Become a Growga Instructor

Written by O2 Fitness | Oct 23, 2019

Do you love kids? Do you love yoga? Do you love O2 Fitness? We're looking for enthusiastic and passionate individuals to teach our newest kids yoga classes in partnership with Growga!

Growga teacher training is open to members and non-members who are interested in leading mindful yoga practices for kids across all O2 Fitness locations. We sat down with Growga founder and instructor Emily Behr to get the full details on this upcoming training.

What is Growga?

Growga is a Kids and Family Yoga Program that includes Mindfulness, Social Emotional Learning, and Yoga in every class.

Why did you create this program?

After teaching yoga for 11 years and having my 2 daughters, I saw the need for introducing kids to the transformational tools that yoga provides. I thought, "Wow. If this is how yoga has transformed my life in my adult years, I can only imagine how much it can transform kids when they start at a young age."

What are the physical and mental benefits of yoga for kids?

Why it matters:

1 in 3 adolescents will meet criteria for an anxiety disorder by the age of 18
40% of those met criteria for an additional mental disorder
Age 6 is the median age of onset of anxiety disorders
50% of adolescents sampled met lifetime criteria for at least one diagnosed mental disorder

Physical Benefits:

Increases flexibility
Improves strength
Improves balance

Mental Benefits:

Develops concentration & focus
Reduces Stress & Anxiety
Increases self-acceptance
Encourages self-awareness, resilience, teamwork, and empathy

What do you love most about teaching Growga?

I love when I am introducing it to a student for the first time. They might be apprehensive at first, but then, when they really start to have fun and you see the smile on their face, it makes it all worth it. I also really love when a parent tells me that their child is practicing on their own, which often happens even after their first class. It shows that what we teach really resonates in a way that can transform that child's everyday life.

Are there any prerequisites to becoming a Growga instructor?

We ask that you have experience working with children and a personal yoga/mindfulness practices is preferred. We do not require a 200-hour YTT, but it is preferred. All potential trainees must apply via our website and undergo a background check prior to being accepted into the training.

After I'm certified, how many classes can I teach?

You are welcome to teach as many classes as your availability (and energy level!) allows. We meet with each teacher, after they register for our training, to talk through their goals for their teaching to help place them into teaching opportunities either through o2, schools, youth organizations, or other businesses in their communities.

How often do I need to get recertified?

Once certified as a Growga instructor, we ask that you have at least 3 hours of continuing education training (either through or approved by Growga) each year to maintain your certification.

Can I teach Growga at other gyms?

You are able to teach Growga with any other Growga partner. Once you onboard with us and complete your training, we will place you into opportunities based on your experience, passion, and availability. Some of our partners include schools, youth organizations, dance studios, yoga studios, tumble gyms, and businesses that provide youth-focused programming.

The 4-week Growga Teacher Training is online for your convenience and includes an in-person practicum and demo upon completion of the online portion. This $275 teacher training program begins on November 11 and includes:

Video conferences with our director of training.
Group work that will be done virtually.
25 hours of content
At the end of the training, the trainee will sign up for a slot to do an in-person demo in front of a small group of his/her peer trainees and the director of training followed by feedback/discussion about the demo.
O2 instructors receive 10% off!

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