Leslie Smith is a Western New York native, who has taught in early childhood classrooms from Boston to Milwaukee and now the Western suburbs for 20+ years.   She began experimenting with yoga and mindfulness in her preschool classroom to aid in transitions and conflict management, following a teacher training class. She was fascinated by the brain science behind it and how, like a magic wand, it gave her students access to explore their inner world, as well as a means to increase strength, flexibility, and balance. Using their five senses, her students were enamored with the agency they now had to navigate their emotions. After that, she was hooked and determined to give her students the emotional toolbox she never developed as a child. In January of 2024, she completed the 95HR RCYT through Youth Alliance Yoga. Leslie relishes in using students’ interests, like nature, sports and music, to create unique flows and games—the sillier the better! Through BBKY, she is thrilled to help your child cultivate self-compassion, care, and confidence by learning to connect breath and body in the present moment. When she’s not teaching, Leslie loves to read, sew, watch her boys play hockey, travel—trying not to visit the same place twice—and be outside near water as much as possible.