Yoga Instruction for Children by Budding Buddhas

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. This series is as much about supporting companies as it is about celebrating the places and faces that make our community special.

Our spotlight today is on Susan Fried and Michelle Valentine of Budding Buddhas.

Business: Budding Buddhas
Owners: Susan Fried & Michelle Valentine
Website: www.budding-buddhas.org
Address: We teach in schools, libraries, community centers, studios throughout Westchester. New Rochelle, Tuckahoe, Scarsdale, Eastchester, Pelham, White Plains, Yonkers, Dobbs Ferry to name a few towns.
Contact_Info: Susan or Michelle, buddingbuddhas@gmail.com, 917 282-7110

How did you come up with the name?

Michelle began writing down words which she felt represented yoga and child development. She spent hours working on word plays. She would run ideas by me and many were very good but once she came up with “Budding Buddhas” we knew that was it.

Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?

Susan lives in New Rochelle and Michelle lives in Scarsdale. After getting certified to teach children’s yoga, Susan began teaching at the New Rochelle Library and Precious Minds Daycare as well as Jefferson Elementary School in New Rochelle. Michelle began introducing yoga into her classroom while working as a preschool teacher. Susan and Michelle met at an adult yoga teacher training and decided to join forces and started Budding Buddhas.

Briefly, what business are you in?

Children’s Yoga

What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

We teach at many preschools and elementary schools. Unfortunately some schools experience budget cuts which prevent the schools from including yoga as part of the specials offered. Not only is it hard as a business owner to lose an account over lack of funding, but it’s also frustrating to lose the opportunity to build upon the mind/body connection that was achieved in the previous year.

Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?

Not Really. We have had to work hard to educate people on the benefits of children’s yoga because people/schools are struggling a bit in this tough economy. With that said, children’s yoga is starting to become recognized as an important tool for a child’s healthy development.

What’s been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?

Working with a Head Start Program in White Plains and seeing the tremendous focus, confidence and joy it brought each and every child. Also, watching the teachers and psychologists/social workers joy at seeing the children grow emotionally and physically through our yoga program

What’s the most innovative idea your employees or customers have had that you put into practice?

Yoga & Journaling for elementary school age girls. We have found that girls between 3rd grade -5th grade have a lot on their minds and need to talk about it. Our program focuses on a current topic each week (ie. gossip or inner beauty) and we discuss it, practice yoga and journal about it. The journaling is as much about art as writing. The girls draw pictures, uses stickers, and appropriate words cut out of magazines for their journals.

How do you deal with difficult customers?

We often have parents and children who are stressed come to our yoga classes. The parents might be concerned about their childs focus/confidence etc. It is important to us that we create a place where they can voice their concerns & stresses. We believe we are in the business to help the children (and parents) enjoy the mind and body benefits of yoga. The children learn techniques to help relax and to build confidence and the parents know their children are learning. So, we deal with difficult or stressed out customers by listening and responding in a way that helps them feel comfortable and a bit more relaxed.

How does your business give back or get involved in the community?

We offer free classes or yoga party certificates to many charities. We also offer free classes at Athleta - Scarsdale. We have worked with Gilda’s Place to teach yoga to families and child.

The plan behind this series at Patch is to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

This is as much about supporting local businesses as it is about celebrating the places and faces that make our community special.

Click here to get to a simple form where local business owners can answer a few quick questions to be part of this ongoing feature.