Meet Gwen Younkin, our newest PK teacher! Starting this month, we will be featuring a different Teacher Feature every month in our blog. Maybe next time it will be you!
Pretzel Kids owner Robyn Parets recently had the opportunity to get to know Gwen and what drew her to the Pretzel Kids yoga program. We're sure you'll enjoy learning about her too. As part of the Pretzel Kids yoga certification course, Gwen wrote an awesome St. Patrick's Day lesson plan. In celebration of St. Paddy's Day, email us if you'd like to receive a free copy of that lesson, complete with games, activities and fun themed St. Patrick's Day poses for all ages!
Pretzel Kids: Tell us a little about you.
Gwen: I used to work as a Speech Language Pathologist but I'm now a stay-at-home mom! I volunteer and substitute at the local elementary school. I have two daughters, Josephine, 9, and Evie, 7. I have maintained the continuing education requirements for my Speech and Language therapy license and love learning about children! I've been practicing yoga for over 15 years. My daughters love doing yoga too and even asked Santa for their own yoga mats this year!
Pretzel Kids: Tell us one fun fact about you.
Gwen: I love turquoise jewelry. My Grandmother (named Josephine), always wore turquoise jewelry and it makes me think of her. Her turquoise heart pendant and watch were passed down to my mom.
Pretzel Kids: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Gwen: I love doing yoga! I also like catching up on my favorite mystery shows on Netflix and Hulu. My favorites are Murdoch Mysteries and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries.
Pretzel Kids: What drew you to Pretzel Kids?
Gwen: I was drawn to Pretzel Yoga because it combines my two loves: children and yoga!
Pretzel Kids: What did you like best about the PK certification course?
Gwen: My favorite aspects of the course are the amazing online videos and “go at your own” pace format! Having a background in speech and language development, I also love how PK teaches language! Traditional yoga poses are renamed within a theme, providing a framework for children to expand their vocabulary while they move and play. Children are able to practice social skills while they do octopus pose, for example, or interact together during the game component of the class. During the centering component, children answer questions, take turns, and work on expressive language - all while having fun! Imitation skills, following directions, and auditory comprehension are involved throughout the whole lesson.
Pretzel Kids: How did our online course prepare you to teach children's yoga?
Gwen: The online course prepared me as was able to follow the successful curriculum and learn how to adapt different sections for different age groups. I especially appreciate the handouts and videos on helpful activities for children with special needs.
Pretzel Kids: Would you recommend the course?
Gwen: Most definitely! As a teacher or therapist, it is a great way to introduce yoga and learn how to teach themed units! As a mom, I’ve incorporated yoga at the end of our day and my girls love it.
Pretzel Kids: What's your favorite Pretzel Kids pose and game?Gwen: One of my favorite PK poses happens to be a group pose: Ladder pose with teamwork breathing. My favorite PK game is Pose Factory where you can add adjectives or feelings to a pose to change it.
Thank You Gwen and Congratulations! Do you want to be featured in an upcoming PK newsletter? Let Robyn know at robyn@pretzelkids.com
Pretzel Kids owner Robyn Parets recently had the opportunity to get to know Gwen and what drew her to the Pretzel Kids yoga program. We're sure you'll enjoy learning about her too. As part of the Pretzel Kids yoga certification course, Gwen wrote an awesome St. Patrick's Day lesson plan. In celebration of St. Paddy's Day, email us if you'd like to receive a free copy of that lesson, complete with games, activities and fun themed St. Patrick's Day poses for all ages!
Pretzel Kids: Tell us a little about you.
Gwen: I used to work as a Speech Language Pathologist but I'm now a stay-at-home mom! I volunteer and substitute at the local elementary school. I have two daughters, Josephine, 9, and Evie, 7. I have maintained the continuing education requirements for my Speech and Language therapy license and love learning about children! I've been practicing yoga for over 15 years. My daughters love doing yoga too and even asked Santa for their own yoga mats this year!
Pretzel Kids: Tell us one fun fact about you.
Gwen: I love turquoise jewelry. My Grandmother (named Josephine), always wore turquoise jewelry and it makes me think of her. Her turquoise heart pendant and watch were passed down to my mom.
Pretzel Kids: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Gwen: I love doing yoga! I also like catching up on my favorite mystery shows on Netflix and Hulu. My favorites are Murdoch Mysteries and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries.
Pretzel Kids: What drew you to Pretzel Kids?
Gwen: I was drawn to Pretzel Yoga because it combines my two loves: children and yoga!
Pretzel Kids: What did you like best about the PK certification course?
Gwen: My favorite aspects of the course are the amazing online videos and “go at your own” pace format! Having a background in speech and language development, I also love how PK teaches language! Traditional yoga poses are renamed within a theme, providing a framework for children to expand their vocabulary while they move and play. Children are able to practice social skills while they do octopus pose, for example, or interact together during the game component of the class. During the centering component, children answer questions, take turns, and work on expressive language - all while having fun! Imitation skills, following directions, and auditory comprehension are involved throughout the whole lesson.
Pretzel Kids: How did our online course prepare you to teach children's yoga?
Gwen: The online course prepared me as was able to follow the successful curriculum and learn how to adapt different sections for different age groups. I especially appreciate the handouts and videos on helpful activities for children with special needs.
Pretzel Kids: Would you recommend the course?
Gwen: Most definitely! As a teacher or therapist, it is a great way to introduce yoga and learn how to teach themed units! As a mom, I’ve incorporated yoga at the end of our day and my girls love it.
Pretzel Kids: What's your favorite Pretzel Kids pose and game?Gwen: One of my favorite PK poses happens to be a group pose: Ladder pose with teamwork breathing. My favorite PK game is Pose Factory where you can add adjectives or feelings to a pose to change it.
Thank You Gwen and Congratulations! Do you want to be featured in an upcoming PK newsletter? Let Robyn know at robyn@pretzelkids.com
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