The idea for Planet Yoga started with kids, so it only makes sense that the yoga studio, located in southwest Edmonton, would be family-centric. “I started with Kindermusik, which is an early childhood music program that has been around for 35 years,” says owner Thea Pelletier. “We had these group classes that incorporated music and movement and it was a success. I saw the benefits of the physical activity within the classes.”
Kindermusik is aimed at kids aged seven and younger, but Thea noticed many of the families she taught had kids of all ages and thought it would benefit them as well if they were able to incorporate both music and yoga into their lives. So, she opened up a few studios next to her music school and it was a big hit. “We started with two-year-olds to 12-year-olds and we had three different rooms to do it in,” says Thea. “It was convenient for families.”
The parents started to join in, so Planet Yoga opened an adult class. “They could share what they were doing once they got home. A lot of the moves cross over so they all could practice together, which was special for a lot of parents," says Thea.