Traci Manuel, co-owner of Yardley, PA-based Virgo III LTD (asi/352485), has released a new book that introduces children to the world of yoga.

Gina Explores Nature: Lessons from a Magical Mat is the story of Gina, a student, finding an escape from her busy life by practicing yoga. Gina’s magical mat takes her and her mother to Nature, where they learn the discipline from animals and other elements. Gina and her mother also learn powerful life lessons that grow their relationship.

A 35-year industry veteran, Manuel discovered yoga as a respite from the daily grind of being a distributor in the digital age. “It was the only thing I did that wasn’t work,” she told Counselor. “It became a way to find physical and emotional balance.”

After graduating from Temple University, Manuel had intended to go to law school, but a different opportunity emerged from her mother’s business. Anne, her mother, was selling corporate jewelry when customers began asking for promotional products. At the time, a semi-retired industry veteran offered to place the orders and take 50% of the sales. Manuel thought that was ludicrous, and decided to go into business with her mom. She attended as many tradeshows as possible, learning about direct importing before eventually setting up offices in China to serve their global clients.

“It’s tough to this day,” Manuel says. “I still work seven days a week, sometimes 20-hour days. I’m always trying to get further educated on production and engineering because competition is so tough. I’m competing with factories that sell direct to clients.”

With yoga bringing her such peace of mind, she figured it would also be helpful to today’s youth. Gen Z has much more on their plate than her generation did, Manuel says, with the pressures of social media, helicopter parents, competing to get into schools and other issues. “Children are feeling depressed, anxious and simply not good enough,” she says. “They need help now more than ever with dealing with all that stress. Yoga teaches you gratitude, breathing and balance. It’s more about ethics and how you treat people.”

Manuel says feedback to the book has been tremendous so far, and she’s already working on a sequel. Recommended for ages 9-12 or grades 3-6, Gina Explores Nature: Lessons from a Magical Mat is available on Amazon.