At Bright Hearts Yoga, our mission is to support children and teens to thrive emotionally and physically in any setting, preparing them to enter adulthood with bright hearts, as well as bright minds.
Meet our Founder, Gemma.
Gemma has been practising yoga for over 20 years, embracing the physical and mental benefits it has brought to her life. She was drawn to deepen her practice after giving birth to her three children and so completed a 350 hour yoga teacher training. Inspired by her own children’s experience of the world and its challenges, Gemma started teaching kids yoga and instantly fell in love. She has since completed advanced qualifications in children's and teen yoga as well as meridian-based yoga therapy.
What we think makes us a bit special
Before founding Bright Hearts Yoga, Gemma had a rich career in international development and sustainability, including working with rural communities in Africa. Caring for the environment and for the disadvantaged in society, as well as for ourselves and our bodies, are core values that Gemma loves to weave into her yoga classes with all ages.
Fun facts about Gemma:
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She has lived in 8 countries across four continents
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She holds two Masters degrees, one in Theology from the University of Oxford (a self-professed spirituality nerd) and one in Social Policy and Sustainable Livelihoods from the University of Reading
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She has swum the English Channel (in relay!)
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She LOVES tea and started her career as a Tea Buyer and Blender, sourcing tea from Africa and Sri Lanka
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She has received a birthday card from David Attenborough!
Her approach is informed by her own very traditional academic background, with its focus solely on the mind, meaning she is now passionate about getting children ‘out of their heads’. She is motivated by the idea that mainstream education is missing a crucial component in not teaching children about how their bodies, minds and emotions all work together. Through understanding this connection and being aware of it, particularly through the breath, she believes we can set children up to grow into confident, resilient and responsible adults.
Let’s ensure our children have bright hearts, as well as bright minds.
Gemma holds an up-to-date Blue Card (Working with Children check), is first-aid trained and her relevant qualifications include:
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Breathwork Instructor Level 1 (Flow Institute, coming Nov 2025)
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Yoga Therapy 1 and 2 (Zenergy Yoga, Mar 2025)
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Advanced Children’s Yoga (Zenergy Yoga Oct 2024)
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Foundation Children’s Yoga (Zenergy Yoga Sept 2024)
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350 hour Yoga Teacher Training (One Family Yoga and Fitness, Dec 22)
