In two to ten minutes a day, no matter where you are - from cradle to grave, Yoga is always there for you. It’s a practice for life.
I found Yoga when I was 25 years old. I wish I had found it earlier. After 25 years of practicing and teaching, the mind and body benefits of Yoga have become parallel. Strength, flexibility and balance (satisfaction, yet continually striving) are what bring me back to Yoga. Yes, it stretches my body, but perhaps even more, it stretches my brain, experiencing the contrast between movement and stillness that comes with the practice.
It makes me feel strong and curious, exploring my edges, feeling them, and stopping to breathe through them. Sometimes losing it, falling, even crying, and the frustration of it! Challenging myself to focus and commit, adapt and persevere. Discovering the combination of effort and ease. Feeling proud and productive. Trusting myself. Forgiving myself. Accepting and releasing whatever I may be holding on to too tightly. Loving myself for where I am and often envisioning where I want to go. Finding freedom and flow energetically.
It’s not an exercise for me; it’s a metaphor for life. It informs my awareness, my attitude, my approach, and my actions. I love its depth, lack of perfection and unending-ness. Simply put, it makes me feel good, even when it’s difficult. I crave that connection for my body, mind, and soul to live life more fully.
I teach Yoga because I want everyone to feel that connection - especially parents and kids. Serving yourself through yoga enables you to contribute to your own performance, health, and happiness. That radiates to your sphere of influence with family, friends, classmates, and co-workers. That positive impact can make the world a better place. I wish for that!
And the beauty is, it starts with you, and it ends with you. You have that power. Everyday. Every moment. It’s a huge responsibility and a fantastic opportunity! I love it.
It’s Yoga Kids® is known for high-quality teaching of Yoga - movement, meditation and mindfulness - to families and kids at every age since 2005. We are inspired by the enduring magic of birth, and by the sparkling development of children, even toddlers and teenagers! We teach mindset and movement practices exclusively to teens, kids, and families. Our IYK® Signature System is:
- Holistic. We teach the whole child physically, emotionally and cognitively so the inner self aligns with the outer self
- Proven. A research based education system vs. an entertainment activity
- True to Yoga. We teach postures and principles of yoga on and off the mat
- Flexible. We work with multiple learning styles and in variable environments
- Fun! We teach an engaging and challenging practice for life
When you experience our program, we want you to be able to tell that what you're feeling comes from us. We consider every detail, and ask questions like these: does the instruction support and enhance the content? How does it feel in your body, mind and heart? What special touches can we add to make it an experience you'll treasure? We apply this approach to everything we do, whether it’s a class, camp, party, product, training or opening a new location.
After a life of dance, and earning a business degree, I was introduced to Yoga at YogaWorks® with Seane Corn. That class, in the early 90s, changed me inside and out and I’ve practiced yoga ever since. I loved my corporate work in sales and marketing until the birth of my daughter in 2002. I was disillusioned that significant achievements in my career became instantly irrelevant. I began to wonder what I could do to be with my daughter and make a positive impact for other children and families.
Inspired by my young toddler who began to model my at-home yoga practice in her own perfect way, I began three years of research and development about yoga and kids. I completed Yoga Alliance 200-hour Certification with Larry Schultz at It’s Yoga International, Prenatal & Postnatal Certification, Infant Massage Certification, Meditation Certification, and I collaborated with every type of pediatric professional to develop our education system.
In 2005, we started teaching our original method in public schools in San Francisco. Kids in all grades helped us prove and improve our content and the program evolved. In 2006, we opened It’s Yoga Kids® studio in the Presidio of San Francisco - the first of its kind on the west coast where operated for almost two decades until Covid. Leading classes, camp, and training worldwide, we have personally experienced the benefits of yoga for all ages and abilities. We look forward to sharing yoga with you!
Learn more about why I do yoga...here.
Michelle Corley Wing is a world-leading thought-leader and subject matter expert for children's health. Since 2005, her fun and scientific It’s Yoga Kids® system teaches physical fitness and mental health so we all feel healthier and happier.
Her work has been featured in Yoga Journal, Today.com and Parenting Magazine. She is a board member of the International Child Research Institute (ICRI) and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT, RPYT, RCYT) with Yoga Alliance.
Michelle is a former competitive Disney dancer turned yogini and ex-Microsoftie flipped to mompreneur. Her globally recognized IYK® Warrior Training develops thousands of leaders impacting millions of children.