I have spent most of my life working with children as a preschool teacher, athletic coach and care taker. With a BA in Anthropology, the study of people, I am delighted to be working in the field of my expertise. I am very fortunate to combine my passions of children and yoga, to provide a play-based, child-led, fun-filled yoga class. Currently, I teach 30 yoga classes per week to a variety of populations. My classes are with children ages 3 through 13 at various local schools, as well as teaching for Niroga Institute and Full of Joy Yoga. In addition, I teach adult yoga classes, both public and private, Vinyasa flow and prenatal classes around the Bay Area. I am happily living in Berkeley and enjoy being involved with the community.
Education:
I obtained my Children's Yoga Certification with Full of Joy Yoga in 2007. In 2008, I completed my 200-Hour Interdisciplinary Certification with Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica. Over the years, I have dabbled in many styles of yoga, including Bikram, Anusara, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Hatha, which has brought a holistic approach to my practice. I teach a Vinyasa Flow style in my adult classes and with children…it’s anything goes…Amber’s Yoga!
Philosophy:
My yogic belief is that experiencing yoga allows children to recognize many important aspects of life that can be instilled at an early age. Yoga offers a strong connection to the self, awareness of the body and positive self-confidence. It teaches a respect for the importance of health, for others, and for the world as a whole. Inquiry and exploration into the self and one's yoga is an incredibly fulfilling journey. In my classes I offer a glimpse into and a practice of mindfulness, meditation, breathing tools, energy sources and yogic philosophy and postures. I have tailored my yoga for children by incorporating traditional and creative yoga poses, stories, songs and fun! To me, yoga provides children with the techniques to find peace and quiet in this busy world, to increase their concentration skills, to maintain a healthy body and lifestyle, and to build self-love.
A few words from Amber:
As a children’s yoga teacher, my intention is to introduce yoga into young lives at an early age. My approach is to ignite their curious minds by inviting each child to find their own connection to yoga and to cultivate a relationship with yoga in their lives. I love to nurture the awakening of their generous hearts, following down their own yoga path as it evolves and changes. This is accomplished by creating a curriculum that is generated by children’s ideas and, with my guidance, it allows them to further explore their own yoga. Promoting a deepening of self and an understanding of individual growth throughout the process is essential to me. I have found that teaching children yoga serves the individual in gaining the tools to live happy, healthy and peaceful lives. The practice of yoga fosters individual growth, a process which encourages positive engagement in this ever changing world.
