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.
Kelsey Unangst
Kelsey took her first yoga classes as a teen but yoga became an important part of my life after becoming a mom. After my 200 hour teacher training at Moondog Yoga in Quakertown, her kids would watch her practice at home and always wanted to be a part of what she was doing.
Kelsey started looking for kids yoga classes which led her to the Yoga Gnome! She knew that breathing techniques, body and mental awareness and a chance to just move the body would benefit her kids just as much as it was beneficial for her.
When the opportunity to become a Kidding Around Yoga (kids yoga) teacher was presented, she couldn’t resist! Now Kelsey get to share her love of yoga with all ages. For now, preschoolers are her favorite to teach because her two little ones at home get to be apart of it all!
Alex Portale
Alex took her first yoga class with her dad when she was in high school. It was something new they were trying out together. Slowly and gradually yoga became a huge part of Alex’s life. During college, she would take classes taught by her friends on campus. After college, she started going to yoga workshops and retreats, and taking classes at local studios when she was traveling (hot yoga in Copenhagen, dance flow in Nashville, power yoga in Pittsburgh, bikram yoga in New York City, SUP yoga in Aruba…).
Alex joined the Yoga Gnome fam when she took her first prenatal yoga class with Kate in 2021, and now she loves to share her love of yoga with her son, Dylan. Alex has a background in social work and emotional support counseling in schools. Alex loves gardening, traveling, and live music. She also has a great time exploring all that our awesome Bucks County has to offer. Most of all she loves spending time with her son, her husband, and their dog.
Alex completed a 200 hour yoga teacher training at Yoga Habit in Fairmount, Philly. She completed a Kids Yoga Teacher Training Certificate in 2024 through Kidding Around Yoga right here at the Yoga Gnome. She has a BA in Psychology from Gettysburg College and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Pennsylvania.