Today we’d like to introduce you to Stav Pinder.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2007, I graduated high school early to pursue an acting and singing career in New York City. My sister dragged me to a free yoga class, which I hated! I was so frustrated because I couldn’t do any of it- I could barely straighten my legs while simply standing! It wasn’t until the 2nd yoga class that I started to find a sense of calm between stressful Off-Broadway performances. Like most New York City performers and artists, I had to find other jobs to cover my bills; that’s when I started working with kids. I became a children’s tutor, Homeschool Teacher, Hebrew School Teacher, mother’s helper, babysitter, nanny… you name it! I was really blessed to nanny and tutor young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
In 2016, I auditioned for my dream role in a major feature film -and after many callbacks- I didn’t get the role. When I found out, I broke down in tears on the grass in the middle of McCarren Park (in Brooklyn). At that moment, I realized that I didn’t have any tools to cope with big feelings. I didn’t feel like I was healthily able “to feel sad” ever. Like many immigrant parents during that time, mine tried their best to raise happy children, ignoring what to do with emotions that felt “bad”. I realized I wasn’t the only one, my students for the past decade felt “capital R” Real anxieties and emotions. During my ongoing yoga practice, I found that body awareness was the 1st step toward self-regulation. It only made sense for me to combine my love for children and yoga.
After three (3) Kids Yoga and Mindfulness Certifications, I incorporated Mindful Start in 2017. I initially started teaching in yoga studios, but realized shortly after, that I needed to go where the kids are. I went to daycares and schools. I now teach Mindfulness classes at schools, libraries, and one-on-one over Zoom, in Maryland, New York, and Orlando. Since including Zoom sessions due to the pandemic, I have been able to reach thousands of students living all over the US.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?Yes and no. Yes- because a few days after my first Kids Yoga Teacher Training, I was already asked to teach my very first kids yoga class! It’s funny to me how I’d post acting videos on YouTube years before without much engagement, but when I created online kids’ classes on YouTube, I had over half a million views within weeks. Later that year, I was invited to star on the HiHo Kids channel. Everything seemed to happen so fast! Thinking about it now, I already had a decade of teaching experience and yoga, so the latent learning curve actually took a decade!
And no- because I find it very challenging to scale as one person. I also struggle with trying to walk away from the word “yoga” completely. Mindful Start and what I teach is completely secular, and I do call it Mindfulness more than yoga because children learn mind-body movement, awareness, and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)- with silly puppets, favorite-food poses, and parachute games. Therefore, it is not at all a “kids’ version of adult yoga”.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Mindful Start?
Every group class is like a performance for me! In a Mindful Start class, children learn in a healthy and positive way, how to express, identify, and regulate emotions, with “Oinky” my pig puppet. My puppets and songs are a big part of how I teach.
Mindful Start offers fully insured and specialized kid’s classes and workshops to schools, libraries, and residences, for kids, infants, families, and teachers. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is a necessary tool for emotional and social development. Children who are able to identify emotion after learning SEL are able to behave and self-regulate in social settings, at home, and at school. Why is this? Because labeling the emotion is the first step to attaining help. This is the most important foundation in a world that has 300,000 children between the ages of 2-5 suffering from depression and anxiety! Children with these skills are more likely to “graduate from school and get a full-time job” (Alexis Clark, MA, MS).
I’m known for being a “child-whisperer” (LOL)… I think that’s because I remember so vividly what it’s like to be a young child. I remember saying I was sick every Monday before school when I was actually anxious- and so many children say something along those lines when they feel mad/sad/scared today. It is my goal to help children cope with big emotions at a young age and teach them that it’s OK to feel!
I am most proud of my students! I have had some students with particularly challenging life circumstances, and their positive growth makes my eyes water! Therapy isn’t always accessible for kids, and so I’m proud to portray that safe “big sister” role they never had.
You can currently find my one-on-one sessions online (all ages), or public classes in-person at the Winter Garden Library on Mondays at 10:30 am (ages 0-7), or at the West Oaks Library and Genealogy Center on Wednesdays at 10 am (ages 0-7).
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Ooo! Mindfulness is certainly a buzzword these days, but my hope is for people to view self-awareness as a necessity beyond trend. World peace begins with the inner peace of the individual. That is something that must be taught, one person at a time. My goal is to reach as many children and families as possible over the next 5-10 years!
In order to reach even more students, I’d have to build a team or automate my classes. I have been teaching workshops for parents, teachers, and caregivers, and am hoping to create online courses that can be accessed at any time.
I see my industry staying in yoga studios or other exclusive locations, but I’d personally love to create a show that families can access anytime. My one-on-one classes help each student feel supported on their individual journey AND I’d love to reach families who’d never even cross my path!
Pricing:
- Public Classes: FREE
- One-On-One Sessions (online): Starting at $34/session
Contact Info:
- Email: info@mindfulstartyoga.com
- Website: www.mindfulstartyoga.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful_start/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindfulstartkids
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-r-dcd3wbdpsIKq0KycWlQ
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwSi78Zdbm8
Image Credits
Ashley Thomas
Summerside Creative
