The Yoga Gnome is the first kids' yoga studio in Bucks County. It was established to give kids aka gnomes of all ages, a place to ground, breathe, smile, and grow mindfully. It's a place where everyone is given an opportunity to find their inner light and to be their truest self. Whether you're a kid, or an adult (aka a kid at heart), the yoga gnome is here for you.
During COVID-19, and the various social distancing restrictions society has faced, Adi Strigl has identified a deep need for connection among and between kids (and adults). Seeing her own kids struggle with the "new normal", and experience anxiety has inspired her to use yoga, mindfulness, and meditation techniques to help them cope and adjust to the new reality.
Once the school district announced schools will resume virtually only, Adi was thinking of innovative ways to help her kids and their friends find calm amidst the chaos, and interact with friends in a fun and safe way. Adi wanted to share her love of yoga with the community and offered to teach yoga in pods/ mini-groups, Upon very successful response, Adi decided to focus all her efforts and energy to form a place where kids can thrive and flourish, and find ways to connect and live a mindful life in a safe way.
Please don't hesitate to visit The Yoga Gnome. Our doors are always open for you.
"Adi is wonderful with her students! Adi makes learning yoga fun for them and teaches them valuable skills that they can apply to their everyday life. Yoga has provided my son an outlet for self-care, and increased his body awareness and mindfulness. I really can't say enough about Adi's classes!" Jenny, Doylestown
Adi was introduced to yoga at the age of 16 in her homeland, Israel. It was an unforgettable encounter filled with Sanskrit words and unusual posters which left her curious and mesmerized. It took her a few years to realize the encounter wasn’t coincidental. Yoga found her again at the age of 23 and has been her anchor and sanctuary throughout life’s adventures ever since. After serving as an officer in the Israeli army and traveling the world, she met her husband and settled in beautiful Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where they live happily with their 5 kids. (3 humans and 2 pets). Adi holds a 200 hour Yoga Alliance certification and is a registered children's yoga certified as well.
Adi thrives to bring lightheartedness, thoughtfulness, and humor into her classes, and make yoga accessible to all ages and abilities.
Meet The Gnome Team
Courtney Downey
Yoga has been a part of my life since I was 13 years old, thanks to my amazing holistic healer mother. My practice has helped me grow stronger, more flexible, and has made me more mindful of the way I live my life, both on and off the mat. Yoga inspires me to live each moment of my life to the fullest.
I completed my 200 hour Hatha Yoga training at Dragonfly Yoga Studio in Doylestown, PA, and I completed my 500 hour advanced training and 95 hour Prenatal training with Dig Yoga in Lambertville,NJ. I am also a Nationally Board Certified and Licensed Massage Therapist, an Holistic Health Practitioner, Reiki Level II Certified, a Certified Infant Massage Educator, a Birth Doula, and I have a BFA in Theatre from the University of Colorado-Boulder. I will always be a student, eager to learn new ways in which to share health and wellness with my clients and students. I am deeply grateful for the loving wisdom my teachers have shared with me.
Kate Wilcox Tarr
Kate Wilcox Tarr is a 200HR Registered Yoga Teacher from Bucks County, PA. Kate uses her experience as a life-long yogi and mom of four to help others center themselves and reap the benefits of living a strong, balanced and connected life on and off the mat. Her passion is helping new families to grow with yoga.
Kate has practiced yoga in all forms since she was 15 years old and has used yoga to ease all of life’s transitions. She graduated from New York University in 2009 with a bachelor’s in Journalism and Spanish. After working as a reporter telling the stories of people from so many walks of life, Kate knows everyone can benefit from some brain-body-breath connection.
She is pre and postnatal yoga certified and also holds certifications in baby, toddler and kids yoga through ChildLight Yoga.
Donna Panarello
Donna discovered the benefits of Yoga in 2002, and after years of practice with local studios, she decided to pursue her teaching career by obtaining her E-RYT (Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher), and YACEP (Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider) credentials with Yoga Alliance. In addition, she went on to obtain her Kids Yoga Teacher certification to expand her teaching skills and deepen her practice. After the birth of her daughter, she began to dedicate her practice and wellness care specifically to postnatal recovery. She believes that all women need to feel empowered and supported during their postpartum recovery
In addition to yoga, Donna is also a Mat Pilates and dance instructor. She has been fluent in all styles of dance and enjoyed teaching for over 20 years. She feels that movement of any kind is empowering and creative.
Elizabeth Kornberg
Liz Kornberg, ATR-BC, LPC from Olive Branch Art Therapy is a practicing art therapist and counselor. She continually finds herself going back to the healing power of creative expression to explore what is true.
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She has worked with children supporting them through school transitions and adjudicated adolescents in inpatient and outpatient settings. Working as an art therapist has taken her from Santa Fe, New Mexico to the villages of Malawi, Africa. She now lives in Bucks County with her husband and two children.
Diane Davis
Diane comes to the Yoga Gnome with her 200 HR Teacher Training as well as her Kids Yoga certification, and countless hours working with children of all abilities throughout the community. Diane is a level 2 Reiki practitioner and trained in Chakra work and crystals. Diane has worked for Central Bucks School District in Special Education for 17 years. She has resided in Doylestown for 18 years.
Diane introduced yoga to her Life Skills class, and it was a huge hit! Diane is passionate about working with all members and ages of the accessible community. Her aspiration is to teach an abilities yoga class.
Leia Barrett
Leia has been teaching yoga to people of all ages for 9 years. She had the privilege of staying home with her two boys when they were young and on the side, taught health and wellness classes at local studios and the Central Bucks YMCA. Leia is now a school counselor and incorporates yoga and mindfulness practices into her daily work with students. She loves watching young people discover their true essence and how to share it with the world confidently.
Leia's classes will engage students physically, socially, and emotionally. Your child will practice breath work, emotional awareness and self-regulation, calming and energizing strategies, body awareness through movement, self-acceptance, playing fun games and using their imagination.
Yoga Certifications:
Childlight Yoga and Mindfulness
200RYT Ashtanga Yoga
Emily Eberle
Like so many, Emily came to yoga for fitness but quickly discovered the healing power of the practice. She began practicing regularly in 2016 and searching for rooftops to shout the joys of yoga. Emily was born and raised in Bucks County and is the mother to two gnomes and one fur gnome. She is so grateful for the opportunity to share her practice with children. More than ever, the teachings of yoga are needed to bring light and love and who better to share it with than our future leaders. Emily graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Lifestyle Coaching. Emily has received training from Dragonfly Yoga Studio and has completed her training in Yoga & Mindfulness for Children through Childlight Education Company. She is so excited to learn and grow alongside your little gnome.