About Jeannine
Jeannine K. Smolinsky, M.Ed., E-RYTFounder & Director
Jeannine K. Smolinsky, M.Ed., E-RYT, is a well-known expert in the field of science, yoga, and stress management for children and adults. With an impressive background of educational training and a unique personable charm, she continues to expand her presence through Yoga Rocks™, Yoga Rocks Kids™, and the Yoga Rocks Kids™ Teacher Training Program in studios, schools, corporations, and other organizations.
Jeannine's journey into the health field began as a young child. After experiencing a burn to her right hand as a baby and undergoing two surgeries during her childhood, Jeannine sought out ways to deal with the stressful physical and emotional experience. This led her to pursue healthy and effective ways to help children handle stressful situations and everyday issues in their lives.
Jeannine planned on a career in medicine and graduated Pre-Med from Hofstra University with a degree in biology. She traveled abroad and studied biology and psychology, where the integration of the mind and body connection really hit home. This combination of western medicine and effective stress techniques was what she sought after as a child! She realized that a career in the holistic health field was her future and wanted to help children learn about these techniques. With excitement, Jeannine pursued a Master's Degree in Education. Following, she began teaching science and relaxation techniques to children of all ages and abilities.
Touched by one of her students with cerebral palsy, Jeannine became a certified yoga instructor at the Kripalu Center for Health and Yoga in Lenox, MA and began a yoga enrichment program at Locust Valley Middle School. What came next was truly an amazing experience as Jeannine watched children of all ages and abilities thrive in every aspect of their lives, including academic performance. By practicing the poses and breathing techniques, the children were more focused, balanced, healthier and happier.
Jeannine knew that her next step was to take yoga to a whole new level.
In 2004, Jeannine founded Yoga Rocks™ (formerly Whole New World Yoga) in Oyster Bay, a yoga studio for children and families.
Yoga Rocks™ was created to inspire and empower adults and children of all ages and abilities to make yoga a part of their everyday lives. Jeannine's passion is evident through her creative teaching style and is considered to be a leading expert in the field of stress management, yoga, science and education.
Jeannine is also the creator Yoga Rocks Kids™, one of the only children's certified yoga programs in the country. Yoga Rocks Kids™ inspires and empowers kids of all ages and abilities to be productive, positive, and peaceful. The program is currently practiced in schools, hospitals, daycare centers, and clubs including the OB-EN Schools, Locust Valley Schools, East Woods School, Portledge School, Carle Place Schools, Oyster Babies, AHRC EC Programs, Winthrop Hospital Children's Diabetes Program and growing more and more each day!
Jeannine currently trains teachers, parents, therapists, social workers, scout leaders, and anyone who works with kids in her Yoga Rocks Kids™ Teacher Training Program. Adults can learn and integrate the Yoga Rocks Kids™ Program into their homes, classrooms, work environments and daily lives.
Jeannine continues to spread the Yoga Rocks™ vision into schools, studios and other organizations, affiliate partners, licensing, franchising as well as developing the Yoga Rocks Kids™ Program through books, CDs, DVDs, and more exciting things each day! With so many opportunities, you may see her on the mat from time to time taking a much needed yoga break!
