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A Note from Joanie

Joanie Wagner Breathe and Learn

I started Breathe & Learn to support students social-emotional journeys at school and home.  As an elementary school teacher, I observed so many children carrying burdens and stress throughout the day which impacted their ability to learn and fully engage in academic work.  While I did my best to incorporate mindfulness practices during the day to help ease some of these feelings, I yearned to have the time and space to offer more.

After deepening my own yoga practice through a 200 hour teacher training, I was inspired to create a workshop for kids that offered a full yoga experience paired with thoughtful discussions and self-reflection.  Children love moving their bodies into silly poses and are intrigued by breathing exercises and visualizations that help them relax and feel a sense of calmness.

Yoga has brought so much joy to my life.  It is much more than the fancy handstands (although I do love practicing them).  It is my therapy, an outlet - physically and emotionally, a community, a safe space, a challenge and a commitment to my health and wellness.  I am my best self when I am practicing and teaching.  I wake up excited to practice yoga every day and love that I get to share it with kids.

 

My hope is that students walk away from Breathe & Learn experiences with a positive outlook on life, a deeper understanding of themselves, and tools to continue nourishing their minds and bodies in healthy ways.

Our Home

Since 2016, our home has been South Bay beaches and local yoga studios in southern California. Amidst the sunlit waves and sandy shores, our kids' yoga classes invite little ones to explore movement and mindfulness. From beach sessions to studio gatherings, join us in the heart of this coastal haven for playful yoga adventures.

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Meet Our Teachers

Discover the heart and passion behind Breathe and Learn's dedicated team of educators.

Heather Tuttle Breathe and Learn

Ms. Heather Tuttle

Lead Teacher

Heather, a dedicated teacher with a decade in special education, seamlessly blends her love for kids and yoga. Holding a Masters in Special Education and a 100-hour kids yoga certification, she's skilled in MindUp! curriculum and runs programs like GirlPower. Heather, an advocate of the arts, infuses dance, theater, and music into classes, guiding students to discover their inner rhythm.

Stacey Corvalen Breathe and Learn

Ms. Stacey Corvalan

Lead Teacher

Stacey found her love for kids' yoga four years ago with YogaBuddies in Hermosa Beach. Teaching two-to-six-year-olds across Manhattan Beach and LA's South Bay, she brings joy, exploration, and the importance of body-mind-breath connection. As part of the Breathe & Learn team, Stacey hopes to be remembered as the "crazy lady" teaching the quiet strength of lions and the cooling power of volcanos.

Cindy Swenson Breathe and Learn

Ms. Cindy Swenson

Lead Teacher

Cindy, a lifelong educator, transitioned from coaching gymnastics to teaching science and health. After discovering yoga post-injury in 2011, she became a 200-hour certified yoga teacher. Now, she shares the practice with elementary students, finding joy in guiding them to breathe, be creative, play, and follow their hearts.

Rachel Rush Breathe and Learn

Ms. Rachel Rush

Lead Teacher

Rachel, our elementary mindfulness and yoga teacher, brings Hermosa Beach experience from schools like Hermosa View and Lunada Bay Elementary. As Mindful Circle's owner, she shares mindfulness benefits. Trained in MindUp and a Certified Mindfulness Teacher with a 200-Hour Yoga Certification from Bali, Rachel inspires students to embrace the present joyfully.

Katherine Campbell Breathe and Learn

Ms. Catherine Campbell

Lead Teacher

Catherine, a Redondo Beach native, discovered yoga at 17 and has practiced ever since. With a 200-hr teacher training from Harmony Yoga and a Zooga Kids Yoga certification, she is a local elementary school teacher with a Masters in Elementary Education. Passionate about mindfulness, Catherine integrates yoga to instill a gentle, accepting attitude in the present moment.

Briana Ahl Breathe and Learn

Ms. Briana Ahl

Lead Teacher

Briana, a skilled yoga teacher with a decade of experience, holds a 200-hr RYT certificate from Studio Surya in Venice, CA. She specializes in various yoga styles, including Gentle, Yin, Chair, and Kid’s yoga. Known for her accessible teaching style, Briana is dedicated to sharing yoga's transformative power and collaborates with The P.S. I Love You Foundation to bring yoga to underserved areas.

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