Meet Sara! Our Kids Yoga Teacher
How did you get into yoga?
Yoga was first introduced to me by my mom when I was in high school. She suggested it as a way to help strengthen the muscles in my back to support my spine and combat my Scoliosis side effects. I was instantly hooked - I loved the calm vibe of the studio in my hometown and always looked forward to going to class after school. I was fascinated by the way that moving and stretching in certain ways could create space in our bodies that wasn’t originally there. I discovered Three Queens when I moved to Philadelphia after college and it was here that I started to learn that yoga can help us to cultivate more than just physical space.
What is your favorite yoga pose?
Hmmm…it changes. Right now I’m loving revolved half moon with a bow. Looks tricky, requires a good bit of focus to get into, but with the proper alignment and right engagement you can find the most lovely stretch.
What’s been one of the most gratifying moments of your yoga journey?
When I began my teacher training I didn’t know what I wanted to do with it - I just knew that I wanted to learn more about the practice and hoped I could eventually combine my love for yoga with my passion for working with children. I’ve had various opportunities to teach yoga in the city; I’ve taught recovering addicts, led classes for fit moms in South Philly, instructed coworkers and friends…but it never totally felt like *me*. No matter who I was teaching, I always felt called back to working with children. I started teaching Kids Yoga during the pandemic via Roots2Rise then started my own little Zoom yoga club and it just felt so right. It’s really cool when you find your purpose and begin to step into it. It’s a feeling I hope everyone gets to experience.
Tell us why you love kids yoga.
I love Kids Yoga because it’s just so FUN! Kids are so open and receptive to new things. They are masters of living in the moment. They don’t realize it but they are reminding me each time I teach to simply be where we are and to enjoy it. They are natural reflectors and I love seeing them come back to class week after week to tell me how they used a breathing exercise to stay calm during a test or how they practiced energizing yoga poses to help them wake up before school.
What can students expect from your classes?
My students can expect to move, stretch, laugh, and learn about their bodies. Through games and mindfulness activities, we will cultivate physical and mental strength along with body awareness that will provide them with a sense of confidence that they may not have previously had. Students will also learn a variety of breathing exercises that they can take with them to help them stay calm during stressful situations. They will learn lifelong coping strategies to help them navigate life with more ease.
Connect with me on insta:
@saradisimoni
Outside of the yoga studio…
You can find me at my day job teaching special education in Point Breeze, enjoying a latte at Shot Tower with a friend, or escaping the hustle and bustle of the city and taking my dog for a hike along the Wissahickon.
