Yoga It Up (www.yogaitup.ca) was developed by myself, Julia Johnson Baker, on the foundation of a lifelong passion for creative expression, healthy living, something a little magical, and to make a difference in chil...
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History
Yoga It Up (www.yogaitup.ca) was developed by myself, Julia Johnson Baker, on the foundation of a lifelong passion for creative expression, healthy living, something a little magical, and to make a difference in children's lives. I am a Certified Children's Yoga Teacher and hold a Masters in Development Studies alongside being a mom of two kids, an active member of the Girl Guides of Canada, and a supportive member of my local community. I am a person who has been dedicated to preventative health education with children and families for over 20 years, managing both local and international projects with a variety of organizations within Canada and abroad. I have worked extensively with different communities and school districts, as well as privately with children and families.
I believe yoga goes beyond the traditional thoughts of poses and meditation. I came to yoga as a teen in need of support for anxiety and depression and as such strongly value what yoga can offer to children and youth. It is a tool that can foster positive attitudes, healthy body awareness, respect for self and others, strength in relationships, and the focus to succeed in any goal.
What We Do
Y oga It Up! provides unique programming to children, their families and their schools that utilizes tools from the fields of social-emotional learning, mindfulness, positive psychology and asset-based development alongside yoga in order to develop emotional, mental and physical health.
Through practice, the aim is to be able to provide children and youth with the ability to utilize skills they learn on their yoga mat within their every day life. Programs are geared towards assisting children in the areas of:
o Anxiety and Stress
o Self-Worth
o Healthy Habits
o Depression
o Self-Regulation
o Anti-Bullying Strategies
o Grief
o Goal Setting and Focus
o Body Image
o Kindness
Why We Need You
For Schools: The heart of Yoga It Up resides in its school program. This is a B.C. curriculum-based program that focuses on providing an affordable option for schools that supports the development of compassion for the self, as well as others, in order to support and increase: Social & Emotional Learning, Self-Regulation of Emotions, Mindfulness-Based Practices, Physical Education, Anti-Bullying Strategies and Feelings of Self-Worth. The school program aims to develop Personal and Social Core Competencies in students.
The problem? Our programming is supported by the school, or families of the school, and in many instances the schools most in need of our programming are located in less fortunate communities. To date, Yoga It Up has provided many reduced and no-cost opportunities in school districts throughout the Lower Mainland, however, this is simply not a sustainable model for us and we need your help in order to continue our efforts!
For Families: Further to the school program we offer our “Peaceful Warriors” community yoga classes for ages preschool to teen through both group and private session options. These are currently offered in Vancouver, Delta, Surrey and Richmond. The majority of our families have come to us with children who are challenged with anxiety and/or other mental and emotional health needs.
The problem? These families are often accessing other modalities, such as psychotherapy, occupational therapy, behavioral intervention, (etc.) to assist their child’s needs, and as such, are often stretched financially. For some families our classes are the only programming they can get their child to attend willingly! The problem is that yoga as a form of therapy is yet to be recognized by most third party funders and as such our families are left with difficult decisions and financial strain. Again, Yoga It Up has provided many reduced and no-cost opportunities for students in financial need, however, this is simply not a sustainable model for us and we need your help in order to continue our efforts!
Where Will Your Money Go
As an example of our programming costs…
School Program:
1) 5-week Program Model for a medium-sized school (approximately 10 classes of 25 students each; 5 sessions per class): $2500
Approx. cost per student: $10 total for 5 classes (that’s $2 per class!)
2) 10-week Program Model for a medium-sized school (approximately 10 classes of 25 students each; 10 sessions per class): $5000
Approx. cost per student: $20 total for 5 classes (that’s $2 per class!)
3) Weekly Programming Option for a medium-sized school (approximately 10 classes of 25 students each; 1 class each per week 36 weeks): Approx. $16,000 (that’s $64 per student for the entire school year!)
Peaceful Warriors Community-Based Programming:
1) Group classes for one term (approx. 10 weeks in length): $250
2) Group classes for the year (approx. 45 weeks worth): $1125
3) Private classes for a child with special needs (monthly): $200 - $400 (depending on length of session)
4) Private classes for a child with special needs (yearly): $2200 - $4400 (depending on length of session)
Practice is Progress and as such we advocate for consistent programming! The more time you have to practice a new healthy habit, the more it becomes a natural reflex to root and breathe your way through challenging emotions or situations vs want to run away or fight. Help us create Peaceful Warriors in children & youth!!
Do you have a particular school or student you would like to fund? Let us know and we will make it happen!
For more information on who we are and what we offer please visit our website: www.yogaitup.ca
In kindness,
The Yoga It Up Team
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