Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Monaghan.
Michele, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My story begins with my first passion – dance. A lifelong dancer, I decided to further my studies by majoring in dance in college. When I herniated a disc during a ballet course of my final semester, my life’s dream suddenly felt shattered. The summer after graduation was full of physical pain and mental turmoil. The feeling of hopelessness combined with a handful of unhealthy habits had developed into severe anxiety and insomnia. This is what ultimately led me to try my first yoga class. I loved it immediately. My teacher was so gentle and welcoming, and I could feel a healing sensation wash over me when I entered the yoga space. I knew this would be the key to overcoming my back injury.
Although I was still living with constant pain, I decided to put my degree to use and began working as a full-time dance instructor and communications manager at Studio Dance Centre in Frisco. On weekends, I was busy rehearsing and performing with a local dance company, Muscle Memory Dance Theatre. All of this dancing was incredibly hard with my injury, but I literally did not know what else to do with my life.
Meanwhile, yoga was rehabilitating my body and mind. My love for this ancient practice was growing so much that I began looking for classes to take during my lunch breaks. This is when I found Yoga on Main. I knew from my first class that I had found a special place. When the owner of Yoga on Main approached me about teaching yoga to kids, it was like a light bulb turned on. This is the little spark that ignited my burning desire to bring the benefits of yoga to young people.
I attended training and became an Inspired Instructor through Yogiños: Yoga for Youth. My boss at the dance studio saw my potential in this newfound love of children’s yoga, and I give her full credit as the one who encouraged me to turn it into a business. She even helped me come up with the perfect name – Zen Kids Yoga.
I launched Zen Kids Yoga in 2012 and have been teaching yoga to children all over the metroplex ever since. I’ve taught at schools, private studios, special events, birthday parties, and summer camps. In 2013, I completed my 200-Hour Yoga Instructor Certification through Purple Lotus Yoga. From 2016-2018, I served as Lead Trainer for Purple Lotus Yoga’s 100-Hour Children’s Yoga Teacher Training Program. I have taught children and adults of all ages, and I have loved every minute of it!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the beginning, one of my biggest struggles was figuring out how to balance all of my commitments in order to reach my goals. When I was pregnant with my first child, the opportunity became available for me to attend training to become a 200-hour certified yoga instructor. This was something I definitely wanted to complete before my baby arrived, so I began the program while four months pregnant. During this time, I was also maintaining my demanding job at the dance studio and running Zen Kids Yoga on the side. Altogether, I was teaching around 21 classes per week and was completing yoga teacher training, homework, and childbirth classes on the weekends. I am so thankful I had a healthy pregnancy because the physical exhaustion from all of these activities was intense, to say the least!
When my contract was up, I left my job of six years at the dance studio and ended up delivering my baby boy just two weeks after I presented my final teach-back for the teacher certification. This was five years ago, but I still remember it vividly because it was so, so challenging. What kept me going was the thought of having these things completed so that I could spend all the time in the world just holding and loving on my baby, without the worry of unfinished business taking my precious time and energy. And that’s exactly what I did – I snuggled my son and soaked up all of the priceless moments I’d been dreaming of over the course of the previous year. My transition into motherhood was quite blissful.
Fast forward to 2018… I am now “mommy” to two kids (my beautiful daughter was born 21 months later), two dogs, and five chickens. I’m married to an unbelievably supportive man who softens a lot of the so-called “bumps in the road.” Together, we recently decided that home education would be the best option for our family. Naturally, these responsibilities have brought on a whole new set of challenges, like knowing when to shift focus from the desire to grow my business to my most important (and favorite) job – my role as a mother. I will be taking a slower approach to some of the goals I have as a business owner and yoga teacher so that I can be more present with my family during our current season of life.
The most important advice I have is to do something you truly love. The following quote by Howard Thurman was read to me early in my career: “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” This spoke directly to my soul and inspired me to follow my passion without hesitation. I have experienced first-hand that when you invest in what makes you come alive, doors and opportunities will open for you in ways you probably never even considered.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Zen Kids Yoga – what should we know?
The mission of Zen Kids Yoga is to teach yoga to children in a fun, relaxed environment that’s also educational and inspiring. In our classes, we explore traditional principles of yoga through exciting themes, activities, art, storytelling, and music, Our classes create a kid-friendly approach to breathing exercises, postures, and meditation. All of our classes are taught in a combination of English, Spanish, and Sanskrit.
Instilling mindfulness in a young child is a priceless gift that they will be able to use throughout the course of their life. Zen Kids Yoga teaches children that a consistent yoga practice can be a vital component to living a mindful, purposeful life.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
One of my favorite things about this journey is that it has brought some of the most meaningful friendships and connections I have ever experienced. I am surrounded by beautiful souls and feel their energy at all times. I am honored to be a part of such a loving, compassionate community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.myzenkids.com
- Phone: 940-642-5012
- Email: zenkidsyoga@ymail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zenkidsyoga/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zenkidsyoga/
Image Credit:
Laura King, Mark Dalal, Austin Monaghan
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