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Meet Our Teachers
Susan Fried
Susan is the owner of Budding Buddhas Children’s Yoga and has been practicing for over 15 years. Prior to teaching yoga, Susan was a Casting Director in film and television. She worked with children on dozens of projects and taught them how to relax before their audition, how to be in the moment and confident when filming, and how to embrace self-esteem and joy. Susan believes these lessons can apply to all children.
Susan feels that children of all ages can understand the mind/body connection and she integrates this into her Budding Buddhas Yoga & Mindfulness programs. She empowers students to take yoga techniques off the mat and into their everyday lives.
Susan received her children’s yoga teaching certification through Karma Kids Yoga in New York City. She also completed a 200 hr. adult teaching certificate at Yoga Haven in Scarsdale, NY. Susan’s programs enrich children’s lives in ways she never thought imaginable.
Susan feels that children of all ages can understand the mind/body connection and she integrates this into her Budding Buddhas Yoga & Mindfulness programs. She empowers students to take yoga techniques off the mat and into their everyday lives.
Susan received her children’s yoga teaching certification through Karma Kids Yoga in New York City. She also completed a 200 hr. adult teaching certificate at Yoga Haven in Scarsdale, NY. Susan’s programs enrich children’s lives in ways she never thought imaginable.
Michelle Valentine
Michelle was a preschool teacher for a number of years before she decided to get certified to teach children's yoga. Her love of working with young children and teaching yoga came together perfectly with the addition of this certification. Michelle loves bringing the gifts of yoga to children. Knowing she is giving children the lifelong tools to calm their minds and bodies truly makes her heart smile.
Michelle received her children's yoga certification from Yogakids. She received her 200-hour adult certification from Yoga Haven in Scarsdale, NY. She is also certified in Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga and is a NASM certified personal trainer.
Michelle received her children's yoga certification from Yogakids. She received her 200-hour adult certification from Yoga Haven in Scarsdale, NY. She is also certified in Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga and is a NASM certified personal trainer.
Melissa Lawson
Born in Thailand, Melissa has lived throughout South Asia, Southern United States, and now calls New York home. Her yoga practice began with a college elective course, and she fell in love with it.
Melissa brings a playful aspect to her yoga that carries into her life off the mat. She is a working artist and leads classes that inspire creativity and kindness. She teaches post-natal yoga, children’s yoga (babies through teens), mommy/daddy and me, and yoga and art combined.
With certifications from Karma Kids Yoga, Radiant Child Yoga, Yoga for the Special Child, Yoga Mom Buddha Baby, Pediatric Yoga, Yoga Haven, and is trained in Red Cross First Aid and CPR; Melissa also wrote a NYC DOE Compliant Yoga Curriculum for a private school in Manhattan.
Melissa brings a playful aspect to her yoga that carries into her life off the mat. She is a working artist and leads classes that inspire creativity and kindness. She teaches post-natal yoga, children’s yoga (babies through teens), mommy/daddy and me, and yoga and art combined.
With certifications from Karma Kids Yoga, Radiant Child Yoga, Yoga for the Special Child, Yoga Mom Buddha Baby, Pediatric Yoga, Yoga Haven, and is trained in Red Cross First Aid and CPR; Melissa also wrote a NYC DOE Compliant Yoga Curriculum for a private school in Manhattan.
Susie Menkes
Susie Menkes is passionate about teaching mindfulness and yoga to kids.
She earned her 200 hour teaching certificate from Tovami Yoga and has certifications in children's yoga and meditation from Budding Buddhas Kids Yoga and Kidding Around Yoga. Additionally, she has certificates in Mindfulness Fundamentals from Mindful Schools, and KAY4ALL, a diversity and inclusivity training from Kidding Around Yoga. Susie enjoys teaching kids of all ages and hopes her work will help make the world a kinder place.
She earned her 200 hour teaching certificate from Tovami Yoga and has certifications in children's yoga and meditation from Budding Buddhas Kids Yoga and Kidding Around Yoga. Additionally, she has certificates in Mindfulness Fundamentals from Mindful Schools, and KAY4ALL, a diversity and inclusivity training from Kidding Around Yoga. Susie enjoys teaching kids of all ages and hopes her work will help make the world a kinder place.
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