A qualified Bolton teacher has stepped outside of the classroom to improve children's health and wellbeing.
After chalking up nearly 10 years of teaching in Bolton, Gabriella Danby, aged 31, is leaving the profession to run children's yoga classes.
Gabriella, now of Chorley but originally from Bolton, has trained as a yoga teacher and launched 'Kids Tribe Yoga', having previously considered the idea for years.
She said: "I have been a primary school teacher for nearly 10 years now, but over the last few years with Covid and all sorts of other things, it has been increasingly difficult to be a teacher.
"I had thought for a while about trying to do children's yoga, still trying to work with children because I love them and that part of the job.
"I've always done yoga myself, for six years now, and I really enjoy it, so I thought why not put the two things together?
"Being on maternity leave gave me the push to do it - when you are working full time it can be hard to find the time to do things. Now one of my boys has started school, so I wanted to be there for them more and this seemed like the perfect opportunity."
She added: "It is not just about poses and flexibility. We do a lot of meditation, a lot of breathing techniques and positive affirmations.
"Children are increasingly struggling with their mental health, I think a lot of that has come from Covid. I have heard of children struggling with anxiety at as young as five.
"So anything that can help that is good."
Gabriella currently has classes booked in Westhoughton and in Chorley, with dates to be confirmed. She is also open to hosting classes elsewhere in Bolton.
She said: "At Amore coffee shop in Westhoughton, we will be having a Halloween-themed event with an hour-and-a-half long yoga session, which will incorporate things like meditation, breathing techniques and poses, as well as games and crafts.
"For parents and carers, it will give them a chance to sit back for an hour-and-a-half."
To keep up to date with Kids Tribe Yoga, see their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090240760108
To attend the event, RSVP to Rachel at Amore Coffee Shop on 01942 790922. Tickets are £12 per child.
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