Ledford and Darcy Lyon.  Alexandra is focused on sharing yoga with children and teens . She believes it’s an amazing tool to promote self–awareness and self-love. She strives to foster self esteem by encouraging physical fitness, teaching positive life habits and providing tools to deal with stress.  Alexandra teaches yoga to kids in French or English.

Kelly Shannon is an educator at heart! She is a certified Integral Yoga Instructor for Hatha 1, Hatha 2 and with Karma Kids Yoga.  Kelly has a Masters in International Social Work and has a background working with nonprofits including with International NGO’s over the past eight years in eight countries. She is a graduate of the 2009 Nonviolent Communication Leadership Program (NVC LP), the 2010 NVC Mediation Program and presently is on the Leadership team for the 2011 NVC LP. Kelly holistically offers support to parents and their children in creating custom educational experiences while integrating yogic play-based activities and principles of Nonviolent Communication. 

Tammie Winter, RYT, OT

Tammie immediately found a passion for yoga in 2003. She has participated in several yoga courses including a prenatal and postnatal intensive with Jane Austin, Yoga for the Special Child™, and Integrated Movement Therapy. She completed her yoga teacher training at the Samarya Center in Seattle, WA. Tammie has a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and works as a pediatric therapist in the Bay Area.