CHAPEL HILL – Growga isn’t your typical yoga studio, says its founder Emily Behr.
There’s no bricks and mortar shop front. Instead, “we bring our program directly to the community — where they work, play, learn, and lead,” says the mother of two.
That could include schools, corporate businesses – and soon your local gym.
The Chapel Hill-based Growga recently signed a deal with O2 Fitness Clubs to launch its kids program in all of its 29 locations – including the Triad and Triangle, as well as Wilmington and Charleston, South Carolina.
It is expected to launch in early 2020.
Hajja Diallo, Brady Fuller, and Jackson Fuller.
“They approached us to help them drive the launch of their kids’ fitness programming,” recalls Behr. “By offering Growga, parents could get their needed exercise while their children were engaged in activities designed to build important life skills.”
Launched in May, Growga is new kind of “mobile” yoga where instructors teach on site at schools, youth organizations and fitness-focused businesses.
“We want to reach as many kids and families as possible. To do that, we feel it’s important to get out of the four walls of the studio, and meet them where they are,” says Behr.
Behr said she has developed a “proprietary and scalable curriculum,” which focuses not only on yoga, but also the practices of mindfulness and social emotional learning. For example, Growga’s Little Sprouts program is specifically designed for ages 2-5 and introduces mindfulness through engaging games, storytelling, and movement.
As part of that, Behr has launched a four-week online training course, which trains Growga instructors in the curriculum and then places them into job opportunities in their area.
“This helps us quickly recruit and onboard teachers around the Triangle, Triad, Wilmington, and Charleston areas to meet our expansion needs, and the demand we’re realizing from new markets.”
