Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Vaughn.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I found yoga at a very difficult time in my life, or maybe it found me. Practicing day after day, connecting with my breath, aligned me with my true self. My heart became uncovered, and somehow, I managed to climb my way out of a messy divorce with grace, holding my head high, with my 3 babies by my side. It was one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done, and I sincerely believe it was my connection to my heart and my faith that got me through it. Not only did yoga make my body stronger, it also aided me in knowing who I am.
One day, while playing taxi and driving to activities, my two youngest daughters were bickering. I looked in my rear-view mirror and saw my oldest daughter, who was six at the time, sitting quietly with her eyes closed, her hands resting on top of folded knees. When I asked her what she was doing, she said she was meditating. She was finding her peace within the chaos. Little had I known just how closely my daughters were watching me.
That was the moment I realized kids can benefit from yoga, too. I searched for a kids’ yoga teacher training certification and within a few months, I flew to Miami to complete the yoga training.
My original intention behind the yoga teacher training wasn’t to teach the public. I just wanted to know more about this thing that made me feel so connected and alive, and I wanted to share my discovery with my girls. Then their friends became curious and wanted to “play yoga” with us, so I started a class out of our home. We had regular weekly classes, themed yoga nights, story time yoga, and summer & holiday camps. It was a fun way to teach my girls yoga, and I loved that their friends were interested in it, too.
I dismissed the idea of taking it any further. It was enough, and I was growing my life-coaching business, and didn’t see how I could manage both. Then, the love of my life appeared. We got married and welcomed a baby boy a year later. Life was full and perfect.
However, the thought of opening a kids’ yoga studio still lingered. I knew that I needed to open one and welcome more kids. It was a purpose bigger than myself, and I couldn’t ignore it any longer. It was something I knew I had to do. The benefits of yoga for children needed to be shared, and I knew I was the one to share it.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Starting a yoga studio for kids has been very similar to having another baby. I had no idea how much work it would take for day-to-day survival. Some days may consist of doing the things I’d rather not be doing: accounting, database management, marketing contracts, payroll, paying bills. It’s kind of like those days with a baby when you clean up more dirty diapers than thought humanly possible, wipe up throw-up, do the dishes and laundry multiple times, only to find there is somehow still more to do, and your own hair still hasn’t been brushed. My needs seem to come second, at times. Some days, a shower feels like a luxury. Growth can be messy and painful, and there are days when I wonder why on earth did I leave the comfort of my life to do something so challenging. I could have stayed on cruise control and not put my neck out there. Staying home, playing with my kids, writing, reading, exercising, doing whatever I want. Yes, there have been days that were really difficult. But then…
One day while working the front desk at the studio a mom told me, “I am so glad you are here. This is the only thing my daughter feels successful at…” Her words blasted right into my heart. My eyes pricked with tears. The world stopped for a minute as I was reminded of my original intention to be here, doing what I’m doing. I wonder if she knows the power her words had over me as she signed her daughter into class. It’s like all the thank-yous had been saved up for that one larger-than-life moment. My baby is growing, regardless of how less-than-glamorous it may seem at times or how many bad hair days I may have. And those moments when the lobby is full and our classes are full and parents are talking with smiles on their faces – those moments seem to stop time.
My husband supports me and helps me tremendously. My daughters tell me how happy they are to see me do this, and they are eager to go to a class and help with things at the yoga studio. And my friends were there front and center bringing their kids. Their support in this has been such a key component to our success.
While there may be pain in trying, out of pain comes growth, which brings a feeling of satisfaction. I believe that’s what we are here to do – grow. And if growth brings me to satisfaction while resistance to it brings me regret, I think I’ll choose growth, pain and all. Every. Single. Time. Win or lose, it’s always worth a try. (Besides, it’s not the outcome that really matters, anyway, it’s the life I live along the way.)
FlyKids Yoga – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
FlyKids Yoga opened with a bang on January 11, 2017. We had a packed open house and filled classes within months.
We are the only yoga studio for kids in the area. We have classes for 0-3 years, 4-6 years, 7-9 years, 10-13 years, as well as teen classes. We also offer meditation classes, yoga for athletes, yoga for children with special needs, birthday parties, and summer camps. This fall, we are starting a yogis-day-out program for 3&4 year olds. Younger kids go on yoga adventures and use their imaginations as they learn new poses and how to breathe deeply, while older kids are interested in learning more challenging poses and going deeper in their practice.
Our staff of teachers are trained and believe in this mission as much as I do. They are so invested in our mission and they truly care about children and empowering them. They are what makes FlyKids Yoga such an amazing place. We write curriculum for each class ensuring every child who walks through our door feels empowered by the time they leave. Yoga is for every kid and every body, and we are absolutely honored to share what we love with children.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Joy is success. If I’m happy and feel alive and in alignment with who I am, then I’m successful. Our business is about serving children and helping them get to that place of alignment, inner strength and feeling comfortable being who they are. When we deliver a yoga class that empowers them, we are successful.
Contact Info:
- Address: 631 E. Southlake Blvd, Ste A
Southlake, TX 76092 - Website: www.flykidsyoga.com
- Phone: 817 755 4133
- Email: info@flykidsyoga.com
- Instagram: flykidsyogasouthlake
- Facebook: flykidsyogasouthlake
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