Yoga for Kids and Everyone
A group of young children in a group on yoga mats doing star pose.
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Miriam Leo-Gindin, executive director of The Yoga Buggy, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are The Yoga Buggy, a Vancouver-based non-profit that brings yoga and mindfulness healing power to kiddos and families. We seek to democratize yoga by bringing high-quality, affordable classes to a wider range of children than usually have access to it. We focus on inclusion, diversity, and increasing accessibility and opportunities for those who struggle with learning disabilities, social-emotional issues and/or financial hardship.
Tell us about yourself
I have always had a big heart for kids and social justice. It was epically helpful for my physical and mental health when I discovered yoga. And I noticed it was only available to people who could afford it! It didn't make sense to me.
When I taught a yoga class to a group of underprivileged children in Winnipeg, they responded beautifully to the yoga practices and the connection with a positive, loving adult. That clinched the deal for me! It was obvious what I needed to do. I spent a few more years classroom teaching to kids with learning disabilities. In 2017 I decided to start The Yoga Buggy! I haven't looked back.
I often think about those kids back in Winnipeg. I like to think about how making a positive impact on one person can spread. That person might make a good impact on the next person and so on. When the work is feeling dry (e.g., grant application weeks!), it's easy to bring back its heart by thinking of the potential impact of positive interaction with a child.
Another thing that fascinates and motivates me: I only need to glance around to see how much of my world is built on humans wanting to make things better. Roads, buildings, gardens: everywhere you look is human innovation. That inspires me deeply as an entrepreneur. If we don't like how things are, we can make them better. Or, as wise marketing expert Seth Godin says, "Make things better by making better things."
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We are really proud of what we do. We create meaningful, well-paid work for 15+ talented and passionate kids' yoga teachers. We have partnered with 70+ local organizations so we can bring yoga to kids who need it most. Since opening, we have brought 12,500+ hours of engaging kids yoga classes to children of all diversities. We have been nimble and flexible enough to continue offering our services throughout the pandemic!
It should be noted: There is hard work involved in all of this, and there is also luck and privilege. Our team talks a lot about our privilege...our operations team are educated, Canadian, and has the luxury to follow our entrepreneurial dreams. We try to be both proud and aware.
A young child in relaxation pose on a pink yoga mat.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
In our case, the hardest challenge is always to secure enough funding to do more of what we do. We are largely grant-funded, and it's not always easy when you are dreaming as big as we do!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Be flexible! Have a plan but be prepared to throw it out. We have all learned that the hard way throughout the pandemic.
Treat everybody you meet like gold! Every single connection can help you on your path.
Be real with your team. If you need time or space or you can't do something, tell them. Set the example of authenticity and imperfection, so they feel safe to be vulnerable too. They are your greatest asset.
