Scarecrows and autumn go hand-in-hand, so bring the fun of the farm right into your yoga classes with these scarecrow-themed games and activities: Scarecrow Pose: Let's start with the basics, Scarecrow pose! While it isn't a "traditional" posture in the yoga...
All of us are bombarded with advertisements, pressured to always gather more, and are rarely satisfied by simply being. This is especially true for our children, as they may not yet have the ability to filter through the materialistic messages; instead, their "need"...
Here in the northern hemisphere, we are stepping deeper into the autumn season. The temperature changes, the colors change and the daylight changes all affect our children in obvious and subtle ways. Let's help them embrace the inevitability of change and the beauty...
*Today's guest blogger is Whitney, 15 year old daughter of a "hippie yoga mom" My mom is a hippie yoga mom. She wears flowy pants, burns incense, makes BBQ jackfruit, and even has a bobblehead Hotei on the dashboard of her car (I thought it was a Buddha; I was quickly...
Have you heard the story There Was an Old Monster by Rebecca Emberly? It's written in the same pattern as the old classic, There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly, but in this version, the monster swallows a tick which starts a cascade of problems for him. With its...
*Most of these activities can be modified easily for virtual classes.* Halloween is often a very exciting time of year for children. Between the spooky decorations, the piles of candy, and the pressure of choosing the perfect costume, kids can get pretty wound up....
When you think of October, chances are you think of pumpkins! Whether as a fall-specific spice, a fun Jack O'Lantern craft, a tasty pie, or a festive decoration, pumpkins are synonymous with fall. So take that seasonal energy to your yoga mat with some...
Teaching Kids Yoga is not usually a formal affair, but neckties are certainly encouraged in my classes! I love using props in both my children and adult yoga classes, and neckties are a fun, creative prop that naturally leads to a fun, creative practice. I started...
Are your little yogis fans of Thomas the Tank Engine? How about the movie Cars? Do they dream of flying planes or exploring the ocean in a submarine? Capture their imaginations and attention with a whole yoga class based on transportation! Feet: Our basic mode of...
“For real change to take place, the body needs to learn that the danger has passed and to live in the reality of the present.” -Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D. from The Body Keeps the Score The basic elements of a yoga practice (movement, breath work, and meditation) help...
Looking for a way to get some of the "too cool" kids interested in yoga? You know the ones - they think yoga is easy or just for hippies. Challenge them to try yoga by grabbing their interest - and sports may just be the ticket! First, you aren't just going to sit...
Mudras, the elaborate hand and finger gestures used in many Yoga and Ayurvedic traditions, are effective and simple tools to employ for self-soothing, energizing, settling emotions, and focusing. Like little yoga poses for your hands, mudras make use of the energy,...
Swami Vidyananda said breath control is "your most portable form of stress management." In a yoga practice, the art of controlling your breath is known as pranayama. "Prana" is your energy and life force. "Ayama" simply means control. So Prana +Ayama = controlling our...
Admit it – there are days when your kids are wild with energy. Maybe they’ve been stuck inside, hiding from nasty weather. Or, they spent their entire school day having to sit still. And all you want them to do is calm down before they destroy your house! Tap into...
We all know that a yoga practice builds strength, flexibility, and co-ordination. Did you know you can also use the ancient practice to build literacy skills for even our youngest yogis? Yoga teaches sequential thinking and planning: Listening to and following...
Watch at your leisure!
Watch at your leisure!
