Our Story
It all started five years ago…
Emma and Siobhan had spent almost a decade teaching yoga to hundreds of children a week in schools across London and were exhausted and ready for burn out. In each other, we found inspiration and support and became determined to share what we had created with other yogis.
Together we started running workshops in South London for qualified children’s yoga teachers. Teachers kept coming back -thirsty for more advice, support and networking - and the Children’s Yoga Tree Community was born!
Accreditation by Yoga Alliance Professionals and many workshops later, we founded our Training School to help build our dream of every child having access to life changing yoga and every teacher having access to high quality training.
Our first accredited Teacher Training course, held in a beautiful Streatham garden studio was a blissful beginning to the path we now share - guiding students onto new, exciting careers as children’s yoga teachers.
We left the city - Siobhan returned to her native South Africa and Emma now lives with her teens by the sea in Brighton but we continue to grow and support the community of teachers we feel so passionately about.
Inspired by nature and wild places and deeply concerned about children’s well-being, we found in each other the creativity and confidence to build a community working with teachers, schools and young people. We hope that you will join that community and also find inspiration, connection and joy!
OUR MISSION
Inspiring teachers and children
Children’s Yoga Tree is a Training School that brings together the children’s yoga community through accredited courses, workshops and online networks. We train students from all over the world in yoga and mindfulness through foundation and advanced programmes. Our teachers go on to work with schools and studios internationally, providing a high standard of yoga, mindfulness and therapeutic programmes for special needs.
We also work with schools internationally, providing online and bespoke in-person training courses. Our aim is to make yoga and mindfulness universally accessible to all children in primary, secondary and special schools, inspiring children to be calm, resilient and creative through the discipline and playfulness of yoga practice.
Our Values
Childhood is a journey, not a race
Child Focused: Children’s Yoga Tree training focuses on the development of the child - creating opportunities for children to develop their creativity, confidence and self-expression through mindful movement, breathing and meditation. Our training courses focus on developing resilience and well-being in children and are designed to meet the needs of schools and their communities.
Community-Based: Our network of teachers and schools in local communities are part of a strong, supportive Children’s Yoga Community. We are dedicated to sharing expertise to ensure a high standard of children’s yoga teaching in the UK.
Calm: Maintaining a calm, mindful approach to the highs and lows of day-to-day life is at the centre of all our training and teaching programmes.
What We've Achieved
Trained nearly 150 students in Children’s Yoga worldwide
Trained advanced students in Family Yoga, Mindfulness, Special Needs, Yoga Philosophy and Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra for Teens
Set up Teen Leaders Yoga Course for Secondary Schools
Created an interactive and international online network of children’s yoga teachers
Run therapeutic yoga programmes for special needs in primary schools
Children’s Tree Yoga Partner Schools
Alfriston Primary School, West Sussex
Balfour Primary School, Brighton
Campsbourne School, Hornsey
Fenstanton Primary School, Streatham
Kestrel House School for Autism
Kingswood Primary School, Gipsy Hill
New Stepping Stones Pre-School, Mortlake
Paxton Primary School, Crystal Palace
Rokesly School, Crouch End
Tetherdown School, Muswell Hill, London
St John the Baptist School, Brighton
Streatham Wells Primary School l Hill
Queens Park Primary, Brighton
What People say about Us
CHILDREN
"I THINK YOGA IS BRILLIANT I WISH I COULD DO IT SOME MORE!"
- Ruby, age 7
"Yoga makes my heart feel happy."
- Nicola, age 5
PARENTS
"JoJo loves his Tuesday class. He shows us what he does at home and his brother practises with him. The class has been brilliant for helping his co-ordination."
- Mum of JoJo, age 7, from Tetherdown School
“Nelli loved the Halloween Yoga Workshop. She loved being one of the cats in the story. She was doing all of the poses at home for days. Thank you for your creative, positive teaching!“
- Cynthia, Mum of Nelli aged 4 yrs
Fantastic Workshop! My girls loved it. The teacher has a talent for engaging children with really lovely yoga, singing and stories."
- Georgia, Mum of Anastacia, 5 and Antonia, 3
"It was lovely having quality time with Sophie at the Family workshop. " "I liked climbing on my mum!"
- Sophie aged 6 yrs and Mum Danielle
”Fantastic yoga classes of which my 8-year-old adores! The teacher has a wonderful way with the children and has made yoga a very enjoyable form of exercise for them. My daughter cannot wait for each Friday’s class.”
- Sarah Jane Collum, Mother at St Peter's Eaton Square C and E
TEACHERS
“My year 4 class have been going to yoga classes since September and they thoroughly enjoy going! They are keen to show their postures and yoga moves in our other PE lessons, and we displayed their abilities during a recent class assembly. They come back into class calmer and more relaxed.”
- Diane Kavanagh, Y4 Teacher, Kingswood Primary School
"The children love going to their yoga sessions. They are incredibly fun and they are accessible to all the children, including those with a range of needs. Yoga sessions offer us the ability to give targeted support for motor skills, self-esteem and confidence, and the ability for children to regulate their emotions and calm themselves down."
- Amy Salter - SENCO Gipsy Hill Federation
“Siobhan gave me an opportunity to learn so much about life as a yoga teacher. Every day was an inspiration and my love for spreading the ritual of yoga grew and grew.“
- Iona, Yoga Teacher
“Thank you for the lovely and super informative event that you both out together for us last Saturday! I enjoyed the format of a talk with elements of kids yoga class - brilliant "illustration in action" of the suggested methods and techniques. It helps to remember them by experiencing first hand.”
- Yelena, Children's Yoga Teacher
“Siobhan and Emma are great teachers, I found them to be really clear, open and warm in their approach. They created a safe and supportive space to explore some of the fundamental aspects around teaching children. I left feeling empowered and more creative. I have lots of new things to try with the children I teach! Thank you!”
- Angeline, Children's Yoga and Dance Teacher
“Thank you for sharing your experience and ideas so generously. I found your workshop very informative and look forward to integrating the ideas into my classes.”
- Sophie, Children's Yoga Teacher
“Thank you for an awesome workshop yesterday, your expertise and guidance in yoga has been second to none. Thank you for everything you do. Bringing knowledge, support and love to the kids yoga community!”
- Georgina, Children's Yoga Teacher
“Just finished the 40hr foundation children’s yoga teacher training. It was amazing Emma and Siobhan were so knowledgeable and friendly. I’d highly recommend the children’s yoga tree if you are looking to become a children’s yoga teacher. It truly was a wonderful experience and I’m fired up to get out there and teach now.”
- Joanne Faherty, Children’s Yoga Tree Graduate
“Excellent 40 hour Foundation children yoga course. Very well organised and presented. Interactive, practical, confidence building with an emphasis on mindfulness and marketing skills too. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it.”
- Corrine Richard, Children’s Yoga Tree Graduate
“I really enjoyed yoga course and I learned a lot. Teachers were extremely knowledgeable and were able to pass their knowledge. The atmosphere was super pleasant and warm. Finally, other participants were great, we really connected and we were supporting each other. Thank you.”
- Joanne Kosc, Children’s Yoga Tree Graduate