Emma Brown is on a mission to improve mental and emotional wellbeing within schools through Children Inspired by Yoga’s unique, multi-sensory yoga programme.
Emma attended her first yoga class over 20 years ago as a way of improving her own physical and mental wellbeing during a period of ill health, and it soon became an important part of her life.
She became interested in the idea of yoga for children after taking part in some online sessions with her daughters during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and being amazed at how it improved their mental wellbeing during such a turbulent time. “The impact was incredible; they were calmer, happier and more focused after taking part”.
Emma became keen to train as a children’s yoga teacher and some online research led her to Children Inspired by Yoga. Founded by Sam Petter in 2004, Children Inspired by Yoga is one of the longest running children’s wellbeing companies in the UK. They offer multi-sensory, yoga inspired classes for babies and children that have been expertly created by yoga teachers, educationalists and paediatric physiotherapists and are fully aligned to the UK National Curriculum.
Emma completed her training, becoming fully accredited through the company and began teaching for the Rochester franchise in 2022. Children Inspired by Yoga Rochester has been positively impacting the local community since 2019, running classes in nurseries, pre-schools, and primary schools within the area.
Emma took over as franchise owner in February 2024 and is continuing to work hard to promote the business and bring yoga to more local children.
Following recent reports in the sharp rise of mental health issues being experienced by children and young people, with high waiting lists for access to mental health services, Emma is keen to bring yoga into more educational settings. “Support needs to be brought to places where all children will have access to it” she explains. “I hope to be able to promote yoga as a tool for supporting mental wellbeing within children and young people and I hope that our classes will continue to expand the reach within the Rochester area”.
Yoga supports mental and emotional wellbeing in children by allowing them to redirect energy positively, helping them calm their bodies and minds and giving them the opportunity for stillness and relaxation which can encourage self-regulation and build resilience.
“Our sessions include yoga movement, music, breathwork, mindfulness and relaxation” Emma explains. “They are designed to enhance feelings of self-worth, build confidence, decrease levels of stress and anxiety as well as enhance concentration and memory, leaving children calm and ready to learn”.
Classes are suitable for all abilities and are available to educational settings within the Rochester, Medway, and Malling areas.
“I am looking forward to inspiring more children through yoga and giving them tools that will support them in learning and life”.
Email rochester@tattybumpkin.com or call 07494 490461 for further information.
