Chatham County mom opens yoga, mindfulness studio for kids in Pittsboro

There's a new place for kids to relax and refocus in downtown Pittsboro. Kids Mindful Movement, a yoga and mindfulness studio designed for infants to teens, opened last month at 184 East St., Pittsboro.

The studio offers classes six days a week, including baby and me, preschool yoga and homeschool classes, along with teen yoga and summer camps. After working from community spaces, parks, churches and other gathering points to accommodate her growing clientele, owner Emily Behr, a Chatham County mom of two young girls and North Carolina native, says she's thrilled to have her own studio.

“A dedicated studio space and home for Kids Mindful Movement has been a dream of mine as I’ve grown my business from one or two classes to a full range of age groups and teachers,” she said. “Since moving to Chatham County two years ago, my family has thrived in the close-knit and caring community that is growing here. I hope that Kids Mindful Movement will prove to be an asset to our kids and community.”

I checked in with Behr, whose own career has included stints in the music industry and marketing and as manager of a Raleigh yoga and pilates studio, to learn more about the studio. Here's a Q&A.

Go Ask Mom: Why open Kids Mindful Movement? What led to your decision to launch the business?

Emily Behr: I have been teaching yoga for more than seven years to adults, and, after having my first daughter three years ago, I saw the need for mindfulness at all ages. When kids learn techniques to emotionally regulate and calm themselves at an early age, they are better able to deal with the pressures from school, their peers and even extracurricular activities. These days, kids are BUSY, and it is important for them to take time out to slow down, tune into their breath and move in a more mindful way.

So, I trained in Raleigh to become a children's yoga instructor and soon after started teaching kids in my neighborhood. As the word spread, more and more kids started coming to classes, looking for a different way to approach movement. I was teaching classes almost every day and realized there was a need for a studio that specialized in kids movement and yoga. Soon after, Kids Mindful Movement was born!

GAM: What kinds of classes and programs do you offer?

EB: We offer classes for all stages of life! Prenatal, Baby + Me, Toddler, Preschool, Kids, and Teen/Tween Yoga. We also offer workshops and LOTS of Summer Camps for ages 3 +. In addition, we do private events, birthday parties, and also travel to schools/preschools to teach yoga and mindful movement.

This fall, we plan to offer even more movement classes (creative movement/dance/etc.!)

GAM: How can kids benefit from mindfulness and yoga?

EB: Mindful movement gives kids a chance to slow down and focus on the present. When they learn techniques to help them do this, they have better emotional regulation, do better in school, have more meaningful relationships, and lead healthier lifestyles.

GAM: How is a yoga class for kids different from an adult yoga class?

EB: Kids classes (ages 10 and under) are approached in a fun, imaginative way. We often go on "safaris" or "under the sea" to explore animals and move our bodies in unique ways. Even yoga breath work is approached in a playful way through visualization; think blowing out a candle or smelling a flower.

For ages 10 and up, we often offer a more mature approach to mindfulness through relaxation and restorative yoga. We have found that this age group, in particular, is very interested in taking a break and slowing down as they are often extremely busy and under enormous pressure to perform.

GAM: What are your hopes for the studio?

EB: My hope is that we will continue to grow as a movement studio for kids of all ages. I would love to continue to expand my talented staff and offer creative, non-competitive movement options for children and families in the Chatham County and surrounding areas.

For more about Kids Mindful Movement, check its Facebook and Instagram pages.

Go Ask Mom features local moms every Monday.