Today we have Donna Delshad on The Mag. Donna is the owner of Shorty Yoga, a Los Angeles yoga studio just for kids. Read all about her business and the benefits of yoga below!

Introduce yourself and Shorty.

Hi! I’m Donna Delshad, the founder of Shorty Yoga, Los Angeles’ only all-kids, all-yoga studio! We offer classes for babies, toddlers, kids, tweens and teens. Shorty helps kids become awesome little human beings by introducing them to yoga, in a space just for them, with a program designed to help them thrive. It’s fun, it’s chill, it’s generally awesome!

How did you start this brand?

Before opening Shorty, I was a branding and marketing executive at one of the top talent agencies in LA. It was incredible, fast-paced and frankly as exhausting as you’d imagine. After years in the business, I found some mental and emotional chill in a very modern yoga practice. I was finally able to disconnect and unwind. Even then, I would say I was the least likely to open a yoga studio. But around the same time, I saw that my nieces, then ages 2 and 5 took an interest in yoga too, and unfortunately there was really no specialized or dedicated place for them to go. I already had my own life changing experience with yoga (why didn’t I find this at a younger age?) and started to learn more about the amazing health benefits of yoga for kids. So that’s ultimately what drove me to create a really cool place exclusively for kiddos of all ages to practice yoga.

Please share some benefits of yoga for kids for those that don’t know.

There are SO many! Some of the more obvious benefits include a practice in mindfulness, stress relief and improved physical ability, but the list goes on...

+ reduces anxiety and provides stress relief
+ enhances physical ability (body movement, body awareness, strength, endurance, aerobic capacity)
+ refines balance and coordination (gross and fine motor coordination)
+ increases confidence and positive self-image
+ improves academic performance and classroom behavior
+ maximizes development of social and emotional competence
+ improves concentration, focus and memory
+ helps develop better self control
+ improves symptoms of ADHD
+ promotes mindfulness and time to disconnect from technology
+ provides tools for practicing compassion, cooperation and generosity
+ fosters a sense of community and belonging in a healthy, non-competitive group

What is one thing/aspect that makes your classes so memorable?

Shorty offers a modern and engaging take on the classical yoga practice and our classes are broken down by age and structured with their physical and mental capabilities in mind. No matter the age group, we guide kids through a 45-minute program that is suited for them energetically and developmentally. They’re doing what a lot of the parents call “real” yoga, essentially nothing too cheesy or childish, but actual poses and sun salutations you would do in an adult class. It allows them to disconnect and it’s super fun! Our teachers are incredible. The playlists are rad. Grownups can take a breather. And most importantly, the kids are HAPPIER AND HEALTHIER for it.

Name up to three other small businesses in LA that you love.

Our neighbors on the block Sashay Wax (the owner, Mistey, is the sweetest and dopest aesthetician of your dreams), GREENDOOR for the tastiest caffeine hits that keep us going, and Olive and June, just a couple minutes away, for keeping those nails looking fresh!

How can we find you during the pandemic?

On the interwebz! We’re teaching virtual group classes (yay for interactive sessions!) and private sessions via Zoom (book on our website ) and on the gram.

Anything else you’d like to add?

You’ve gotta try it, be open and have fun. That goes for you and your kids. I’m naturally the type of person who cannot shut my brain off for the life of me, am a bit of a skeptic, and not exactly an incredible athlete or super flexible, but whoa, look at me and my relationship with yoga now! Your version of a yoga practice doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s and can still be hugely beneficial to you. Music, no music, fast or slow, it doesn’t matter. Truly, just get on the mat. Stay in child’s pose. Just show up. Encourage your kids to do the same. I can pretty much guarantee you’ll be happy you did.

And finally, where can we find you?

• Website: shortyyoga.com

• Instagram: @shortylosangeles