We had the good fortune of connecting with Monica Fitzpatrick and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monica, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Mooka is a kid’s movement, mindfulness, and mindset practice that helps children find personal awareness and resiliency. As a teacher in our schools, I was filled with overwhelmed and stress. I found yoga as a way to support myself and it allowed me to enter my classroom more calmly. Then one day I had a student share his anxiety and stress with me about a school assignment. I began incorporating mindfulness and breathing into my lessons, and that same student said to me, “Ms. Fitzpatrick, can we do that again?” I changed my focus from teaching reading to teaching kids breathing. Mooka is based largely on the science of yoga, mindfulness, and growth mindset practices. I designed a curriculum that is built for busy classrooms. When students are able to begin from a place of personal awareness, all other learning and change follows naturally.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My goal when I go into classrooms, or work with families privately, is to teach them the necessary tools so that they can practice independently each and every day. A lot of kid yoga on the market is wonderful, but it relies heavily on having the teacher guide your practice. Mooka is different.

The Mooka Curriclum teaches you how to practice simple self-awareness tools to notice your body, mind, and heart in the present moment. These tools look a lot like yoga, but I also add in cartwheels and handstands, and the occasional dance party. Once you learn the tools of the Mooka practice (move + breathe + rest + sit), you can begin to build your own Mooka practice independently with what you feel you need.

I’ve had the opportunity to learn countless lessons in business ownership through owning Elevated Yoga Studio in downtown Longmont for almost three years now. One lesson that stands out is the power of community and collaboration. Most of the growth of Mooka is built on the foundation of community that I found from Elevated. Mooka collaborates with SVVSD as an enrichment provider in their buildings, as well as other childcare centers. You can also enjoy a Mooka practice on TV through a collaboration with Longmont Public Media. “A Mooka Moment” airs most mornings on Longmont Comcast channel 8/880. It is also available to stream anytime on Youtube and Roku.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Longmont, CO provides the quaint small-town feel with friendly people and plenty of open space. If you are downtown, of course stop in for a yoga class at Elevated Yoga Studio. Afterwards, get a sip of coffee across the street at the oldest cafe in Longmont, Javastop. Then if you want to get outside, take a hike along Rabbit Mountain.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Thank you Holistic Life Foundation, Inc. These wonderful people are paving the way for so much change in our schools and our world. I’ve trained with Ali, Atman, and Andres at the Omega Institute. They are generous, kind, and most importantly lifting children up through movement and mindfulness practices. Their love is abundant and I am forever grateful for their work and energy.

Website: www.mooka.org

Instagram: www.instagram.com/monicafitz26

Youtube: www.youtube.com/mookamoment

Other: https://linktr.ee/monicafitz26/

Image Credits
First image, or me + kids, — Free Spirit Photography all other, me.

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