Overview
The Yoga Shack has established itself as a unique kids-focused yoga, art, and play space in Fort Collins, operating under the welcoming motto: Play. Breathe. Laugh. Be You. Founded by Toni Spruell, the studio offers structured programs including after-school classes, school’s out camps, and popular summer day camps that follow the academic calendar. A distinctive feature is their Craft Market camps where children create items and donate proceeds to local charities they select. The business model emphasizes accessibility through scholarships and operates by renting community spaces to keep costs low while supporting the local economy. Every session incorporates choice-based activities, social-emotional learning, and honors all eight limbs of yoga through play rather than focusing solely on physical postures.
Yoga Format
Yoga Styles
Studio Amenities
Studio Business Hours
| Day | Status | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tuesday | Open | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday | Open | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Thursday | Open | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Friday | Open | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed | – |
| Sunday | Closed | – |
Studio in Details
A Fort Collins Kids Yoga Space Built on Play and Inclusion
In Fort Collins, The Yoga Shack has carved out a distinctive niche as a small, kids-focused yoga, art, and play establishment. The name itself hints at its origins, which founder Toni Spruell describes as a backyard garage transformed into a healing space. While the original physical yoga shala has been sold, the philosophy and community have expanded. The core identity is captured in its welcoming motto: Play. Breathe. Laugh. Be You. This isn’t a traditional adult yoga studio; it’s a dedicated environment where young people are invited to show up just as they are, with the understanding that life itself is a practice. The approach is deeply rooted in social justice, with the founder explicitly stating a commitment to honoring yoga’s roots and questioning societal norms around cultural appropriation, racism, ableism, and fatphobia in Western yoga spaces. This foundational ethos creates a yoga space that prioritizes inclusivity, autonomy, and connection over rigid physical form.
The programming is entirely centered on children and teens, reflecting a specialized kids yoga practice. Visitors describe the experiences as amazing and enriching, with one noting it was their daughter’s favorite day camp of the summer. The structure of what the studio calls Yoga, Craft, and Play classes is detailed and intentional. A typical session over an hour follows a rhythmic flow: it begins with gathering, a shared snack, and free play, then moves into a circle for check-ins, land acknowledgement, and affirmations with poses. This is followed by a short asana sequence, a social-emotional learning game, or a book reading. Crucially, children are then given a choice to play or craft in groups or individually. Breath work is used to center the group before an organized arts project, with more free time and a collaborative clean-up and closing circle to finish. Every activity is choice-in, allowing children to observe, participate, rest, or express a full range of emotions. This format seamlessly blends yoga classes with creative play and community building.
Programs That Move, Create, and Give Back
The Yoga Shack’s offerings are structured around the school calendar and summer break, providing consistent, engaging care and enrichment. They run after-school classes that operate on a monthly session basis, allowing families to sign up for a single month, multiple months, or the entire school year. A notable incentive is that the first class is always free. For days when Poudre School District (PSD) is closed, they offer school’s out full day camps. These are open to all elementary and middle school students in the area, though they are often hosted in rented spaces within the PSD system, such as Johnson Elementary. The flagship programs are the kids yoga summer day camps, which visitors have praised highly. These camps run for two, three, or five days, with locations typically on the northwest side of Fort Collins. A unique and popular feature is the Craft Market camps, where children plan, create items, and run a market, donating all proceeds to local charities they select through discussion and voting. New half-day camp options are also available for younger children or those with afternoon commitments.
Beyond the scheduled programs, The Yoga Shack demonstrates a clear commitment to accessibility. The business model involves renting spaces from schools, non-profits, and other camps to keep overhead low and infuse money into the local economy. They explicitly offer partial or full scholarships, allowing families to utilize one per year if the suggested pricing doesn’t fit their budget. This practical support extends the studio’s inclusive philosophy into its financial operations. Visitors do not mention specific drop-in rates, class passes, or memberships for adults, as the services are exclusively for youth and require registration. The focus is on creating small group settings where themes of autonomy within community and nervous system regulation are practiced. The teacher emphasizes that while asanas (poses) are included, they honor all eight limbs of yoga through play, positioning the physical practice as just one part of a holistic approach.
The Guiding Philosophy and Community Impact
The heart of The Yoga Shack is its founder and lead teacher, Toni Spruell. A Colorado-certified classroom and PE teacher and a RYT 500 registered yoga teacher, she has been leading kids yoga in Fort Collins since 2013, in diverse settings from schools to farms. Her personal journey through breast cancer and the creation of the original Yoga Shack space informs a teaching practice she describes as failing forward everyday. Visitors consistently highlight her positive and affirming nature. One person notes she is so positive and affirming- encouraging her creativity and self regulation, while another appreciates how she facilitates fun filled games that keep the kids engaged and learning through movement and reflection. This feedback points to a teaching style that successfully blends fun, creativity, and mindful education.
The studio’s impact is felt in the enthusiastic return intentions of families, with one visitor stating, We can’t wait to sign up again! While visitors do not mention amenities like showers, lockers, or a retail boutique—likely because classes are held in various rented community spaces—the emphasis is squarely on the experiential quality. The business fosters connection through a mailing list that offers a $20 coupon code and news updates, and it runs a refer friends program. Additional initiatives like a Traveling Yoga Shack and a Shop for Charity further embed it in the local fabric. For families in Fort Collins seeking a yoga center that goes beyond physical postures to nurture a child’s social-emotional growth, creativity, and sense of community through play and choice, The Yoga Shack presents a unique and thoughtfully crafted option. It stands as a testament to how a yoga practice can be a vibrant, inclusive, and joyful practice for the youngest members of the community.