About Just Breathe for Kids
Imagine the world I will design when I am inspired to trust that I have everything inside me to be my best…and I learn to believe it. This is why we practice. THIS is Just Breathe for Kids.
Just Breathe was born when my, then, four-year-old son left his first yoga class and said “so in yoga, you just breathe.”
-Jamie Castaño, Founder MSW, RYT 500
Since its inception, Just Breathe for Kids has been dedicated to teaching social-emotional skills through yoga and mindful movement across the South. Our mission is to make the practice of yoga and mindfulness accessible to children everywhere, fostering emotional resilience and self-awareness one breath at a time.
Our Approach: At Just Breathe for Kids, we focus on empowering children to become the best version of themselves. Our classes are designed to encourage self-discovery, emphasizing that there is no right or wrong, no pursuit of perfection, and no one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we guide children on a journey of understanding their emotions, learning how to pause, breathe, and connect with their inner selves.
We see there are so many places our children are asked to fit into a one-size-fits-all box. In our kids classes, every body and everybody is different (and welcome) and that is exactly how it should be!
What sets Just Breathe for Kids apart is the unique blend of my background in social work and extensive experience in schools with the principles and practices of yoga and mindfulness. Each Just Breathe for Kids class is centered around a specific theme, carefully chosen to teach life skills that are valuable for all children. Themes like “I am ready” or “I am me” provide a focal point during yoga poses and mindfulness exercises, allowing children to connect these practices to their everyday lives.
This approach ensures that our sessions are impactful, relatable, and inclusive for every child.
Meet Our Awesome Team
About Jamie
My why…
The athlete who repeats a mantra before a baseball game to help him calm his nerves.
The comment from a mom who swears her son has never been as happy as he was after his first yoga class.
The anxious student who doesn’t speak for weeks, then raises her hand in class to volunteer.
The teenager who “struggles making friends at the new middle school but lives for her yoga tribe.”
The yogi that tells his mom that he cried during the last pose in yoga because he didn’t want class to end.
The gamer who “takes a deep breath when my mom says time is up so that I don’t get mad.”
The rule follower who “practices tree pose every day to help them remember that it’s ok to fall.”
The teachers face when I share what an amazing job the often-labeled student did in yoga and how they lead the entire class.
The peer that tells another child to take a deep breath to help them calm their nerves.
My why is to create a space for all children to come where they get to be themselves, feel connected, accepted, enough, included, and special.
Christie Bell, 200 RYT
Lead Instructor & CAO
Christie is a 200HR certified yoga instructor, Just Breathe for Kids Class leader and our Chief Art Operator. Christie loves working with kids and loves yoga, constantly seeing the benefits of the practice in her and her children’s lives. Her passion for art is shared in our classes especially Summer Camp and Kids Night Out. Email Christie.
Callie Timme, 200 RYT
Certified JB4K Instructor
Callie is a 200HR certified yoga instructor and holds a MFA in Performing Arts. She has more than 10 years of teaching experience with students of all ages, and she loves integrating imagination, play, and movement in her classes. Callie’s goal as a teacher is to provide space for students to be empowered by their authenticity! Email Callie.
Melanie DeQuadros,
Operations Specialist
Melanie DeQuadros joins our team to continue the evolution of Just Breathe for Kids as we expand. She is welcomed as our back-end specialist, customer relations support and all things detailed! We are so excited to have her join our mission! Email Melanie.
Just Breathe for Kids FAQ
Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Please send us an email.
Just Breathe for Kids mindful kids yoga classes, are recommended for children age 5+ (or 4 year olds that are able to join us on their mat for 1 hour). Be sure to check social media and our website for grownup + me events and drop in classes.
No experience is ever necessary in any Just Breathe for Kids class as we believe (and practice), that our children have everything they need within them already to practice with us…we slow down our thinking minds to tune into this knowing.
We believe your child(ren) already has everything they need to join our classes. All of our classes are designed to meet our children exactly where they are. In our Just Breathe for Kids class we will welcome your child into the space that they will help design and create.
All you need for a Just Breathe for Kids classes is…YOU!
General Studio Information
Please come dressed in clothes comfortable to move in. It is recommended to remove socks prior to practice as they make for slippery mats and floor.
e for Kids mindful kids yoga classes, are recommended for children age 5+ (or 4 year olds that are able to join us on their mat for 1 hour). Be sure to check social media and our website for grownup + me events and drop in classes.
A mat or towel (yes, we have mats available for use)
Water bottle (with water) that closes
Just Breathe for Kids is located behind the parking lot of Jarfly in midtown Columbus. You will see signs pointing to our space. 1365 Warren Williams Rd, STE B, Columbus, GA 31901
You will notice our space is perfect for our small class size, which means…please wait with your child(ren) outside, in the park across the street, in the car until class time.
Please arrive no more than 5 minutes early for class
Please stay with your child(ren) until they enter the studio
When you bring your child(ren) inside the main building (before reaching our studio) you will notice a yellow rope marking off our space. PLEASE DO NOT CROSS THE ROPE. IT WILL SET OFF AN ALARM.
As always, we will enter the studio together after removing our shoes.
Please bring a mat and closed water bottle (with water) to each class. Yes, we have mats to borrow should your child need one. Dress is comfortable to move our bodies. This space is smaller and although it has air (and heat) when moving it will get hot. Please dress your child(ren) mindfully.
No food or drinks other than water are permitted inside the studio.
No cell phones, smart watches (like Apple Watch), smart earphones (like Air Pods) are allowed in the studio at any time.
All personal belongings may be kept in the cubbies outside the studio.
Parking is super limited right outside the studio. We recommend parking at the park across the street and walking your child(ren) over to our space right before class time.
All children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times unless they are in class.
Younger yogi’s Parents: Please take your yogi to the restroom BEFORE class begins.
We start our class on time to honor the tradition and end on time to honor you.
Notice of Exemption Just Breathe is not a licensed child care facility. This program is not required to be licensed by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and this program is exempt from state licensure requirements.
We follow Muscogee County’s decisions on inclement weather school closings. However, you should always use your own judgement when deciding to travel due to weather. We will also communicate all schedule changes on social media.