Phoenix Giselle Hicks was teaching yoga before most kids her age had even started kindergarten.

At just 5 years and 337 days old, the Houston native became the world’s youngest female yoga instructor after completing a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training course, Guinness World Records reports. Her achievement was officially recognized on June 22, 2025.

Phoenix’s love for yoga started almost from the beginning. Guinness reports that she attended her first “Mommy and Me” yoga class with her mother, Sydney, at just three months old. By age four, she was keeping up with more advanced sessions and eventually began teaching alongside her mom.

Becoming certified was no small task.

Phoenix was the only child in a class full of adults and completed the same kind of work expected in teacher training, including studying anatomy, reading books, taking daily classes, writing assignments, completing practice teaching hours, and attending a 10-day immersion.

Now, she leads yoga classes for children and adults in Houston and continues to teach alongside her mom. Phoenix told Guinness that teaching makes her feel proud because she gets to help people find calm and relaxation.

Her work has also grown beyond the yoga mat. Phoenix is featured as one of the Young Achievers in Guinness World Records 2027, and her official site says she is also the founder and CEO of Zen Kids Global, a youth wellness and lifestyle brand focused on mindfulness, creativity, and community.

She has even written a children’s book, Breathe, which introduces young readers to mindfulness, intentional breathing, and emotional wellness. Guinness also notes that Phoenix has used the book during yoga and mindfulness activities with other children.

For Phoenix, age has never been a reason to wait.

“I am so grateful to inspire kids around the world to follow their dreams no matter how young they are,” she told Guinness World Records.

At an age when most children are still figuring out what they want to be, Phoenix Giselle Hicks is already showing them what can happen when you start dreaming early.