Kid-Tested, Parent-Approved
An interview with one member of Yoga Heights' child-care team
Yes, you'd love to go to a yoga class. So what to do about your toddler or newborn? You can't just put them in the fridge to stay fresh like a head of lettuce while you seek out some important self-care. That's why Yoga Heights offers in-studio child-care throughout the week. Its part of how we honor our mission to make yoga is accessible to everyone--every body, every level, and every budget.
You're thinking this is great but who exactly is going to be looking after the most precious thing in my life while I go recharge. Reasonable question. And without further ado, we introduce you to Hali, one member of our child-care team.
Q: Do you have kids? What is your background as child care provider?
A: I do not have any human children, no. But I do have a cat named Echo who thinks she is a human child! She turns 6 years old on the 4th of July and I absolutely can not believe how fast my baby is growing up!
As far as human children go, I am an Auntie to a whole handful of cuties ranging in age from 2 to 13. Some of my nieces and nephews are direct family and some are family by choice, but I love all of them all so much! There is a set of triplets in there too whose diapers I have changed one after another...if that's not baby cred, I don't know what is! I also am a puppeteer and basically a big goofy kid with a drivers license and a big kid job. Soooo kiddos get me.
Q: What is your favorite children's book?
A: Where the Wild Things Are. Hands down. I dressed up as Max for Halloween a few years ago!
Q: When you're not on the yoga mat, what are you favorite activities?
A: I love to make things (art/theater/puppets/vegan cookies etc)!!! I also love to drink coffee. <3
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Q: Where do you live?
A: Parkview!
Q: How did you end up in the DC area?
A: I have worked in and managed movie theaters for 11 years in several different states. I applied for a position at one of the Smithsonian IMAX theaters here in DC a little over a year ago, got the job and moved here from Atlanta, Ga! Also, my partner Seth was already living here. Win, win! :)
Q: What brought you to Yoga Heights?
A: There were a lot of yoga-like elements in my theater training in college. So after I graduated in 2013, I started dappling in some classes in my home town and found that it was so helpful in calming my anxiety. Not to mention, helping to keep me grounded in the whole post-graduation-existential-crises that was my life. As I city hopped during the next few years with my movie theater job, I always found a home in my yoga studio. Moving to DC I knew I needed another solid yoga home. Yoga Heights is around the corner from where I live now... and lucky for me, it is exactly what I was looking for! I love that it's a studio that offers a lot of options, openly values diversity and inclusion and functions more as a community than a club.
Q: Why did you sign up to be a child-care provider at Yoga Heights?
A: I am participating Yoga Heights' work study program, which means I exchanged child care for yoga. Getting to come play with kiddos at the studio twice a week is a pretty sweet trade!
Q: What do you love most about being with kids?
A: Kids are SO funny. They are also super creative and willing to play and try silly things without getting embarrassed. Kids naturally give us adults permission to be silly too and I just love that.
Q: Gogurt or apple sauce?
A: Apple sauce, because Vegan. :)
Take a look at our schedule to find a time when child-care is offered concurrently with one of our classes. And download our app to make sign-up super easy. See you on the mat!