Philippa Home

Before joining Kalma Life, I worked as a primary school teacher. While I loved working with children and helping them learn and grow, I increasingly found myself frustrated by the lack of flexibility that came with the role.

Like many teachers, I spent countless hours planning, marking and preparing outside of school hours. The workload often followed me home, and I found myself constantly counting down to weekends and school holidays just to have time to breathe. I wanted more freedom, more balance and more quality time with my family.

The breaking point wasn’t one specific moment, but rather the realisation that I didn’t want to spend years wishing my life away—only looking forward to the next holiday or the next break. I wanted a career that still allowed me to make a positive impact on children while giving me more control over my time and priorities.

Philippa leading a Kalma Life children’s yoga class in Teesside.

I first discovered Kalma Life as a parent. I attended baby yoga classes with my daughter during maternity leave and absolutely loved the experience.

When it came time to return to teaching, I couldn’t stop thinking about the positive impact those classes had on both children and parents. At the same time, I knew I wanted something different for myself and my family.

Starting a business felt daunting. If I’m honest, I never saw myself as a “businesswoman”. The idea of building something from scratch felt risky and overwhelming.

What attracted me to Kalma Life was that I wasn’t starting completely alone. The franchise model gave me the support, systems, training and established brand that I needed to build confidence while still creating something that was my own.

I also loved that Kalma Life offered so much more than baby classes. The opportunities to work in schools, nurseries and community settings meant there was huge potential for growth and variety. Most importantly, it offered the work-life balance I was desperately looking for and the chance to create a career around my family rather than fitting my family around my career.

I could also see first-hand the difference yoga and mindfulness could make to children’s wellbeing, emotional development and confidence. Being part of that felt incredibly meaningful.

The training process was fantastic.

I spent time training in person with Vicky at HQ and had multiple opportunities to shadow experienced instructors. It never felt overwhelming or like traditional training. Instead, I was constantly learning through real experiences, observation and support.

One of the most valuable things during those early months was knowing that HQ was always there when I needed guidance. Whether it was a question about classes, marketing, schools or business growth, there was always someone willing to help.

Being introduced to the wider Kalma Life network was also incredibly reassuring. Regular Zoom meetings and connecting with other franchisees meant I never felt alone. There was always somebody who had experienced the same challenges and could offer advice.

I actually spent a few months before a full launch, training and promoting my territory while still working as a teacher. This allowed me to build awareness and confidence before launching my classes immediately after Christmas 2024.

Today I run between 7 and 9 community classes each week, depending on venue availability and demand, alongside delivering sessions in schools and nursery settings.

One of the biggest surprises has been how quickly the business grew. Not long after launching, an opportunity arose to purchase a second territory. It was a scary decision at the time, but one I simply couldn’t turn down.

As the business continued to expand, I reached the point where I needed to hire staff. Taking that step felt nerve-wracking, but it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. Having a team around me allows me to focus on growing the business, developing new opportunities and creating an even bigger impact in the community.

The difference in my day-to-day life compared to teaching is huge.

I now have the flexibility to do most school drop-offs and pick-ups. I can attend school events, sports days, performances and family activities without needing to ask for permission or feel guilty.

I can meet friends for coffee while they’re on maternity leave. I can run errands during the week rather than cramming everything into weekends. If I want to put my laptop away in the evening and spend quality time with my family, I can.

There are still busy periods, of course, but I finally feel in control of my schedule rather than my schedule controlling me.

The most rewarding part of teaching Kalma Life classes is seeing the connection between children and their parents or caregivers.

Watching a parent completely switch off from the outside world and spend quality, uninterrupted time with their child is incredibly special.

The simple moments are often the most memorable—seeing a baby smile for the first time during a class, hearing a toddler giggle during a yoga adventure, or watching a parent leave feeling calmer and more connected than when they arrived.

Knowing you’ve played a small part in creating those moments never gets old.

“If you’re sitting on the fence, my advice is simple: trust yourself and take the leap.

It’s a big decision and it can feel scary, but the support within Kalma Life is incredible. You’re never expected to figure everything out on your own.

Owning a Kalma Life franchise has given me flexibility, fulfilment, confidence and opportunities I never imagined possible. I’m genuinely proud of myself for taking that step, and I’ve learnt so much about who I am and what I’m capable of along the way.”